rehusar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
rehusar — to refuse
The imperfect subjunctive of 'rehusar' (rehusara/rehusase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
rehusar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for past situations that were uncertain, hypothetical, or expressed a wish or emotion. Think 'if I had refused' or 'I wish he would refuse'.
Notes on rehusar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Rehusar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (rehusara, rehusaras, etc.) or the -se form (rehusase, rehusases, etc.). The -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo hubiera tenido la opción, habría rehusado.
If I had had the option, I would have refused.
yo
Me pidió que no rehusara su oferta.
He asked me not to refuse his offer.
yo
Ellos dudaban que tú rehusaras el dinero.
They doubted that you would refuse the money.
tú
Ojalá él rehusara intervenir.
I wish he would refuse to intervene.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For past hypotheticals or wishes, use 'rehusara' or 'rehusase', not 'rehusó'.
Why: The preterite indicates a completed action, while the imperfect subjunctive deals with uncertainty or hypothetical situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'rehusara' and 'rehusase' are correct, but 'rehusara' is generally more common.
Why: These are two valid sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: rehúso
The present tense of 'rehusar' is regular: rehúso, rehúsas, rehúsa, rehusamos, rehusáis, rehúsan.
Preterite
yo: rehusé
The preterite of 'rehusar' is regular: rehusé, rehusaste, rehusó, rehusamos, rehusasteis, rehusaron.
Imperfect
yo: rehusaba
The imperfect of 'rehusar' is regular: rehusaba, rehusabas, rehusaba, rehusábamos, rehusabais, rehusaban.
Future
yo: rehusaré
The future tense of 'rehusar' is regular: rehusaré, rehusarás, rehusará, rehusaremos, rehusaréis, rehusarán.
Conditional
yo: rehusaría
The conditional of 'rehusar' is regular: rehusaría, rehusarías, rehusaría, rehusaríamos, rehusaríais, rehusarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: rehúse
The present subjunctive of 'rehusar' (rehúse, rehúses, etc.) expresses doubt, desire, or emotion about refusing.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: rehúsa
Rehúsa (tú) and rehusad (vosotros) are the irregular commands for 'rehusar'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no rehúses
Negative commands for 'rehusar' use 'no' + the present subjunctive.