servir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
servir — to serve
The imperfect subjunctive is based on the 'sirvieron' stem: sirviera, sirvieras, sirviera...
servir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for past-tense doubts or 'if' clauses, like 'If this worked, I would use it.'
Notes on servir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Because the preterite 'ellos' form is 'sirvieron', the entire imperfect subjunctive uses the 'sirvi-' stem.
Example Sentences
Si este teléfono sirviera, te llamaría.
If this phone worked, I would call you.
él/ella/usted
Me gustaría que ellos sirvieran postre.
I would like them to serve dessert.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: servera
Correct: sirviera
Why: The imperfect subjunctive must follow the third-person preterite stem change.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: sirvo
Servir is a stem-changer (e > i) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
yo: serví
Servir has a 'slipper' stem change (e > i) in the third-person forms: sirvió and sirvieron.
Imperfect
yo: servía
Servir is regular in the imperfect: servía, servías, servía, servíamos, servíais, servían.
Future
yo: serviré
Servir is completely regular in the future tense; just add the endings to the infinitive.
Conditional
yo: serviría
The conditional of servir is regular: serviría, servirías, serviría, serviríamos, serviríais, servirían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sirva
Servir changes e > i in all forms of the present subjunctive, including nosotros.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sirve
Use 'sirve' (tú) or 'sirva' (usted) to tell someone to serve or function.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sirvas
Negative commands use 'no' + the present subjunctive: no sirvas, no sirva.