tornar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
tornar — to return
The imperfect subjunctive of 'tornar' (tornara, tornaras, tornáramos, etc.) is used for past hypothetical situations or polite requests.
tornar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for hypothetical situations in the past, wishes, or polite requests that might have happened or been desired. It's common in 'if' clauses referring to the past.
Notes on tornar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Tornar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both '-ra' and '-se' endings exist, but the '-ra' form (tornara, tornaras, etc.) is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo tornara el dinero, te lo devolvería.
If I returned the money, I would give it back to you.
yo
Me gustaría que tornaras a visitarnos pronto.
I would like you to return to visit us soon.
tú
Ojalá ellos tornaran la carta a tiempo.
I wish they would return the letter on time.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Si nosotros tornáramos la calma, podríamos pensar mejor.
If we returned to calm, we could think better.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'tornara' where you might think 'tornó' if it's a hypothetical past.
Why: The imperfect subjunctive expresses unreality or past conditions, which the preterite does not.
Mistake: Confusing the '-ra' and '-se' forms.
Correct: While both exist, the '-ra' form (tornara) is generally safer and more common for learners.
Why: Both forms are grammatically correct, but '-ra' is more frequent in everyday speech.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: torno
The present tense of 'tornar' is regular: torno, tornas, torna, tornamos, tornáis, tornan, used for current or habitual returning.
Preterite
yo: torné
The preterite of 'tornar' is regular: torné, tornaste, tornó, tornamos, tornasteis, tornaron, used for completed past actions of returning.
Imperfect
yo: tornaba
The imperfect of 'tornar' is regular: tornaba, tornabas, tornaba, tornábamos, tornabais, tornaban, for ongoing or habitual past returning.
Future
yo: tornaré
The future tense of 'tornar' is regular: tornaré, tornarás, tornará, tornaremos, tornaréis, tornarán, for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: tornaría
The conditional of 'tornar' is regular: tornaría, tornarías, tornaría, tornaríamos, tornaríais, tornarían, for hypothetical 'would' actions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: torne
The present subjunctive of 'tornar' (torne, tornes, tornemos, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: torna
Use the imperative of 'tornar' for direct commands: torna (tú), torne (usted), tornemos (nosotros), tornad (vosotros), tornen (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no tornes
Negative commands for 'tornar' use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no tornes (tú), no torne (usted), no tornemos (nosotros), no tornéis (vosotros), no tornen (ustedes).