reservar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
reservar — to book
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'reservara' or 'reservase' for past hypothetical or desired actions with reservar.
reservar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for 'what if' scenarios in the past, or expressing wishes and doubts that were relevant in the past. For 'reservar', think 'If only I *had booked* that flight...' or 'I wished you *would book* it differently.'
Notes on reservar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Reservar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the '-ra' form (e.g., 'reservara') or the '-se' form (e.g., 'reservase'); they are interchangeable.
Example Sentences
Si hubiera sabido, habría reservado un mejor hotel.
If I had known, I would have booked a better hotel.
yo
Ojalá tú reservaras los boletos a tiempo.
I wish you would book the tickets on time.
tú
Ellos actuaron como si ya hubieran reservado el salón.
They acted as if they had already booked the hall.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me gustaría que usted reservara una mesa para dos.
I would like you to book a table for two.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use imperfect subjunctive ('reservara') for hypothetical or wishful past thoughts.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive introduces uncertainty or desire, while the imperfect indicative describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Mistake: Using the '-ra' form when the '-se' form is needed (or vice-versa).
Correct: Both 'reservara' and 'reservase' are correct for 'I booked' in the imperfect subjunctive.
Why: The choice between '-ra' and '-se' is stylistic; they mean the same thing.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'reservar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: reservo
The present tense of reservar is regular: reservo, reservas, reserva, reservamos, reserváis, reservan.
Preterite
yo: reservé
The preterite of reservar is regular: reservé, reservaste, reservó, reservamos, reservasteis, reservaron.
Imperfect
yo: reservaba
The imperfect of reservar is regular: reservaba, reservabas, reservaba, reservábamos, reservabais, reservaban.
Future
yo: reservaré
The future tense of reservar is regular: reservaré, reservarás, reservará, reservaremos, reservaréis, reservarán.
Conditional
yo: reservaría
The conditional of reservar is regular: reservaría, reservarías, reservaría, reservaríamos, reservaríais, reservarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: reserve
Use present subjunctive forms like 'reserve' and 'reserven' after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion with reservar.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: reserva
Use imperative forms like 'reserva' (tú) and 'reserve' (usted) for direct commands with reservar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no reserves
Use 'no reserves' (tú) and 'no reserve' (usted) to give negative commands with reservar.