velar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
velar — to watch over
The imperfect subjunctive of velar (velara, velaras, veláramos, velaran) expresses past wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations.
velar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
Use the imperfect subjunctive for unreal conditions in the past, wishes, or polite requests related to 'velar'. For example, 'Si yo velara por ti, nada te pasaría.' (If I were watching over you, nothing would happen to you.) It's also used after expressions of doubt or emotion in the past.
Notes on velar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Velar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are possible (e.g., velara/velase, velaras/velases), but the -ra form is more common in many regions.
Example Sentences
Ojalá yo velara mejor tus sueños.
I wish I watched over your dreams better.
yo
Si tú velaras sus pasos, te darías cuenta de sus errores.
If you watched his steps, you would realize his mistakes.
tú
Era importante que él velara por la seguridad.
It was important that he watched over the security.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que ellos velaran todo el tiempo.
I doubted that they watched over the whole time.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Sería bueno que vosotros velarais más por vuestra salud.
It would be good if you watched more over your health.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'Si yo velara...' not 'Si yo velé...' or 'Si yo velaba...'.
Why: Hypothetical or unreal conditions require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se endings.
Correct: While both are technically correct, 'velara' is generally more common than 'velase' in many contexts.
Why: Regional preferences and common usage favor one ending over the other.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: velo
The present indicative of velar is regular: velo, velas, vela, velamos, veláis, velan.
Preterite
yo: velé
The preterite of velar is regular: velé, velaste, veló, velamos, velasteis, velaron.
Imperfect
yo: velaba
The imperfect of velar is regular: velaba, velabas, velaba, velábamos, velabais, velaban.
Future
yo: velaré
The future of velar is regular: velaré, velarás, velará, velaremos, velaréis, velarán.
Conditional
yo: velaría
The conditional of velar is regular: velaría, velarías, velaría, velaríamos, velaríais, velarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: vele
The present subjunctive of velar (vele, veles, velemos, velen) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, or uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: vela
The imperative of velar gives commands: ¡vela! (you singular, informal), ¡vele! (you singular, formal), ¡velemos! (we), ¡velen! (you plural, formal), ¡velad! (you plural, informal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no veles
Negative commands for velar use the present subjunctive: no veles, no vele, no velemos, no velen, no veléis.