parecer Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
parecer — to seem
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'parecie-' stem: pareciera, parecieras, pareciera, pareciéramos, parecierais, parecieran.
parecer Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If it seemed...') or after past-tense expressions of doubt or emotion.
Notes on parecer in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is formed from the third-person plural preterite (parecieron), dropping the -ron and adding the subjunctive endings.
Example Sentences
Si pareciera más joven, tendría el papel.
If he looked younger, he would have the role.
él/ella/usted
Me pidió que no pareciera tan triste.
He asked me not to seem so sad.
yo
Ojalá pareciera más fácil.
I wish it seemed easier.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'parezca' in a past context.
Correct: Use 'pareciera'.
Why: The present subjunctive cannot be used if the main verb of the sentence is in the past.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: parezco
Parecer is irregular only in the 'yo' form (parezco); all other forms are regular.
Preterite
yo: parecí
Parecer is regular in the preterite: parecí, pareciste, pareció, parecimos, parecisteis, parecieron.
Imperfect
yo: parecía
Parecer is regular in the imperfect: parecía, parecías, parecía, parecíamos, parecíais, parecían.
Future
yo: pareceré
The future tense of parecer is regular: pareceré, parecerás, parecerá, pareceremos, pareceréis, parecerán.
Conditional
yo: parecería
The conditional of parecer is regular: parecería, parecerías, parecería, pareceríamos, pareceríais, parecerían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: parezca
The present subjunctive uses the 'parezc-' stem: parezca, parezcas, parezca, parezcamos, parezcáis, parezcan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: parece
The imperative for parecer is rarely used, but follows standard rules: parece, parezca, parezcamos, pareced, parezcan.
Negative Imperative
yo: no parezcas
The negative imperative always uses the 'zc' stem: no parezcas, no parezca, no parezcamos, no parezcáis, no parezcan.