saquear Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
saquear — to loot
The imperfect subjunctive (saqueara/saquearas/saqueara/saqueáramos/saquearais/saquearan) is for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
saquear Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this tense when talking about past events that were hypothetical, uncertain, or desired, often in 'if' clauses or after expressions of doubt or emotion in the past. For example, 'I wish I hadn't looted...' or 'If they had looted the city differently...'
Notes on saquear in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Saquear' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se ending (e.g., saqueara or saquearse), but the -ra form is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Ojalá no saqueara tanto en el pasado.
I wish I didn't loot so much in the past.
yo
Si yo saqueara tus libros, me sentiría culpable.
If I looted your books, I would feel guilty.
yo
Dudaba que ellos saquearan el tesoro sin ser vistos.
I doubted they would loot the treasure without being seen.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me sorprendió que tú saquearas esa tienda.
It surprised me that you looted that store.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical or doubtful situations in the past, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si yo saqueara...' not 'Si yo saqueaba...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is specifically for unreal or hypothetical conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'saqueara' and 'saquearse' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms for 'yo', but 'saqueara' is generally more common.
Why: While both are grammatically correct, regional preferences and stylistic choices often favor one over the other.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: saqueo
The present tense of 'saquear' (saqueo, saqueas, saquea, etc.) describes habitual or current looting actions.
Preterite
yo: saqueé
The preterite of 'saquear' is regular: saqueé, saqueaste, saqueó, saqueamos, saqueasteis, saquearon, used for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: saqueaba
The imperfect of 'saquear' (saqueaba, saqueabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual looting in the past.
Future
yo: saquearé
The future tense of 'saquear' (saquearé, saquearás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: saquearía
The conditional of 'saquear' (saquearía, saquearías, etc.) expresses 'would' loot, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: saquee
The present subjunctive (saquee, saqueen, etc.) follows expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: saquea
Use imperative forms like 'saquea' (tú) and 'saqueen' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no saquees
Use 'no' + present subjunctive, like 'no sapees' (tú) and 'no saqueen' (ustedes), for negative commands.