ostentar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
ostentar — to show off
The imperfect subjunctive 'ostentara' or 'ostentase' is for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
ostentar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of 'ostentar' when talking about hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past. It often appears in 'if' clauses or after expressions of desire or emotion related to the past.
Notes on ostentar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive of 'ostentar' is regular, with two forms for each person: the -ra form (e.g., 'ostentara') and the -se form (e.g., 'ostentase'). The -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo ostentara más poder, cambiaría las cosas.
If I were to show off more power, I would change things.
yo
Me gustaría que ella ostentara menos y ayudara más.
I would like her to show off less and help more.
Ellos actuarían diferente si no ostentaran tanta vanidad.
They would act differently if they didn't show off so much vanity.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá ostentáramos más humildad en nuestras acciones.
I wish we showed off more humility in our actions.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative ('ostentaba') instead of the imperfect subjunctive in a hypothetical 'if' clause.
Correct: For hypothetical situations, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si ostentara...'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for conditions contrary to fact or hypothetical scenarios.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'a' in the 'nosotros' form, writing 'ostentamos' instead of 'ostentáramos'.
Correct: The correct 'nosotros' form is 'ostentáramos'.
Why: The accent is necessary to indicate the correct pronunciation and distinguish it from other verb forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: ostento
The present tense 'ostento' describes habitual actions or things happening now.
Preterite
yo: ostenté
The preterite of 'ostentar' is regular: ostenté, ostentaste, ostentó, ostentamos, ostentasteis, ostentaron.
Imperfect
yo: ostentaba
The imperfect 'ostentaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of showing off.
Future
yo: ostentaré
The future tense 'ostentaré' talks about will happen, or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: ostentaría
The conditional 'ostentaría' expresses hypotheticals ('would show off') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: ostente
Use 'ostente' or 'ostentes' after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: ostenta
Commands like 'ostenta' (you singular) or 'ostenten' (you plural) are used for direct orders with ostentar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no ostentes
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'no ostentes' (don't show off), 'no ostenten' (don't show off).