sabotear Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation

When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive

Use the imperfect subjunctive to talk about hypothetical situations in the past, wishes that weren't fulfilled, or to express doubt about past events. It often appears in 'if' clauses.

Notes on sabotear in the Imperfect Subjunctive

Sabotear is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms exist, but the -ra form (saboteara) is more common in many regions.

Example Sentences

• Si yo hubiera sabido, no habría saboteado el proyecto.

  If I had known, I would not have sabotaged the project.

  yo

• Ojalá tú no sabotearas mis planes.

  I wish you wouldn't sabotage my plans.

  tú

• Dudaba que él saboteara la presentación.

  I doubted that he would sabotage the presentation.

  él/ella/usted

• Nos pidieron que no saboteáramos la competencia.

  They asked us not to sabotage the competition.

  nosotros

• Sería terrible si ellos sabotearan la fiesta.

  It would be terrible if they sabotaged the party.

  ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.

  Correct: For hypothetical or uncertain past situations, use 'saboteara' or 'sabotease', not 'saboteaba'.

  Why: The imperfect indicative describes ongoing or habitual past actions, not hypotheticals or wishes.

• Mistake: Forgetting the accent on 'saboteáramos'.

  Correct: The nosotros form is 'saboteáramos', with the accent on the 'a'.

  Why: The accent marks the stress and distinguishes it from other forms.

Related Tenses