One more note about the Past Subjunctive: It can also follow a verb in the main clause that is in the Conditional. For example, "Juan pediría que Ana bailara con él si ella supiera bailar." "Juan would ask Ana to dance with him if she knew how to dance."
Is this the reason one would say "cuanto diera por tener x cosa"?? I really appreciate this video/comment for clarifying the imperfect subjunctive as this is something I have struggled with for a while now. Thank you!
The reason you can say "cuanto diera por tener x cosa" is that Spanish originally did not have a Conditional (that developed at some point during the Old Spanish period, I believe), so like its ancestor Latin, it used the Imperfect Subjunctive as a substitute for the Conditional, and that use is still considered good Spanish today, if only a little archaic. English used to have the same construction, incidentally.
Thanks Professor Jason. Another great explanation. I really enjoy your UA-cam videos, I watch them regularly and find them extremely helpful in keeping me on track & motivated with my Spanish. Muchas gracias!
Professor Jason, you've done it again. You dream weaver. I finally understand past subjunctive and when to use it. Thanks also to the helpful comment from Lee Cox. :)
@acowan123 In Spanish, Querer is translated differently when used in the imperfect or preterite. In the imperfect, it translates to the same as the indicative "to want", while in the preterite, it translates to "to attempt", or "to refuse" depending on whether it's a positive or negative statement. It depends on which verb you use in determining which tense the first verb will be in.
Superb! You are the best! You always have the best way to explain and teach. This is replacing the ending is a easy way. And thanks for wonderful idea!
@NiGhTpRoWlEr1011 This rule has no exceptions in spanish. All the words that are accented before the second syllabe have "tilde" or written accent. We call those words "esdrújulas". For example: tráelo (bring that), película (film). All the more reason to accent words which are accented before the "esdrújula". These words are called "sobreesdrújula". For example: tráemelo (bring that to me), preséntamela (introduce her to me).
Hello Professor Jason, Why for bailar did you use the 3rd person preterite "bailaron" but when you did your longer example with querer you used the imperfect queria? How do you know when to use the preterite and when to use the imperfect for the first verb (v1)?
@TheMrMarMar13 Thanks. It would be this very same video. Everything is the same in terms of when you would conjugate in the past subjunctive, only the forms vary slightly. But remember: trabajara = trabajase. Trabajáramos = trabajásemos. there is absolutely no reason to use the -ase, -ases, -ase, ásemos, áseis, ásen, endings. You can simply use the ones in this video. They are WAY more common.
Hola professor Jason. In the examples you gave on the video.1)Juan quería que Ana bailar a con él 2)ellos nos poedieron que trajeramos el vino. You used the imperfect tense of" querer" in 1), but used preterite tense of "pedir"in 2). I am confused that which form should I pick in a imperfect subj. sentence? Estoy esperando su respuesta.
+Deloris H The use of the past subjunctive in the subordinate clause has nothing to do with deciding whether to use the Preterite or the Imperfect in the main clause. That is governed by the general rules regarding when to use the Preterite as opposed to the Imperfect. In the first sentence, the Imperfect "quería" is required because it refers to an action that was in progress in the past; Juan at that moment was wanting Ana to dance with him. In the second sentence, the Preterite "pidieron" (NOTE TO PROFESSOR JASON: SPELLING ERROR!) is required because it refers to a one-time completed action: They asked us to bring the wine. There was no repeated, ongoing action, so the Preterite is the correct tense.
Thanks I have a quiz tomorrow and this cleared up conjugations. I'm just not sure when to use imperfect sub. or present sub. Great video though, really clear and organized explanations. Muchas gracias!
I´m trying to understand the equivalent of the 2nd conditional of English (If I had more money I would take a holiday) and I think the imperfect subjunctive is used in the first clause (Si yo tuviera mas dinero...). Is this correct? Many thanks!
Nvm i think i just figured out the answer to my question. Will the first verb always be in the imperfect and the second verb be in the past/ imperfect subjunctive which comes from the 3rd person plural of the preterite?
Hi Professor Jason. I'm not very good at Spanish but in your video you say "Juan quiere que Ana baile con él" isn't that "Juan wants Ana to dance with he" rather than "him" ? I´m terrible with all those personal pronouns-indirect-direct objects ect ect Exam in five months :-(
My Spanish teacher spent 3 weeks on this and it was clear as mud. You spent 10 minutes and I (kinda) understand.
Thank you!!
Perfect lesson on the imperfect subjunctive. You have no equal for grammar explicaciónes Profesor Jason. MIL GRACIAS.
.
One more note about the Past Subjunctive: It can also follow a verb in the main clause that is in the Conditional. For example, "Juan pediría que Ana bailara con él si ella supiera bailar." "Juan would ask Ana to dance with him if she knew how to dance."
Is this the reason one would say "cuanto diera por tener x cosa"??
I really appreciate this video/comment for clarifying the imperfect subjunctive as this is something I have struggled with for a while now. Thank you!
The reason you can say "cuanto diera por tener x cosa" is that Spanish originally did not have a Conditional (that developed at some point during the Old Spanish period, I believe), so like its ancestor Latin, it used the Imperfect Subjunctive as a substitute for the Conditional, and that use is still considered good Spanish today, if only a little archaic. English used to have the same construction, incidentally.
Interesting! So would an alternative construction be "cuanto daría"?
Yes. The English equivalent would be "What I would (or, more commonly 'wouldn't') give to have x."
