perseguir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
perseguir — to chase
The imperfect subjunctive is based on the third-person preterite stem: persiguiera.
perseguir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for past-tense 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If I pursued him...') or when a past desire influenced an action.
Notes on perseguir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Since it is derived from the third-person preterite (persiguieron), it keeps the 'i' stem change and the 'u' throughout all forms.
Example Sentences
Si yo persiguiera ese coche, me metería en problemas.
If I were to chase that car, I would get into trouble.
yo
Me gustaría que ellos persiguieran sus talentos.
I would like them to pursue their talents.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Si nos persiguieran, tendríamos que correr.
If they chased us, we would have to run.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: perseguiera
Correct: persiguiera
Why: You must use the 'i' stem change because this tense is built from the preterite 'persiguieron'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: persigo
Perseguir has an 'e > i' stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros, plus a 'go' ending in the 'yo' form.
Preterite
yo: perseguí
Perseguir has a third-person stem change (e > i) in the preterite: persiguió and persiguieron.
Imperfect
yo: perseguía
Perseguir is regular in the imperfect: perseguía, perseguías, perseguía...
Future
yo: perseguiré
Perseguir is regular in the future tense: just add endings to the full infinitive.
Conditional
yo: perseguiría
The conditional of perseguir is regular: add -ía endings to the infinitive.
Present Subjunctive
yo: persiga
The present subjunctive uses the 'persig-' stem: persiga, persigas, persiga...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: persigue
Use 'persigue' (tú) or 'persiga' (usted) to tell someone to go after something.
Negative Imperative
yo: no persigas
Negative commands always use the present subjunctive: no persigas, no persiga.