reclamar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
reclamar — to claim
Use 'reclamara' or 'reclamase' for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
reclamar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past, often in 'if' clauses or after expressions of emotion or desire. For 'reclamar', you might talk about wishing you *had claimed* something or what you would do if you *were to claim* something.
Notes on reclamar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Reclamar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (reclamara) or the -se form (reclamase), with -ra being more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si yo reclamara mis derechos, ¿qué pasaría?
If I were to claim my rights, what would happen?
yo
Ojalá él reclamara la herencia a tiempo.
I wish he would claim the inheritance on time.
él/ella/usted
Me pidieron que reclamáramos el error.
They asked us to claim the error.
nosotros
Dudaba que ustedes reclamaran la garantía.
I doubted that you all would claim the warranty.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or doubtful past situations, use the imperfect subjunctive forms like 'reclamara' or 'reclamase'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required to express non-factual or subjective situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'reclamara' and 'reclamase' are correct, but 'reclamara' is generally more common.
Why: While interchangeable in meaning, regional preferences exist.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'reclamar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: reclamo
Use 'reclamo' and 'reclaman' for current actions, habits, or general truths about claiming.
Preterite
yo: reclamé
The preterite of reclamar is regular: reclamé, reclamaste, reclamó, reclamamos, reclamasteis, reclamaron.
Imperfect
yo: reclamaba
Use 'reclamaba' for past habits or ongoing actions of claiming.
Future
yo: reclamaré
The future of reclamar is regular: reclamaré, reclamarás, reclamará, etc.
Conditional
yo: reclamaría
Use 'reclamaría' for hypothetical claims ('would claim').
Present Subjunctive
yo: reclame
Use 'reclame' or 'reclames' after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: reclama
Use 'reclama' for tú commands and 'reclamen' for ustedes/ellos commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no reclames
Negative commands use 'no' + the present subjunctive (e.g., 'no reclames', 'no reclamen').