recurrir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
recurrir — to turn to
The imperfect subjunctive 'recurrira' or 'recurrriera' is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
recurrir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, or making very polite requests. For 'recurrir', it might be used in a sentence like 'If I had known, I would have turned to my parents for help.'
Notes on recurrir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Recurrir is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., 'recurrira' or 'recurrriera'). The -ra form is generally more common in spoken Spanish.
Example Sentences
Si hubiera sabido, habría recurrido a ti.
If I had known, I would have turned to you.
yo
Me preguntó si podía recurrir a su ayuda.
He asked me if he could turn to his help.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá recurrieran a soluciones pacíficas.
I wish they would resort to peaceful solutions.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Te pedí que no recurrieras a ese método.
I asked you not to resort to that method.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For past hypotheticals or wishes, use forms like 'recurrira' or 'recurrriera'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for hypothetical or non-factual clauses.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the '-ra' or '-se' forms.
Correct: Forms like 'recurríera' or 'recurríese' need the accent.
Why: The accent marks the stressed syllable in these forms.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: recurro
The present tense 'recurro' is used for habitual actions or things happening now.
Preterite
yo: recurrí
The preterite of 'recurrir' is regular: 'recurrí', 'recurriste', 'recurrió', 'recorrimos', 'recurristeis', 'recurrieron'.
Imperfect
yo: recurría
The imperfect 'recurría' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of turning to something/someone.
Future
yo: recurriré
The future tense 'recurriré' expresses future actions or probability.
Conditional
yo: recurriría
The conditional 'recurriría' is used for hypotheticals, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: recurra
The present subjunctive 'recurra' is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: recurre
Use 'recurre' (tú) and 'recurra' (usted) for direct commands with 'recurrir'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no recurras
Use 'no recurras' (tú) and 'no recurra' (usted) for negative commands with 'recurrir'.