pretender Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
pretender — to intend
The imperfect subjunctive of pretender has two forms for each pronoun: pretendiera/pretendiese, pretendieras/pretendieses, etc.
pretender Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations, wishes, doubts, or emotions in the past. It's common in 'if' clauses describing unreal conditions.
Notes on pretender in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Pretender is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Si pretendiera ser rico, compraría un yate.
If I pretended to be rich, I would buy a yacht.
yo
Me gustaría que no pretendieras molestarme.
I wish you wouldn't pretend to bother me.
tú
Era importante que él pretendiera estar enfermo.
It was important that he pretended to be sick.
él/ella/usted
Dudábamos que pretendieran aceptarnos.
We doubted they would try to accept us.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Si pretendieseis ser actores, necesitaríais clases.
If you (plural, informal) pretended to be actors, you would need classes.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or unreal past situations, use forms like 'pretendiera' or 'pretendiese'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for these types of clauses.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the -ra forms.
Correct: Remember the accent on forms like 'pretendiera' and 'pretendieras'.
Why: The accent indicates the stressed syllable and distinguishes these forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: pretendo
The present indicative of pretender is: pretendo, pretendes, pretende, pretendemos, pretendéis, pretenden.
Preterite
yo: pretendí
The preterite of pretender is regular: pretendí, pretendiste, pretendió, pretendimos, pretendisteis, pretendieron.
Imperfect
yo: pretendía
The imperfect of pretender is: pretendía, pretendías, pretendía, pretendíamos, pretendíais, pretendían.
Future
yo: pretenderé
The future tense of pretender uses the infinitive stem: pretenderé, pretenderás, pretenderá, pretenderemos, pretenderéis, pretenderán.
Conditional
yo: pretendería
The conditional of pretender is: pretendería, pretenderías, pretendería, pretenderíamos, pretenderíais, pretenderían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: pretenda
The present subjunctive of pretender is: pretenda (yo/él/ella/usted), pretendamos (nosotros), pretendáis (vosotros), pretendan (ellos/ellas/ustedes).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: pretende
Imperative forms of pretender are: pretende (tú), pretenda (usted), pretendamos (nosotros), pretended (vosotros), pretendan (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no pretendas
Negative commands for pretender use the present subjunctive: no pretendas (tú), no pretenda (usted), no pretendamos (nosotros), no pretendáis (vosotros), no pretendan (ustedes).