retractar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
retractar — to retract
Use 'retractara' or 'retractase' for past hypothetical situations or to express wishes/doubts in the past.
retractar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about things that might have happened, or things you wished would happen, in the past. It's often used in 'if' clauses (like 'if I were to retract...') or after expressions of doubt or desire related to past events.
Notes on retractar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Retractar is a regular -ar verb, so its imperfect subjunctive forms are predictable. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., 'retractara' or 'retractase'), with the -ra form being more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si yo retractara mis palabras, quizás me perdonarían.
If I were to retract my words, perhaps they would forgive me.
yo
Él actuó como si no retractara nada.
He acted as if he weren't retracting anything.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá nosotros retractáramos esa decisión antes.
I wish we would retract that decision earlier.
nosotros
Dudaba que ellos retractaran su apoyo.
I doubted they would retract their support.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Tú me pediste que no retractara la oferta.
You asked me not to retract the offer.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: In hypothetical or doubt-inducing clauses, use 'retractara' or 'retractase', not 'retractaba'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required to express uncertainty, desire, or hypothetical situations.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'retractara' and 'retractase' (and their plural/personal variations) are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: While regional preferences exist, both are grammatically valid.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retracto
Use 'retracto', 'retractas', 'retracta', 'retractamos', 'retractáis', 'retractan' for current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: retracté
Use 'retracté', 'retractaste', 'retractó', 'retractamos', 'retractasteis', 'retractaron' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: retractaba
Use 'retractaba', 'retractabas', 'retractaba', 'retractábamos', 'retractabais', 'retractaban' for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: retractaré
Use 'retractaré', 'retractarás', 'retractará', 'retractaremos', 'retractaréis', 'retractarán' for future actions or probability.
Conditional
yo: retractaría
Use 'retractaría', 'retractarías', 'retractaría', 'retractaríamos', 'retractaríais', 'retractarían' for hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retracte
Use 'retracte' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'retractes' (tú), 'retractemos' (nosotros), 'retracten' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) after wishes, doubts, or emotions.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retracta
Use 'retracta' (tú), 'retracte' (usted), 'retractemos' (nosotros), 'retracten' (ustedes), 'retractad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no retractes
Use 'no retractes' (tú), 'no retracte' (usted), 'no retractemos' (nosotros), 'no retracten' (ustedes), 'no retractéis' (vosotros) for negative commands.