sobornar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
sobornar — to bribe
Forms like sobornara or sobornase express hypothetical or past subjunctive situations.
sobornar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past, often in 'if' clauses or after expressions of emotion or uncertainty.
Notes on sobornar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Sobornar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. You can use either the -ra or -se endings (e.g., sobornara or sobornase), but the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo pudiera, sobornara al director para conseguir el trabajo.
If I could, I would bribe the director to get the job.
yo
Me sorprendió que él sobornara al juez.
It surprised me that he bribed the judge.
él/ella/usted
Ojalá no nos sobornaran los oponentes.
Hopefully, the opponents wouldn't bribe us.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Te lo diría si no temiera que me sobornaras.
I would tell you if I weren't afraid you would bribe me.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in 'if' clauses.
Correct: For hypothetical past conditions, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Si él sobornara...' not 'Si él sobornó...'.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for unreal or hypothetical conditions.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'sobornara' and 'sobornase' are correct, but 'sobornara' is generally more common.
Why: While both are grammatically valid, learners often stick to one form for consistency.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: soborno
Soborno, sobornas, soborna, sobornamos, sobornáis, sobornan describe current or habitual bribery.
Preterite
yo: soborné
Soborné, sobornaste, sobornó, sobornamos, sobornasteis, sobornaron are the completed past actions for 'to bribe'.
Imperfect
yo: sobornaba
Sobornaba, sobornabas, sobornaba, sobornábamos, sobornabais, sobornaban describe ongoing or habitual past bribery.
Future
yo: sobornaré
Sobornaré, sobornarás, sobornará, sobornaremos, sobornaréis, sobornarán predict future bribery.
Conditional
yo: sobornaría
Sobornaría, sobornarías, sobornaría, sobornaríamos, sobornaríais, sobornarían express hypothetical bribery.
Present Subjunctive
yo: soborne
The present subjunctive forms are soborne, sobornes, sobornemos, sobornéis, sobornen.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: soborna
Soborna, soborne, sobornemos, sobornad, sobornen are the commands for 'to bribe'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sobornes
No sobornes, no soborne, no sobornemos, no sobornéis, no sobornen are negative commands for 'to bribe'.