pensar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
pensar — to think
The imperfect subjunctive of pensar is based on the preterite: pensara, pensaras, pensara, pensáramos, pensarais, pensaran.
pensar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If I thought that...') or when the main verb is in the past and requires the subjunctive.
Notes on pensar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Since the preterite of pensar is regular, the imperfect subjunctive is also regular. No stem change occurs.
Example Sentences
Si yo pensara eso, te lo diría.
If I thought that, I would tell you.
yo
Me gustaría que pensaras en mi propuesta.
I would like you to think about my proposal.
tú
Era necesario que pensáramos en un plan B.
It was necessary that we thought of a plan B.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the 'ie' stem: 'piensara'.
Correct: pensara
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is built from the 3rd person plural preterite (pensaron), which does not have a stem change.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: pienso
Pensar is a stem-changing verb (e > ie) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
yo: pensé
The preterite of pensar is regular: pensé, pensaste, pensó, pensamos, pensasteis, pensaron.
Imperfect
yo: pensaba
The imperfect of pensar is regular: pensaba, pensabas, pensaba, pensábamos, pensabais, pensaban.
Future
yo: pensaré
The future of pensar is regular: pensaré, pensarás, pensará, pensaremos, pensaréis, pensarán.
Conditional
yo: pensaría
The conditional of pensar is regular: pensaría, pensarías, pensaría, pensaríamos, pensaríais, pensarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: piense
The present subjunctive of pensar follows the e > ie stem change: piense, pienses, piense, pensemos, penséis, piensen.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: piensa
The imperative uses the 'ie' stem for most commands: piensa, piense, pensemos, pensad, piensen.
Negative Imperative
yo: no pienses
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no pienses, no piense, no pensemos, no penséis, no piensen.