ponerse Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
ponerse — to put on
The imperfect subjunctive uses the preterite 'pus-' stem: me pusiera, te pusieras, se pusiera.
ponerse Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical 'if' situations (e.g., 'If I put on that suit...') or after past-tense verbs of influence.
Notes on ponerse in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is always derived from the 3rd person plural of the preterite (pusieron), so it uses the 'pus-' stem.
Example Sentences
Si me pusiera ese vestido, me vería fatal.
If I were to put on that dress, I would look terrible.
yo
Me pidió que me pusiera la mascarilla.
He asked me to put on the mask.
yo
Si se pusieran las pilas, terminarían pronto.
If they got their act together (put in the batteries), they would finish soon.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'poniera' or 'poniese'.
Correct: Pusiera / Pusiese.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive must match the irregular stem of the preterite.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me pongo
Ponerse is irregular only in the 'yo' form (me pongo); the rest follow regular -er patterns.
Preterite
yo: me puse
The preterite of ponerse uses the irregular 'pus-' stem: me puse, te pusiste, se puso, nos pusimos, os pusisteis, se pusieron.
Imperfect
yo: me ponía
Ponerse is completely regular in the imperfect: me ponía, te ponías, se ponía.
Future
yo: me pondré
The future of ponerse uses the irregular stem 'pondr-': me pondré, te pondrás, se pondrá.
Conditional
yo: me pondría
The conditional uses the same irregular stem as the future: 'pondr-'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: me ponga
The subjunctive builds off the 'yo' form 'pongo', resulting in: me ponga, te pongas, se ponga.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: ponte
The informal command is 'ponte', while others use the 'pong-' stem (póngase, pongámonos).
Negative Imperative
yo: no te pongas
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no te pongas, no se ponga.