postular Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

This tense is great for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, or in polite requests that refer to a past context. For example, 'Ojalá postulara a ese puesto' (I wish he would apply for that position) or 'Si postulara, creo que lo conseguiría' (If he applied, I think he would get it).

Notes on postular in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Postular is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You form it by taking the stem 'postul-' and adding the imperfect subjunctive endings (-ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran). The -ra and -se forms are interchangeable, but -ra is often preferred.

Example Sentences

• Si yo postulara a más trabajos, tendría más opciones.

  If I applied for more jobs, I would have more options.

  yo

• Me gustaría que tú postularas a la universidad.

  I would like you to apply to the university.

  tú

• Ellos actuarían mejor si postularan con más preparación.

  They would act better if they applied with more preparation.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

• Ojalá postuláramos a ese programa juntos.

  I wish we would apply to that program together.

  nosotros

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with preterite or imperfect indicative.

  Correct: Use imperfect subjunctive for hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts in the past, often with 'si' (if) or 'ojalá' (I wish).

  Why: The indicative tenses describe facts or realities, while the subjunctive expresses non-factual or emotional states.

• Mistake: Using the wrong ending, like 'postulase' when 'postulara' is needed.

  Correct: Both 'postulara' and 'postulase' (and their variants) are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.

  Why: Spanish has two sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive (-ra/-ras/-ra/-ramos/-rais/-ran and -se/-ses/-se/-semos/-seis/-sen), which are interchangeable.

Related Tenses