prescindir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
prescindir — to do without
Use the imperfect subjunctive ('prescindiera' or 'prescindiese') for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
prescindir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for hypothetical situations in the past, or to express wishes, doubts, or polite requests related to past events or conditions. It often appears in 'si' (if) clauses.
Notes on prescindir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Prescindir is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (prescindiera) or the -se form (prescindiese), though -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo hubiera sabido, no habría prescindido de tu ayuda.
If I had known, I would not have done without your help.
yo
Quería que tú prescindieras de las distracciones.
I wanted you to do without the distractions.
tú
Él actuaría como si no hubiéramos prescindido de nada.
He would act as if we hadn't done without anything.
nosotros
Ojalá ellos no prescindieran de ese plan.
I wish they wouldn't do without that plan.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'prescindiera' or 'prescindiese' in hypothetical clauses, not 'prescindía'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for expressing unreal or hypothetical conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'prescindiera' and 'prescindiese' are correct, but be consistent.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, the -ra form is generally more frequent in spoken Spanish.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: prescindo
The present tense ('prescindo', 'prescindes') describes current actions or general truths about doing without things.
Preterite
yo: prescindí
The preterite of prescindir is regular: 'prescindí', 'prescindiste', 'prescindió', 'prescindimos', 'prescindisteis', 'prescindieron'.
Imperfect
yo: prescindía
The imperfect ('prescindía', 'prescindías') describes past habits or ongoing situations of doing without.
Future
yo: prescindiré
The future tense ('prescindiré', 'prescindirás') indicates actions of doing without that will happen later.
Conditional
yo: prescindiría
The conditional ('prescindiría', 'prescindirías') expresses hypotheticals like 'would do without'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prescinda
The present subjunctive ('prescinda', 'prescindas') follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: prescinde
Use imperative forms like 'prescinde' (tú) and 'prescinda' (usted) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no prescindas
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no prescindas' (tú) or 'no prescinda' (usted).