fueran
/FWEH-rahn/
they were
This illustration captures the hypothetical state of 'they were' superheroes.
fueran(verb)
they were
?hypothetical or desired state/identity
,you (plural) were
?hypothetical or desired state/identity
were to be
?conditional clauses
📝 In Action
Si ellos no fueran tan ruidosos, dormiría mejor.
B1If they weren't so noisy, I would sleep better.
El profesor pidió que los trabajos fueran entregados antes del lunes.
B2The professor asked that the papers be (were) submitted before Monday.
Me gustaría que mis amigos fueran más puntuales.
B1I would like it if my friends were more punctual.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'If/Then' Structure
Use 'fueran' in the 'if' part of a past hypothetical sentence: 'Si ellos fueran ricos...' (If they were rich...).
The Subjunctive Mood
'Fueran' is used after verbs of emotion, doubt, or request (like 'querer que' or 'pedir que') when referring to a past action or condition.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Ser and Estar
Mistake: "Using 'estuvieran' for permanent states. e.g., 'Si fueran (ser) de España' (If they were from Spain)."
Correction: Use 'fueran' (ser) for identity, origin, or inherent qualities, even in the subjunctive.
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the 'Ra' Sound
The '-ra' ending (fuera, fueran) is the most common way to form this special past verb tense (imperfect subjunctive) in modern Spanish.
Visualizing the hypothetical movement captured in 'they went'.
fueran(verb)
they went
?hypothetical or desired movement
,you (plural) went
?hypothetical or desired movement
would go
?after verbs expressing hope or request
📝 In Action
Ojalá que los niños no se fueran tan lejos.
B1I wish the children wouldn't go so far away.
Si no fueran al mercado, no tendrían cena.
B2If they didn't go to the market, they wouldn't have dinner.
Mi madre insistió en que ustedes fueran con cuidado.
B2My mother insisted that you (plural) go carefully.
💡 Grammar Points
The Dual Identity
The verbs 'ser' (to be) and 'ir' (to go) share this exact form ('fueran') in the past tenses. You must use the context of the sentence to know if it means 'were' or 'went'.
Reporting Past Wishes
Use 'fueran' (ir) when reporting a previous desire for movement: 'Ella quería que fueran al cine' (She wanted them to go to the cinema).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Meaning Confusion
Mistake: "Assuming 'fueran' always means 'were' (ser)."
Correction: Always check the context. If the sentence involves movement or destination, it's likely 'ir' (to go).
⭐ Usage Tips
Look for the Preposition 'A'
If 'fueran' is followed by the preposition 'a' (e.g., 'fueran a la casa'), it almost always means 'ir' (to go).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: fueran
Question 1 of 2
In the sentence 'Si mis padres _________ más jóvenes, viajarían más,' which meaning of 'fueran' is used?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'fueran' means 'were' (ser) or 'went' (ir)?
You must look at the rest of the sentence. If 'fueran' is followed by a destination (like 'al parque' or 'a casa'), it means 'went' (ir). If it describes a quality, identity, or state (like 'doctores' or 'difíciles'), it means 'were' (ser).
Is 'fueran' the same as 'fuesen'?
Yes, 'fueran' and 'fuesen' are two equally correct forms of the imperfect subjunctive. 'Fueran' (the -ra form) is far more commonly used in most Spanish-speaking regions today, especially in everyday conversation.