retrasar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
retrasar — to delay
The imperfect subjunctive of retrasar (retrasara, retrasaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or politeness.
retrasar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, or making polite requests related to delaying something, especially when the main clause is in the past.
Notes on retrasar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Retrasar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, but the -ra form (retrasara, retrasaras, etc.) is more common.
Example Sentences
Si no hubieras retrasado la salida, habríamos llegado a tiempo.
If you hadn't delayed the departure, we would have arrived on time.
tú
Me pidió que no retrasara la presentación.
He asked me not to delay the presentation.
yo
Ojalá no retrasaran la respuesta.
I wish they wouldn't delay the answer.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Sería genial si usted no retrasara la cita.
It would be great if you didn't delay the appointment.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: In a sentence like 'I would have gone if you hadn't delayed', use 'Si no retrasaras' (imperfect subjunctive), not 'Si no retrasabas' (imperfect indicative).
Why: Conditional clauses often require the subjunctive mood to express hypothetical or unreal conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: While both are grammatically correct, stick to one form (e.g., -ra) for consistency. 'Retrasara' and 'retrasase' mean the same thing.
Why: Learners might be confused by the existence of two sets of endings for the same tense.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: retraso
The present tense of retrasar (retraso, retrasas, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitual delays.
Preterite
yo: retrasé
The preterite of retrasar is regular: retrasé, retrasaste, retrasó, retrasamos, retrasasteis, retrasaron, for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: retrasaba
The imperfect of retrasar (retrasaba, retrasabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual delays in the past.
Future
yo: retrasaré
The future tense of retrasar (retrasaré, retrasarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: retrasaría
The conditional of retrasar (retrasaría, retrasarías, etc.) expresses 'would' delays, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: retrase
The present subjunctive of retrasar (retrace, retrases, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: retrasa
Use the imperative of retrasar for direct commands: retrasa (tú), retrase (usted), retrasemos (nosotros), retrasad (vosotros), retrasen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no retrases
Negative commands for retrasar use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no retrases (tú), no retrase (usted), no retrasemos (nosotros), no retraséis (vosotros), no retrasen (ustedes).