sellar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
sellar — to stamp
The imperfect subjunctive ('sellara' or 'sellase') expresses hypothetical situations or wishes in the past.
sellar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is used for 'what if' scenarios in the past, polite requests, or expressing wishes that didn't happen. For 'sellar', imagine wishing you had stamped something, or a past situation where stamping was conditional.
Notes on sellar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Sellar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra ('sellara') and -se ('sellase') endings are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions. The forms are: yo/él/ella/usted sellara/sellase, tú sellaras/sellases, nosotros selláramos/sellásemos, vosotros sellarais/sellaseis, ellos/ellas/ustedes sellaran/sellasen.
Example Sentences
Si hubiera sabido, habría sellado el paquete a tiempo.
If I had known, I would have stamped the package on time.
yo
Me pidieron que sellara la entrada, pero no tenía el sello.
They asked me to stamp the ticket, but I didn't have the stamp.
yo
Ojalá tú sellaras más cartas para mí.
I wish you would stamp more letters for me.
tú
Era importante que ellos sellaran el formulario.
It was important that they stamped the form.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative ('sellaba') instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'sellara' or 'sellase' in clauses following expressions of doubt, desire, or hypothetical conditions.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for these specific grammatical structures.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms, or using an incorrect ending.
Correct: Both 'sellara' and 'sellase' are correct, but be consistent. Ensure correct endings like 'sellaras' for tú.
Why: Learners sometimes mix up the endings or use incorrect ones for different pronouns.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: sello
The present tense of sellar ('sello', 'sellas', 'sella', etc.) describes habitual actions, what's happening now, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: sellé
The preterite of sellar is regular: sellé, sellaste, selló, sellamos, sellasteis, sellaron.
Imperfect
yo: sellaba
The imperfect of sellar ('sellaba', 'sellabas', 'sellaba', etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: sellaré
The future tense of sellar ('sellará', 'sellaremos', etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: sellaría
The conditional of sellar ('sellaría', 'sellarías', etc.) is used for hypotheticals ('would stamp') and polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: selle
The present subjunctive ('selles', 'selle', 'sellemos', etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sella
Use 'sella' (tú), 'selle' (usted), 'sellemos' (nosotros), 'sellen' (ustedes), 'sellad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no selles
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: 'no selles' (tú), 'no selle' (usted), 'no sellemos' (nosotros), 'no sellen' (ustedes), 'no selléis' (vosotros).