diera
/DYAY-ra/
I gave (hypothetically)
Visualizing the hypothetical act of giving ('I gave, hypothetically') associated with 'diera'.
diera(Verb)
I gave (hypothetically)
?Imperfect Subjunctive, 1st person singular
,he/she/you formal gave (hypothetically)
?Imperfect Subjunctive, 3rd person singular
would give
?Often used in past hypothetical sentences ('if I were to give')
📝 In Action
Si yo le diera mi número, ¿me llamarías?
B1If I were to give him my number, would you call me?
Esperábamos que ella nos diera una explicación lógica.
B2We hoped that she would give us a logical explanation.
Quería que usted me diera su opinión sobre el plan.
A2I wanted you (formal) to give me your opinion on the plan.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Special Past' Form
This form ('diera') is the imperfect subjunctive, used when talking about past wishes, doubts, or requests. Think of it as a past version of the special verb form (subjunctive).
Using 'Si' (If)
When setting up a hypothetical situation in the past, you must use 'diera' (imperfect subjunctive) after 'si' (if). Example: 'Si yo fuera rico, te diera un coche' (If I were rich, I would give you a car).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Indicative and Subjunctive
Mistake: "Usar 'Quería que me daba el libro.'"
Correction: Use 'Quería que me diera el libro.' The verb following the expression of desire ('quería que...') needs the special verb form (subjunctive).
⭐ Usage Tips
Alternative Form
In many Spanish-speaking regions, 'diese' is an equally correct form of the imperfect subjunctive, but 'diera' is far more common in everyday speech.
Depicting the idea of causing an effect or consequence ('I caused'), another meaning of 'diera'.
diera(Verb)
I/he/she/you formal caused
?Referring to an effect or consequence (Imperfect Subjunctive)
,I/he/she/you formal hit/struck
?When 'dar' means to strike or hit a target (Imperfect Subjunctive)
I/he/she/you formal resulted in
?Used for expressing results or consequences
📝 In Action
Era necesario que la medicina diera el efecto esperado.
B2It was necessary that the medicine produce the expected effect (or: give the expected effect).
Si la pelota diera en el poste, perdíamos el partido.
B1If the ball were to hit the post, we would lose the game.
No creían que eso diera lugar a un conflicto serio.
C1They didn't believe that that would give rise to (or cause) a serious conflict.
💡 Grammar Points
Fixed Phrases
Many phrases using 'dar' (like 'dar lugar a' meaning 'to cause') keep their meaning even when conjugated into the imperfect subjunctive form 'diera'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If 'diera' appears in a sentence about an unexpected outcome or consequence, it usually means 'caused' or 'resulted in,' not just 'handed over.'
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: diera
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'diera' to express a desire or wish in the past?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'diera' related to 'diese'?
Yes! 'Diera' and 'diese' are two perfectly interchangeable ways to say the imperfect subjunctive form of 'dar' (to give). 'Diera' is much more common in everyday speech, while 'diese' is often seen in more formal writing or literature.
Why is 'diera' considered an irregular verb form?
It's irregular because it doesn't follow the predictable pattern of regular -ar verbs. Regular -ar verbs would use the stem 'dar-' plus the ending, but 'dar' uses the special irregular stem 'di-' for this tense, similar to 'ir' (to go) and 'ser' (to be) in some past tenses.