hicieras
/ee-SEE-eh-ras/
you did
Depicting the completion of an action, such as 'you did' the cleaning.
hicieras(verb)
you did
?in a conditional or dependent phrase
,you would do
?as a hypothetical action
you were doing
?less common, but possible in certain constructions
📝 In Action
Si me lo pidieras, yo lo hicieras con gusto.
B1If you asked me (to), I would do it gladly.
No creía que tú hicieras ese tipo de cosas.
B2I didn't believe that you did that kind of thing.
Fue una pena que no hicieras el examen final.
B2It was a shame that you didn't take the final exam.
💡 Grammar Points
The Hypothetical Past
"Hicieras" (the imperfect subjunctive) is often used after 'si' (if) to set up a hypothetical situation that is contrary to fact or unlikely, paired with the conditional tense.
Irregular Stem
The verb 'hacer' is highly irregular. Notice how the 'hic-' stem appears in the preterite (past simple) and the subjunctive forms.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Indicative in Conditional Sentences
Mistake: "Si tú hacías esto, estaríamos bien."
Correction: Si tú hicieras esto, estaríamos bien. (We must use the subjunctive form, 'hicieras', after 'si' when expressing a hypothetical condition.)
⭐ Usage Tips
When to Use 'Hicieras'
Use 'hicieras' when the main part of the sentence expresses a feeling (doubt, fear), a request, or a condition that happened in the past, or when setting up a hypothetical 'if' statement.
Illustrating the creation or preparation of an item, like 'you made' a cake.
hicieras(verb)
you made
?referring to creation or preparation, in a conditional or dependent phrase
you prepared
?food or arrangements
📝 In Action
Esperaba que tú hicieras un pastel para la fiesta.
B1I was hoping that you would make a cake for the party.
Si ella te pidiera que hicieras un dibujo, ¿lo harías?
B2If she asked you to make a drawing, would you do it?
💡 Grammar Points
Requesting Creation
When you express a past request or desire for someone to create something, 'hicieras' is the correct form to use after the influencing verb (e.g., 'pedir' or 'esperar').
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hicieras
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'hicieras' to describe a past wish or request?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'hicieras' the same as 'hicieses'?
Yes! Both 'hicieras' and 'hicieses' are forms of the imperfect subjunctive for the 'tú' (you, informal) form. 'Hicieras' (the -ra form) is generally more common in modern Spanish and is used in conditional ('if') sentences, while the -se form ('hicieses') is still correct but less frequent.
Why is 'hicieras' used in 'Si tú hicieras...' (If you did...)?
Spanish uses this special verb form (the imperfect subjunctive) after 'si' (if) when the condition is hypothetical or contrary to reality. You are talking about a possibility that likely won't happen or didn't happen.