vigilar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
vigilar — to guard
The imperfect subjunctive 'vigilara/vigilaran' is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
vigilar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for talking about hypothetical situations in the past or present, expressing wishes, or making polite requests, often following 'si' (if) or in dependent clauses. For example, 'If I were to guard...' or 'I wish you would guard...'.
Notes on vigilar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Vigilar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings exist, but -ra is more common.
Example Sentences
Si yo vigilara la casa, no habría pasado nada.
If I were guarding the house, nothing would have happened.
yo
Me gustaría que tú vigilaras tus pertenencias.
I would like you to guard your belongings.
tú
Ojalá él vigilara más de cerca.
I wish he would guard more closely.
él/ella/usted
Ellos harían el trabajo si nosotros vigiláramos.
They would do the job if we guarded.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing imperfect subjunctive with preterite or imperfect indicative.
Correct: Use 'vigilara' for hypotheticals or wishes, not 'vigiló' or 'vigilaba'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is for non-factual or subjective situations, while the indicative is for facts.
Mistake: Using the -se form incorrectly.
Correct: While 'vigilase' is grammatically correct, 'vigilara' is more common in everyday speech.
Why: Regional and stylistic preferences often favor the -ra endings for the imperfect subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: vigilo
The present tense 'vigilo/vigilan' describes actions happening now or habitual actions.
Preterite
yo: vigilé
The preterite 'vigilé/vigilaron' describes completed actions in the past.
Imperfect
yo: vigilaba
The imperfect 'vigilaba/vigilaban' describes ongoing or habitual past actions and background.
Future
yo: vigilaré
The future tense 'vigilaré/vigilarán' indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: vigilaría
The conditional 'vigilaría/vigilarían' expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: vigile
The present subjunctive 'vigile/vigilen' expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: vigila
Use 'vigila' for tú, 'vigile' for usted/ustedes, and 'vigilen' for ustedes/ellos/ellas commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no vigiles
Use 'no vigiles' for tú, 'no vigile' for usted, and 'no vigilen' for ustedes/ellos/ellas negative commands.