sobrepasar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
sobrepasar — to exceed
The imperfect subjunctive of sobrepasar (e.g., sobrepasara, sobrepasaras) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
sobrepasar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is perfect for talking about hypothetical situations in the past, expressing wishes, or in polite requests, often following expressions like 'if' (si) or 'I wish' (ojalá). It describes something that might have happened or was desired but didn't necessarily occur.
Notes on sobrepasar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Sobrespasar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though the -ra form is generally more common in everyday speech.
Example Sentences
Si yo sobrepasara la meta, estaría muy feliz.
If I exceeded the goal, I would be very happy.
yo
Ojalá no sobrepasaras tus límites.
I wish you wouldn't exceed your limits.
tú
Me gustaría que él sobrepasara sus expectativas.
I would like him to exceed his expectations.
él/ella/usted
Si nosotros sobrepasáramos el presupuesto, tendríamos problemas.
If we exceeded the budget, we would have problems.
nosotros
Ellos actuaron como si sobrepasaran la autoridad.
They acted as if they were exceeding their authority.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'sobrepasara' or 'sobrepasase' after 'si' for hypothetical past conditions.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive is required for hypothetical or unreal conditions in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: Both 'sobrepasara' and 'sobrepasase' are correct, but '-ra' is more common.
Why: Learners sometimes get confused by the two sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: sobrepaso
The present tense of sobrepasar is regular: sobrepaso, sobrepasas, sobrepasa, sobrepasamos, sobrepasáis, sobrepasan.
Preterite
yo: sobrepasé
The preterite of sobrepasar is regular: sobrepasé, sobrepasaste, sobrepasó, sobrepasamos, sobrepasasteis, sobrepasaron.
Imperfect
yo: sobrepasaba
The imperfect of sobrepasar is regular: sobrepasaba, sobrepasabas, sobrepasaba, sobrepasábamos, sobrepasabais, sobrepasaban.
Future
yo: sobrepasaré
The future tense of sobrepasar is regular: sobrepasaré, sobrepasarás, sobrepasará, sobrepasaremos, sobrepasaréis, sobrepasarán.
Conditional
yo: sobrepasaría
The conditional of sobrepasar is regular: sobrepasaría, sobrepasarías, sobrepasaría, sobrepasaríamos, sobrepasaríais, sobrepasarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sobrepase
The present subjunctive of sobrepasar (sobrepase, sobrepases, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sobrepasa
The imperative of sobrepasar gives direct commands: sobrepasa (tú), sobrepase (usted), sobrepasemos (nosotros), sobrepasen (ustedes), sobrepasad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no sobrepases
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no sobrepases (tú), no sobrepase (usted), no sobrepasemos (nosotros), no sobrepasen (ustedes), no sobrepaséis (vosotros).