privar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
privar — to deprive
Use 'privara' or 'privase' (yo/él/ella/usted) for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
privar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about past hypothetical situations, wishes, or conditions that might not have happened. For example, 'Si yo tuviera el dinero, no te privaría de nada' (If I had the money, I wouldn't deprive you of anything). It often appears after 'si' (if) or in dependent clauses expressing doubt or desire.
Notes on privar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Privar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., privara/privase, privaras/privases), with -ra being more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si él pudiera, no nos privara de su ayuda.
If he could, he wouldn't deprive us of his help.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá no nos privasen de esa oportunidad.
I wish they wouldn't deprive us of that opportunity.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Yo no te privaría de nada si tuviera más recursos.
I wouldn't deprive you of anything if I had more resources.
yo
Era importante que vosotros no privarais de vuestra opinión.
It was important that you (plural, informal) not be deprived of your opinion.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For past hypotheticals or wishes, use 'privara' or 'privase', not 'privó'.
Why: The preterite describes completed past actions, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with hypothetical or unreal situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms incorrectly.
Correct: Ensure you use consistent endings, like 'privara' for yo/él/ella/usted, or 'privase' for the same persons.
Why: While both sets of endings are correct, mixing them within the same sentence or clause can sound odd.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: privo
Use 'privo' (yo) and 'privan' (they) for current actions or general truths about depriving.
Preterite
yo: privé
The preterite of 'privar' is regular: privé, privaste, privó, privamos, privasteis, privaron.
Imperfect
yo: privaba
Use 'privaba' (he/she/it) for ongoing or habitual past deprivation.
Future
yo: privaré
Use 'privaré' (I will deprive) and 'privarán' (they will deprive) for future actions.
Conditional
yo: privaría
Use 'privaría' (I would deprive) for hypotheticals or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: prive
Use 'prive' (yo/él/ella/usted) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: priva
Use 'priva' (tú) and other forms like 'prive' (usted) for direct commands with 'privar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no prives
Use 'no prives' (tú) and other forms like 'no prive' (usted) for negative commands.