rodar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
rodar — to roll
Past subjunctive for hypotheticals like 'if it would roll' (si rodara).
rodar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This is your go-to for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts that didn't happen or were unlikely. Think 'if the ball rolled...' (si el balón rodara...). It's also used for polite requests in the past.
Notes on rodar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Rodar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but -ra (rodara, rodaras, etc.) is more common.
Example Sentences
Si la rueda rodara mejor, iríamos más rápido.
If the wheel rolled better, we would go faster.
él/ella/usted
Me gustaría que el coche rodara sin problemas.
I would like the car to roll without problems.
él/ella/usted
No creía que la roca rodara montaña abajo.
I didn't think the rock would roll down the mountain.
él/ella/usted
Te lo diría si supiera que rodaras la información.
I would tell you if I knew you would roll the information.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead: 'si rodó'.
Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive: 'si rodara'.
Why: The preterite describes completed past actions, while the imperfect subjunctive is for hypothetical or unreal situations in the past.
Mistake: Confusing -ra and -se forms.
Correct: While both are correct (e.g., rodase), 'rodara' is generally more common.
Why: Learners might over-rely on one form or get confused by the existence of two sets.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: rodo
Actions happening now or habitually: 'ruedo' (I roll), 'rueda' (it rolls).
Preterite
yo: rodé
Completed past actions like 'rodé' (I rolled) or 'rodó' (it rolled).
Imperfect
yo: rodaba
Ongoing or habitual past actions: 'rodaba' (I used to roll), 'rodaban' (they used to roll).
Future
yo: rodaré
Future actions: 'rodaré' (I will roll), 'rodará' (it will roll).
Conditional
yo: rodaría
Hypotheticals ('would'), polite requests: 'rodaría' (I would roll).
Present Subjunctive
yo: rode
Present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, or emotions like 'espero que ruede' (I hope it rolls).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: roda
Commands like 'roda!' (roll!) or 'roden!' (they roll! - command).
Negative Imperative
yo: no rodas
Negative commands like 'no ruedes!' (don't roll!) or 'no rueden!' (don't they roll! - command).