reclutar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
reclutar — to recruit
The imperfect subjunctive (reclutara/reclutase) is for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
reclutar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
You use the imperfect subjunctive with 'reclutar' for hypothetical situations in the past, polite requests, or to express wishes that didn't happen. It often appears in 'if' clauses, like 'If I were to recruit more people, we would finish faster.'
Notes on reclutar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Reclutar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si yo reclutara más personal, el proyecto avanzaría más rápido.
If I recruited more staff, the project would move faster.
yo
Quisiera que tú reclutaras a alguien con experiencia en logística.
I wish you would recruit someone with logistics experience.
tú
Sería genial si él reclutara a un diseñador gráfico.
It would be great if he recruited a graphic designer.
él/ella/usted
Nos pidieron que reclutáramos a los mejores candidatos.
They asked us to recruit the best candidates.
nosotros
Dudaba que ustedes reclutaran personal nuevo este año.
I doubted that you all would recruit new staff this year.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: Use 'Si yo reclutara...' not 'Si yo recluté...'.
Why: Hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions in the past require the imperfect subjunctive.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using incorrect endings.
Correct: Ensure you use correct endings for both forms, e.g., 'reclutara' (yo) vs 'reclutaras' (tú).
Why: Each pronoun has a specific ending for both the -ra and -se forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: recluto
Use the present tense 'recluto', 'reclutas', 'recluta', 'reclutamos', 'reclutáis', 'reclutan' for current or habitual recruiting actions.
Preterite
yo: recluté
The preterite of reclutar is regular: recluté, reclutaste, reclutó, reclutamos, reclutasteis, reclutaron.
Imperfect
yo: reclutaba
The imperfect of reclutar (reclutaba, reclutabas, etc.) describes past habits or ongoing actions.
Future
yo: reclutaré
The future tense 'reclutaré', 'reclutarás', etc., indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: reclutaría
The conditional 'reclutaría', 'reclutarías', etc., expresses 'would' actions or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: reclute
Use 'reclute', 'reclutes', 'reclutemos', 'recluten' after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: recluta
Use 'recluta', 'reclute', 'reclutemos', 'reclutad', 'recluten' for direct commands with reclutar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no reclutes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: no reclutes, no reclute, no reclutemos, no reclutéis, no recluten.