susurrar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
susurrar — to whisper
The imperfect subjunctive ('susurrara'/'susurrarais' forms) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
susurrar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this tense for hypothetical situations in the past or to express wishes and polite requests that are contrary to fact or unlikely. For example, 'If I had known, I would have whispered...' or 'I wish you would whisper.'
Notes on susurrar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Susurrar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are correct, but the -ra form is more common.
Example Sentences
Si hubiera sabido, te lo hubiera susurrado al oído.
If I had known, I would have whispered it in your ear.
yo
Ojalá ellos susurraran menos.
I wish they would whisper less.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me gustaría que susurraras la respuesta.
I would like you to whisper the answer.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Instead of 'Si sabía...', use 'Si supiera...' or 'Si supiera...'.
Why: Hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both 'susurrara' and 'susurrase' are correct, but 'susurrara' is generally more common.
Why: While interchangeable in most contexts, regional preferences and specific phrasing can influence the choice.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'susurrar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: susurro
The present tense 'susurro', 'susurras', etc., is for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: susurré
The preterite of susurrar is regular: susurré, susurraste, susurró, susurramos, susurrasteis, susurraron.
Imperfect
yo: susurraba
The imperfect of susurrar ('susurraba', 'susurrabas', etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions and background.
Future
yo: susurraré
The future tense 'susurraré', 'susurrarás', etc., is for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: susurraría
The conditional 'susurraría', 'susurrarías', etc., expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: susurre
The present subjunctive ('susurre', 'susurres', etc.) is used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: susurra
Use 'susurra' (tú), 'susurre' (usted), 'susurremos' (nosotros), 'susurrad' (vosotros), 'susurren' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no susurres
Use 'no susurres' (tú), 'no susurre' (usted), 'no susurremos' (nosotros), 'no susurréis' (vosotros), 'no susurren' (ustedes).