sostener Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
sostener — to hold up
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'sostuv-' stem: sostuviera, sostuvieras, sostuviera, sostuviéramos, sostuvierais, sostuvieran.
sostener Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for hypothetical 'if' situations or when a past request/wish involved holding something.
Notes on sostener in the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is derived from the preterite 'ellos' form (sostuvieron). It carries the irregular 'sostuv-' stem throughout.
Example Sentences
Si yo sostuviera el trofeo, sería muy feliz.
If I were holding the trophy, I would be very happy.
yo
Te pedí que sostuvieras la puerta.
I asked you to hold the door.
tú
Si sostuviéramos el ritmo, ganaríamos la carrera.
If we maintained the pace, we would win the race.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: sosteniera
Correct: sostuviera
Why: This tense must be built from the irregular preterite stem 'sostuv-', not the infinitive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: sostengo
Sostener follows the 'tener' pattern: it has a 'go' in the yo form and a stem change (e to ie) for most others.
Preterite
yo: sostuve
Sostener uses the irregular 'uv' stem: sostuve, sostuviste, sostuvo, sostuvimos, sostuvisteis, sostuvieron.
Imperfect
yo: sostenía
Sostener is regular in the imperfect: sostenía, sostenías, sostenía, sosteníamos, sosteníais, sostenían.
Future
yo: sostendré
Sostener adds a 'd' to the stem: sostendré, sostendrás, sostendrá, sostendremos, sostendréis, sostendrán.
Conditional
yo: sostendría
The conditional uses the 'sostend-' stem: sostendría, sostendrías, sostendría, sostendríamos, sostendríais, sostendrían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sostenga
The present subjunctive is based on the 'sosteng-' stem: sostenga, sostengas, sostenga, sostengamos, sostengáis, sostengan.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sostén
The informal command is 'sostén'; others use the 'sosteng-' stem.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sostengas
Negative commands always use the present subjunctive forms: no sostengas, no sostenga, no sostengamos, no sostengáis, no sostengan.