respaldar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
respaldar — to support
The imperfect subjunctive (respaldara/respaldase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
respaldar 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. It often appears in 'if' clauses.
Notes on respaldar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Respaldar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra form (respaldara) or the -se form (respaldase), with -ra being more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo te respaldara, ganaríamos.
If I supported you, we would win.
yo
Me gustaría que tú respaldaras mi trabajo.
I would like you to support my work.
tú
Él actuó como si lo respaldara todo el mundo.
He acted as if everyone supported him.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá ellos nos respaldaran más.
I wish they supported us more.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Sería genial si vosotros nos respaldarais.
It would be great if you all supported us.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For hypothetical past conditions, use 'Si yo te respaldara...' not 'Si yo te respaldé...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive sets up a hypothetical or unreal condition, whereas the preterite describes a completed action.
Mistake: Confusing -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'respaldara' and 'respaldase' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms. 'Respaldara' is generally more common.
Why: Learners might be unsure which ending to use, but both are valid.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: respaldo
The present tense (respaldo, respaldas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, and general truths about support.
Preterite
yo: respaldé
The preterite of respaldar is regular: respaldé, respaldaste, respaldó, respaldamos, respaldasteis, respaldaron.
Imperfect
yo: respaldaba
The imperfect (respaldaba, respaldabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past support.
Future
yo: respaldaré
The future tense (respaldaré, respaldarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: respaldaría
The conditional (respaldaría, respaldarías, etc.) expresses 'would' support, politeness, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: respalde
The present subjunctive (respalde, respaldes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: respalda
Use 'respalda' (tú), 'respalde' (usted), 'respaldemos' (nosotros), 'respalden' (ustedes), 'respaldad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no respaldes
Use 'no respaldes' (tú), 'no respalde' (usted), 'no respaldemos' (nosotros), 'no respalden' (ustedes), 'no respaldéis' (vosotros) for negative commands.