preparar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
preparar — to prepare
The imperfect subjunctive of preparar is formed from the preterite stem: preparara, prepararas, preparara, preparáramos, prepararais, prepararan.
preparar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for past-tense triggers of the subjunctive or in 'if' clauses (e.g., 'If I prepared the food...').
Notes on preparar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Preparar is regular. The stem comes from the 3rd person plural preterite 'prepararon', dropping the '-on'.
Example Sentences
Si yo preparara la cena, ¿tú lavarías los platos?
If I prepared dinner, would you wash the dishes?
yo
Me gustaría que ellos prepararan el viaje.
I would like them to prepare the trip.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Era necesario que nosotros preparáramos el examen.
It was necessary that we prepared for the exam.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: preparamos (in a subjunctive context)
Correct: preparáramos
Why: Learners often use the indicative instead of the required subjunctive in hypothetical 'if' clauses.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'preparar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: preparo
The present tense of preparar is regular: preparo, preparas, prepara, preparamos, preparáis, preparan.
Preterite
yo: preparé
The preterite of preparar is regular: preparé, preparaste, preparó, preparamos, preparasteis, prepararon.
Imperfect
yo: preparaba
The imperfect of preparar uses the regular -aba endings: preparaba, preparabas, preparaba, preparábamos, preparabais, preparaban.
Future
yo: prepararé
The future of preparar adds endings to the infinitive: prepararé, prepararás, preparará, prepararemos, prepararéis, prepararán.
Conditional
yo: prepararía
The conditional of preparar is regular: prepararía, prepararías, prepararía, prepararíamos, prepararíais, prepararían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prepare
The present subjunctive of preparar changes the -a to -e: prepare, prepares, prepare, preparemos, preparéis, preparen.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prepara
The affirmative imperative of preparar gives commands: prepara (tú), prepare (usted), preparad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no prepares
The negative imperative of preparar uses the present subjunctive: no prepares, no prepare, no preparemos, no preparéis, no preparen.