usar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
usar — to use
The imperfect subjunctive of usar is regular: usara, usaras, usara, usáramos, usarais, usaran.
usar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use this for 'if' clauses involving hypothetical use (e.g., 'If I used a computer...') or when a past request/wish triggered the subjunctive.
Notes on usar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Usar is regular. The forms are derived from the third-person plural preterite 'usaron' by dropping 'on' and adding 'a' endings.
Example Sentences
Si yo usara un mapa, no me perdería.
If I used a map, I wouldn't get lost.
yo
Me pidió que usara su chaqueta.
He asked me to use (wear) his jacket.
él/ella/usted
Si nosotros usáramos menos agua, ahorraríamos dinero.
If we used less water, we would save money.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Forgetting the accent on the nosotros form usáramos.
Correct: Add an accent on the third-to-last syllable: usáramos.
Why: The nosotros form of the imperfect subjunctive always carries an accent on the stressed vowel of the stem.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: uso
The present tense of usar is regular: uso, usas, usa, usamos, usáis, usan.
Preterite
yo: usé
The preterite of usar is regular: usé, usaste, usó, usamos, usasteis, usaron.
Imperfect
yo: usaba
The imperfect of usar follows the standard -aba pattern: usaba, usabas, usaba, usábamos, usabais, usaban.
Future
yo: usaré
The future of usar is formed by adding endings to the infinitive: usaré, usarás, usará, usaremos, usaréis, usarán.
Conditional
yo: usaría
The conditional of usar is regular: usaría, usarías, usaría, usaríamos, usaríais, usarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: use
The present subjunctive of usar uses 'e' endings: use, uses, use, usemos, uséis, usen.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: usa
The affirmative imperative of usar provides commands: usa, use, usemos, usad, usen.
Negative Imperative
yo: no uses
The negative imperative of usar uses subjunctive forms: no uses, no use, no usemos, no uséis, no usen.