estuviese
es-too-VYESS-eh
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Si yo estuviese en casa, podría ayudarte ahora.
B2If I were at home, I could help you now.
Esperaba que el paquete estuviese listo para la entrega.
C1I hoped that the package was ready for delivery.
Era necesario que él estuviese presente en la reunión.
C1It was necessary that he be present at the meeting.
💡 Grammar Points
The Past Subjunctive
This form ('estuviese') is used when the main part of the sentence describes a past emotion, doubt, or wish, and the second part (the clause with 'estuviese') describes the state or location that was doubted or wished for.
Conditional Sentences
You use 'estuviese' (or 'estuviera') in the 'if' part of a hypothetical sentence: 'Si yo estuviese rico...' (If I were rich...). It often pairs with the conditional tense ('compraría').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Past Indicative
Mistake: "Dudaba que la llave estaba en la mesa."
Correction: Dudaba que la llave estuviese en la mesa. (When expressing doubt or uncertainty about a past action, Spanish requires this special verb form, not the simple past 'estaba'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Interchangeable Forms
The form 'estuviese' is completely interchangeable with 'estuviera'. Both are correct and mean the same thing, though 'estuviera' is generally more common in spoken Spanish.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estuviese
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'estuviese' to express a hypothetical situation?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'estuviese' y 'estuviera'?
There is no difference in meaning or function. Both 'estuviese' and 'estuviera' are correct ways to say the past subjunctive form of 'estar.' You can choose whichever one you prefer, though 'estuviera' is often heard more frequently.
When do I need to use the past subjunctive ('estuviese') instead of the simple past ('estuvo')?
You use 'estuviese' when the main verb expresses doubt, desire, command, or emotion about a state or location in the past. If you are simply stating a fact about the past, use 'estuvo' (e.g., 'He was here' = 'Él estuvo aquí').