retar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
retar — to challenge
The imperfect subjunctive of retar (retara, retaras, retáramos, retarais, retaran) expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
retar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive of 'retar' to talk about hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or polite requests that didn't necessarily happen. It's common in 'if' clauses.
Notes on retar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Retar' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., 'retara' or 'retase'), but the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo te retara a una carrera, ¿aceptarías?
If I challenged you to a race, would you accept?
yo
Me gustaría que me retaras a un duelo de espadas.
I would like you to challenge me to a sword duel.
tú
Ellos actuarían si el público los retara a salir al escenario.
They would perform if the audience challenged them to come on stage.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Ojalá el equipo nos retara a ser mejores.
I wish the team would challenge us to be better.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present subjunctive instead of imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals.
Correct: For past 'if' clauses, use 'Si yo te retara...', not 'Si yo te reto...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for hypothetical or unreal conditions in the past.
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the 'nosotros' form.
Correct: The 'nosotros' form is 'retáramos', with the accent on the 'a'.
Why: The accent indicates the stressed syllable in this past subjunctive form.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: reto
The present tense of retar (reto, retas, reta, retamos, retáis, retan) means to challenge now or habitually.
Preterite
yo: reté
The preterite of retar is regular: reté, retaste, retó, retamos, retasteis, retaron.
Imperfect
yo: retaba
The imperfect of retar (retaba, retabas, retaba, retábamos, retabais, retaban) describes past challenges that were ongoing or habitual.
Future
yo: retaré
The future tense of retar (retaré, retarás, retará, retaremos, retaréis, retarán) indicates future challenges.
Conditional
yo: retaría
The conditional of retar (retaría, retarías, retaría, retaríamos, retaríais, retarían) suggests hypothetical challenges ('would challenge').
Present Subjunctive
yo: rete
The present subjunctive of retar (rete, retes, retemos, retéis, reten) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: reta
Use the imperative of retar for direct commands: reta, rete, retemos, retad, reten.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retes
Negative commands for retar use the present subjunctive: no retes, no rete, no retemos, no retéis, no reten.