Using the Imperfect Subjunctive in Subordinate Clauses (Part 2)

Okay, let's craft a comprehensive theory lesson on the Imperfect Subjunctive in Subordinate Clauses (Part 2) for a B2 Spanish course. This lesson assumes students have already been introduced to the basic formation and primary uses of the imperfect subjunctive (e.g., expressing past emotions, doubts, or desires).

B2 — Upper-intermediate: Theory Lesson

Subject: Spanish For English Speakers
Lesson Title: Using the Imperfect Subjunctive in Subordinate Clauses (Part 2)

Introduction: Building on the Foundations

Welcome back! In "Part 1" of the Imperfect Subjunctive, we learned its formation and how it's used when a main clause verb in a past tense (Preterite, Imperfect, Pluperfect) triggers an expression of emotion, doubt, opinion, or desire in a subordinate clause.

For example:

• Dudaba que vinieras a la fiesta. (I doubted that you would come to the party.)
• Me alegró que estuviera tan contento. (It made me happy that he was so happy.)

In this "Part 2," we will dive into more advanced and common scenarios where the Imperfect Subjunctive is indispensable for expressing hypothetical situations, politeness, and actions dependent on past circumstances. This includes conditional sentences, the phrase "como si," and specific conjunctions.

The Core Principle Reminder: The imperfect subjunctive is typically used in the subordinate clause when the verb in the main clause is in a past tense (Preterite, Imperfect, Pluperfect) or the Conditional, and the subordinate clause expresses a subjective, hypothetical, or dependent action/state.

1. Conditional Sentences (Type 2: Unreal Present/Future)

This is one of the most crucial uses of the Imperfect Subjunctive at the B2 level. It allows us to talk about hypothetical situations that are contrary to fact or unlikely to happen in the present or future.

The structure is:
Si + Imperfect Subjunctive, Conditional Simple

• Meaning: "If [hypothetical situation], [result would be]."
• Use: Expressing what would happen if something were different.

Examples:

• Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por el mundo.
  (If I had more money, I would travel the world. – But I don't have more money now.)
• Si fuera más alto, jugaría al baloncesto.
  (If I were taller, I would play basketball. – But I'm not taller.)
• Si pudieras venir, me encantaría.
  (If you could come, I would love it. – But you probably can't.)
• Si ellos estudiaran más, sacarían mejores notas.
  (If they studied more, they would get better grades. – But they don't study more.)
• ¿Qué harías si ganaras la lotería?
  (What would you do if you won the lottery?)

Note: In English, we often use "were" even for singular subjects ("If I were"), which parallels the subjunctive mood in Spanish.

2. Expressing Politeness and Suggestions

The Imperfect Subjunctive is frequently used to make requests or express desires in a very polite and softened manner. The verbs querer and gustar are common here.

• Quisiera... (I would like...)

• This is the imperfect subjunctive of querer. It's a very common and polite way to say "I would like" or "I wish to."

• Examples:

• Hola, quisiera una mesa para dos, por favor.
  (Hello, I would like a table for two, please.)

• Quisiera hablar con el gerente.
  (I would like to speak with the manager.)

• Quisiéramos más información sobre este tema.
  (We would like more information about this topic.)

• Me gustaría que... (I would like you to...)

• This structure uses the conditional gustaría with the imperfect subjunctive in the subordinate clause, making it a very polite request or suggestion.

• Examples:

• Me gustaría que vinieras a mi casa mañana.
  (I would like you to come to my house tomorrow.)

• Le gustaría que le ayudaras con su tarea.
  (He would like you to help him with his homework.)

• Nos gustaría que compartieran sus opiniones.
  (We would like you to share your opinions.)

3. The Expression "Como si..." (As if...)

The phrase como si (as if / as though) always triggers the subjunctive mood. When the action in the "as if" clause refers to something happening in the present or is a hypothetical past action, the Imperfect Subjunctive is used.

• Meaning: Expressing that something appears to be true, even if it isn't, or describing an action that resembles another.

Examples:

• Habla como si fuera el dueño de la empresa.
  (He talks as if he were the owner of the company. – But he isn't.)
• Se rieron como si no hubiera mañana.
  (They laughed as if there were no tomorrow.)
• Corría como si lo persiguiera un monstruo.
  (He was running as if a monster were chasing him.)
• Me miró como si me conociera de toda la vida.
  (He looked at me as if he had known me all his life.)
• Tratan a su hijo como si fuera un rey.
  (They treat their son as if he were a king.)

Important: If the "as if" action refers to something that happened even further in the past relative to the main verb, you would use the Pluperfect Subjunctive (e.g., como si hubiera comido - as if he had eaten). But for B2, focus on the Imperfect Subjunctive for contemporary or generally hypothetical "as if" scenarios.

4. Conjunctions that Always Trigger Subjunctive (in Past Contexts)

There are several conjunctions that always demand the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. When the main verb is in a past tense (Preterite, Imperfect, Pluperfect) or the Conditional, these conjunctions will trigger the Imperfect Subjunctive in the dependent clause.

Common conjunctions include:

• para que (in order that, so that)
• a menos que (unless)
• sin que (without)
• antes de que (before)
• en caso de que (in case that)
• con tal de que (provided that, as long as)
• a no ser que (unless)
• aunque (even if, even though - when expressing doubt or contrary to fact)

Examples:

• Estudiamos mucho para que aprobáramos el examen.
  (We studied a lot so that we would pass the exam.)
• No podía salir a menos que terminara mi tarea.
  (I couldn't go out unless I finished my homework.)
• Se fue de la casa sin que nadie lo viera.
  (He left the house without anyone seeing him.)
• Llegamos al cine antes de que empezara la película.
  (We arrived at the cinema before the movie started.)
• Te lo decía en caso de que lo necesitaras.
  (I was telling you in case you needed it.)
• Te ayudaría con tal de que me pagaras.
  (I would help you provided that you paid me.)
• Aunque fuera difícil, lo intentamos.
  (Even if it were difficult, we tried.)

Reminder: How to Form the Imperfect Subjunctive

Just a quick recap, as it's vital for using these structures correctly:

1. Take the ellos/ellas/ustedes form of the verb in the Preterite tense.
2. Drop the -ron ending.
3. Add the Imperfect Subjunctive endings:

• -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran (most common and usually preferred)
• -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen (also correct, but less common in everyday speech)

Example with -ra forms:

Verb	Preterite (ellos)	Stem	Imperfect Subjunctive
hablar	hablaron	habla-	hablara, hablaras, etc.
comer	comieron	comie-	comiera, comieras, etc.
vivir	vivieron	vivie-	viviera, vivieras, etc.
tener	tuvieron	tuvie-	tuviera, tuvieras, etc.
ir/ser	fueron	fue-	fuera, fueras, etc.

Key Takeaways for Part 2:

• The Imperfect Subjunctive is essential for forming Type 2 conditional sentences (Si + Imperfect Subjunctive, Conditional Simple) to discuss unreal present/future situations.
• It's used for polite requests with quisiera and me gustaría que.
• The phrase "como si" (as if) always triggers the imperfect subjunctive (or pluperfect subjunctive).
• Remember to use the Imperfect Subjunctive with conjunctions that always demand subjunctive when the main verb is in a past tense or conditional.

Mastering these uses will significantly enhance your ability to express complex ideas, hypothetical scenarios, and polite interactions in Spanish. Practice these structures regularly to make them feel natural!