preferir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
preferir — to prefer
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'prefir-' stem (prefiriera, prefirieras).
preferir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this in 'if' clauses (hypotheticals) or when the main verb is in the past.
Notes on preferir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is built from the third-person plural preterite (prefirieron), so the stem is always 'prefir-'.
Example Sentences
Si yo prefiriera el frío, viviría en Alaska.
If I preferred the cold, I would live in Alaska.
yo
Me gustaría que ellos prefirieran mi propuesta.
I would like them to prefer my proposal.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the 'e' stem: 'preferiera'.
Correct: The correct form is prefiriera.
Why: This tense always follows the stem change of the preterite 'basement' forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: prefiero
Preferir is an e-to-ie stem-changer in the present tense (yo prefiero, tú prefieres).
Preterite
yo: preferí
Preferir has a small 'e' to 'i' stem change only in the third-person forms (él prefirió, ellos prefirieron).
Imperfect
yo: prefería
Preferir is completely regular in the imperfect: prefería, preferías, prefería...
Future
yo: preferiré
The future tense is regular: just add endings to the infinitive (preferiré, preferirás).
Conditional
yo: preferiría
The conditional is regular and uses the infinitive: preferiría, preferirías, etc.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prefiera
The present subjunctive changes 'e' to 'ie' in most forms, but 'e' to 'i' in nosotros and vosotros.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prefiere
The imperative uses 'prefiere' for tú and 'prefiera' for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no prefieras
Negative commands always use the present subjunctive forms (no prefieras, no prefiera).