subsistir Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
subsistir — to subsist
The imperfect subjunctive ('subsistiera' or 'subsistiese') expresses past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts, often in 'if' clauses.
subsistir Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or necessity in the past, or in hypothetical 'if' clauses referring to the past or present. For 'subsistir', it could be about wishing someone could have survived or imagining a past scenario where survival was precarious.
Notes on subsistir in the Imperfect Subjunctive
'Subsistir' is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though the -ra form (subsistiera) is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Si yo subsistiera con poco, sería más feliz.
If I subsisted on little, I would be happier.
yo
Ojalá él subsistiera sin tanta dificultad.
I wish he could subsist without so much difficulty.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que ellos subsistieran solos tanto tiempo.
I doubted that they could subsist alone for so long.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Nos pidieron que subsistiéramos con lo mínimo.
They asked us to subsist on the minimum.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses.
Correct: Use 'Si yo subsistiera...', not 'Si yo subsistí...'.
Why: Hypothetical conditions often require the subjunctive mood, and for past or present hypotheticals, the imperfect subjunctive is used.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'subsistiera' and 'subsistiese' are correct imperfect subjunctive forms.
Why: Spanish has two sets of endings for the imperfect subjunctive; choose one and be consistent, or be aware that both exist.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: subsisto
The present indicative 'subsisto' is used for current states, habitual actions, or general truths about subsisting.
Preterite
yo: subsistí
The preterite of 'subsistir' is regular: subsistí, subsististe, subsistió, subsistimos, subsististeis, subsistieron.
Imperfect
yo: subsistía
The imperfect 'subsistía' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of subsisting, or sets the background scene.
Future
yo: subsistiré
The future tense 'subsistiré' is regular and used for actions that will happen or to express probability.
Conditional
yo: subsistiría
The conditional 'subsistiría' expresses hypotheticals ('would subsist'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past actions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: subsista
The present subjunctive ('subsista') is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: subsiste
Commands like 'subsiste' (you singular) or 'subsistan' (they/you plural) are formed by taking the present subjunctive, with 'tú' and 'vosotros' being exceptions.
Negative Imperative
yo: no subsistas
Negative commands like 'no subsistas' (you singular) or 'no subsistan' (they/you plural) are always formed using the present subjunctive with 'no'.