sustentar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
sustentar — to support
Use 'sustentara' or 'sustentase' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'sustentaras'/'sustentases' (tú), 'sustentáramos'/'sustentásemos' (nosotros), etc., for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
sustentar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is for talking about hypothetical situations, wishes, or doubts in the past. Think of 'if only...' or 'I wish that...'. For 'sustentar', it could be wishing you had supported something, or imagining a past scenario where support was given.
Notes on sustentar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Sustentar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se forms are correct, though -ra is more common in many regions. The stem is the same for all persons.
Example Sentences
Ojalá sustentara más ese proyecto.
I wish I supported that project more.
yo
Si tú sustentaras la idea, quizás la aprobarían.
If you supported the idea, maybe they would approve it.
tú
Él actuaría diferente si la familia lo sustentara.
He would act differently if his family supported him.
él/ella/usted
Era importante que todos sustentáramos la causa.
It was important that we all supported the cause.
nosotros
Ellos habrían ganado si el público los sustentara.
They would have won if the public had supported them.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: For hypothetical past situations, use 'sustentara' or 'sustentase', not 'sustentaba'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for expressing conditions, wishes, and doubts, especially in the past.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'sustentara' and 'sustentase' are correct, but '-ra' is generally more common.
Why: While interchangeable in meaning, regional preferences exist.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: sustento
The present tense of 'sustentar' is regular: sustento, sustentas, sustenta, sustentamos, sustentáis, sustentan.
Preterite
yo: sustenté
The preterite of 'sustentar' is regular: sustenté, sustentaste, sustentó, sustentamos, sustentasteis, sustentaron.
Imperfect
yo: sustentaba
The imperfect of 'sustentar' is regular: sustentaba, sustentabas, sustentaba, sustentábamos, sustentabais, sustentaban.
Future
yo: sustentaré
The future tense of 'sustentar' is regular: sustentaré, sustentarás, sustentará, sustentaremos, sustentaréis, sustentarán.
Conditional
yo: sustentaría
The conditional of 'sustentar' is regular: sustentaría, sustentarías, sustentaría, sustentaríamos, sustentaríais, sustentarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sustente
Use 'sustente' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'sustentes' (tú), 'sustentemos' (nosotros), etc., after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sustenta
Use 'sustenta' (tú), 'sustente' (usted), 'sustentemos' (nosotros), 'sustentad' (vosotros), 'sustenten' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sustentes
Use 'no sustentes' (tú), 'no sustente' (usted), 'no sustentemos' (nosotros), 'no sustentéis' (vosotros), 'no sustenten' (ustedes) for negative commands.