opinar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
opinar — to think
The imperfect subjunctive ('opinara', 'opinaras', 'opinara', 'opináramos', 'opinarais', 'opinaran') is for past hypotheticals or wishes.
opinar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or polite requests in the past. It's often found in 'if' clauses or after expressions of emotion or uncertainty that refer to the past.
Notes on opinar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The verb 'opinar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but the -ra form is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo opinara diferente, te lo habría dicho.
If I thought differently, I would have told you.
yo
Me gustaría que tú opinaras lo mismo.
I would like you to think the same way.
tú
Era importante que él opinara con honestidad.
It was important that he gave his honest opinion.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá ellos opinaran que es una buena idea.
Hopefully, they would think it's a good idea.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use 'opinara' for hypotheticals or wishes, not 'opinaba'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive expresses unreality or non-factual situations, while the imperfect indicative describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Using the -se form when the -ra form is expected or vice-versa in certain regions.
Correct: While both are correct, 'opinara' is often more common than 'opinase'.
Why: Regional preferences and formality can dictate the use of -ra vs. -se forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: opino
The present tense of 'opinar' is regular: opino, opinas, opina, opinamos, opináis, opinan.
Preterite
yo: opiné
The preterite of 'opinar' is regular: opiné, opinaste, opinó, opinamos, opinasteis, opinaron.
Imperfect
yo: opinaba
The imperfect of 'opinar' is regular: opinaba, opinabas, opinaba, opinábamos, opinabais, opinaban.
Future
yo: opinaré
The future tense of 'opinar' is regular: opinaré, opinarás, opinará, opinaremos, opinaréis, opinarán.
Conditional
yo: opinaría
The conditional of 'opinar' is regular: opinaría, opinarías, opinaría, opinaríamos, opinaríais, opinarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: opine
The present subjunctive ('opine', 'opines', 'opine', 'opinemos', 'opinen') is used for desires, doubts, emotions, and impersonal expressions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: opina
Use 'opina', 'opine', 'opinemos', 'opinen', 'opina'd' for direct commands with 'opinar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no opines
Negative commands like 'no opines', 'no opine', 'no opinemos', 'no opinen', 'no opinéis' use the present subjunctive.