virar Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation
virar — to turn
The imperfect subjunctive of virar (virara/virase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
virar Imperfect Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Imperfect Subjunctive
This tense is great for expressing past wishes, hypothetical situations, or polite suggestions that didn't necessarily happen. Imagine saying 'I wish you *would turn*' or 'If I *were to turn*', what would happen? For 'virar', you might use it like 'Ojalá viraras a tiempo' (I wish you would turn on time).
Notes on virar in the Imperfect Subjunctive
Virar is regular in the imperfect subjunctive. Both the -ra and -se endings are common, though -ra is often preferred. The forms are virara, viraras, virara, viráramos, virarais, viraran (and the -se equivalents).
Example Sentences
Si yo virara más despacio, no habría chocado.
If I had turned more slowly, I wouldn't have crashed.
yo
Me gustaría que viraras el volante hacia la izquierda.
I would like you to turn the steering wheel to the left.
tú
Ellos pensaban que virara por la carretera principal.
They thought he would turn onto the main road.
él/ella/usted
Dudaba que viráramos el camino correcto.
I doubted we would turn down the right path.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite or imperfect indicative instead of the imperfect subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'virara' or 'virase' in hypothetical or wish contexts.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for these types of clauses, not the indicative.
Mistake: Confusing the -ra and -se forms.
Correct: Both are correct, but '-ra' is often more common. Ensure consistency.
Why: While interchangeable, mixing them unnecessarily can sound odd.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: viro
The present tense of virar (viro, viras, vira, etc.) describes actions happening now or habitual turns.
Preterite
yo: viré
The preterite of virar is regular: viré, viraste, viró, viramos, virasteis, viraron.
Imperfect
yo: viraba
The imperfect of virar (viraba, virabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past turns.
Future
yo: viraré
The future tense of virar (viraré, virarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: viraría
The conditional of virar (viraría, virarías, etc.) expresses hypothetical turns ('would turn') or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: vire
The present subjunctive of virar (vire, vires, viremos, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: vira
Use the imperative of virar for direct commands: vira (tú), vire (usted/ustedes), viremos (nosotros), virad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no vires
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no vires (tú), no vire (usted/ustedes), no viremos (nosotros), no viréis (vosotros).