señalar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
señalar — to point at
The imperfect subjunctive of 'señalar' (señalara, señalaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
señalar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
You'll use the imperfect subjunctive of 'señalar' when talking about hypothetical situations in the past, or expressing wishes and doubts related to past events. For instance, 'Si yo señalara el camino, ¿me seguirías?' (If I were to point the way, would you follow me?) or 'Ojalá él señalara la verdad' (I wish he would point out the truth). The '-ra' form is common.
Notes on señalar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Señalar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are possible (e.g., señalara/señalase), but the -ra form is generally more common.
Example Sentences
Si él señalara el tesoro, lo encontraríamos.
If he were to point out the treasure, we would find it.
él/ella/usted
Yo desearía que tú señalaras el defecto.
I would wish that you would point out the flaw.
tú
Nosotros habríamos ido si hubieras señalado el lugar correcto.
We would have gone if you had pointed out the correct place.
vosotros
Ellos actuarían si alguien les señalara la oportunidad.
They would act if someone pointed out the opportunity to them.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses.
Correct: Use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si señalara...' not 'Si señalaba...'.
Why: Hypothetical or unreal conditions in the past require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or only knowing one.
Correct: Be aware that both 'señalara' and 'señalase' (and their respective conjugations) are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: Both are valid endings for the imperfect subjunctive, though -ra is often more frequent.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: señalo
The present tense of 'señalar' (señalo, señalas, señala, etc.) describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: señalé
The preterite of 'señalar' is regular: señalé, señalaste, señaló, señalamos, señalasteis, señalaron. It marks completed actions.
Imperfect
yo: señalaba
The imperfect of 'señalar' (señalaba, señalabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions, like 'he used to point out' or 'was pointing out'.
Future
yo: señalaré
The future tense of 'señalar' (señalaré, señalarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: señalaría
The conditional of 'señalar' (señalaría, señalarías, etc.) expresses 'would point out' or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: señale
The present subjunctive of 'señalar' (señale, señales, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: señala
The imperative of señalar is regular and used for direct commands like '¡señala!' (point!) or '¡señalad!' (point!).
Negative Imperative
yo: no señales
Negative commands with 'no' use the present subjunctive, like 'no señales' (don't point) or 'no señalen' (don't point).