retornar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
retornar — to return
The imperfect subjunctive of 'retornar' (retornara, retornaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or suggestions.
retornar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations, wishes, or suggestions in the past, often following phrases like 'if I had...', 'I wish he would...', or in polite requests.
Notes on retornar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive of 'retornar' is regular for an -ar verb. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., retornara/retornase), but the -ra form is more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si retornara más temprano, habríamos cenado juntos.
If I had returned earlier, we would have dined together.
yo
Me gustaría que tú retornaras mi llamada.
I would like you to return my call.
tú
Ojalá él retornara a tiempo para la fiesta.
I wish he would return on time for the party.
él/ella/usted
Si ustedes retornaran pronto, podríamos irnos.
If you all returned soon, we could leave.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Te pedí que me retornaras el dinero.
I asked you to return the money to me.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of imperfect subjunctive: 'Si retornó más temprano...'.
Correct: 'Si retornara más temprano...'.
Why: Hypothetical or unreal conditions in the past require the imperfect subjunctive.
Mistake: Using the present subjunctive: 'Me gustaría que retornas mi llamada'.
Correct: 'Me gustaría que retornaras mi llamada'.
Why: When the main clause is in the past or conditional ('Me gustaría'), the dependent clause usually needs the imperfect subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retorno
The present tense of 'retornar' (retorno, retornas, etc.) describes current actions or habits of returning.
Preterite
yo: retorné
The preterite of 'retornar' is regular: retorné, retornaste, retornó, retornamos, retornasteis, retornaron.
Imperfect
yo: retornaba
The imperfect of 'retornar' (retornaba, retornabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions of returning.
Future
yo: retornaré
The future tense of 'retornar' (retornaré, retornarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: retornaría
The conditional of 'retornar' (retornaría, retornarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retorne
The present subjunctive of 'retornar' (retorne, retornes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retorna
Use 'retorna' (tú), 'retorne' (usted), 'retornemos' (nosotros), 'retornad' (vosotros), 'retornen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retornes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no retornes' (tú), 'no retorne' (usted), etc.