Thank you again--I'm glad to have finally cleared this up.
wow thank you... in 10 mins I have learned much more than I have in class. Cohesive, organized teaching... thank you so much for this!
Maylee Melo you're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Wow, another home run. You have a way of clearing Spanish fog.
Thanks Professor Jason. Another great explanation. I really enjoy your UA-cam videos, I watch them regularly and find them extremely helpful in keeping me on track & motivated with my Spanish. Muchas gracias!
I've been watching your videos for the past two semesters and they've been EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks for all your help!
Professor Jason, you've done it again. You dream weaver. I finally understand past subjunctive and when to use it.
Thanks also to the helpful comment from Lee Cox. :)
god! i finally found one that explains it well in ENGLISH! Thank you so much!
Our book was very poor in my second year spanish class. Your videos helped me get through the class. Thanks a ton!
Mejores maestro en el mundo👏👏👏
Gracias por hacer el video, Profesor! Ahora entiendo el imperfecto de subjuntivo mejor que nunca.
absolutely amazing, I never thought of doing that substitution kind of method! Kudos to another perfectly clear explation on your page!
+bgirlcyrinity Thanks! I appreciate the positive feedback!
You really make things clear and easy to follow :)
You're a life saver. I can't thank you enough. Many thanks
I love the way you teach. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much
Thank you so much :) much more helpful than my Spanish teacher.
@acowan123 In Spanish, Querer is translated differently when used in the imperfect or preterite. In the imperfect, it translates to the same as the indicative "to want", while in the preterite, it translates to "to attempt", or "to refuse" depending on whether it's a positive or negative statement. It depends on which verb you use in determining which tense the first verb will be in.
Superb! You are the best! You always have the best way to explain and teach. This is replacing the ending is a easy way. And thanks for wonderful idea!
Thank you for uploading your videos. They are very helpful. Thank you for sharing it.
Really loved this! Super clear and to the point- one question... in the nosotros form is the accent always on the "e"? Thanks!
Thanks and yes, I'd say so.
@NiGhTpRoWlEr1011 This rule has no exceptions in spanish. All the words that are accented before the second syllabe have "tilde" or written accent. We call those words "esdrújulas". For example: tráelo (bring that), película (film). All the more reason to accent words which are accented before the "esdrújula". These words are called "sobreesdrújula". For example: tráemelo (bring that to me), preséntamela (introduce her to me).
Es bueno que su video ha ayudado muchas personas incluso yo! Puedo sacar una A en mi examen ahora! Muchas gracias!
Hey! I really enjoy your videos they're fab, just one thing though - on the example 'ellos nos piedieron que trajeramos el vino' isn't it 'PIDieron'??
you stress the second to last syllable unless an accent is present to indicate other wise :)
I hope to pass the test tomorrow! Your lesson was very helpful, thank you 👍🏻
de nada. suerte!
Going to use this with my students! Muchísimas gracias señor
Hello Professor Jason,
Why for bailar did you use the 3rd person preterite "bailaron" but when you did your longer example with querer you used the imperfect queria? How do you know when to use the preterite and when to use the imperfect for the first verb (v1)?
SOOO helpful !! 🙏🏽
Thank you! you explained this better than my spanish teacher, we have a test on this tomorrow so Gracias!!!!
@TheMrMarMar13 Thanks. It would be this very same video. Everything is the same in terms of when you would conjugate in the past subjunctive, only the forms vary slightly. But remember: trabajara = trabajase. Trabajáramos = trabajásemos. there is absolutely no reason to use the -ase, -ases, -ase, ásemos, áseis, ásen, endings. You can simply use the ones in this video. They are WAY more common.
Hola professor Jason. In the examples you gave on the video.1)Juan quería que Ana bailar a con él 2)ellos nos poedieron que trajeramos el vino.
You used the imperfect tense of" querer" in 1), but used preterite tense of "pedir"in 2).
I am confused that which form should I pick in a imperfect subj. sentence?
Estoy esperando su respuesta.
+Deloris H The use of the past subjunctive in the subordinate clause has nothing to do with deciding whether to use the Preterite or the Imperfect in the main clause. That is governed by the general rules regarding when to use the Preterite as opposed to the Imperfect.
In the first sentence, the Imperfect "quería" is required because it refers to an action that was in progress in the past; Juan at that moment was wanting Ana to dance with him. In the second sentence, the Preterite "pidieron" (NOTE TO PROFESSOR JASON: SPELLING ERROR!) is required because it refers to a one-time completed action: They asked us to bring the wine. There was no repeated, ongoing action, so the Preterite is the correct tense.
ok right, thanks
You have helped me greatly the night before my test :) gracias!
Finally I have learned this very confusing topic. Muchísimas gracias profe! ;)
Thanks I have a quiz tomorrow and this cleared up conjugations. I'm just not sure when to use imperfect sub. or present sub. Great video though, really clear and organized explanations. Muchas gracias!
Wow. Oh my gosh... I understand it now! Thank you so very much! I just might pass my exam tomorrow!
YOU ARE AMAZING PROFESSOR!!!
imperfect past tense for ar verbs: hablar, hablaba, vaciar, vaciaba, etc.
Thank you very much!! You have made it seem so simple!!!
Thank you so much, Professor Jason! This helped so much, and I will refer to your videos for future guidance!
I´m trying to understand the equivalent of the 2nd conditional of English (If I had more money I would take a holiday) and I think the imperfect subjunctive is used in the first clause (Si yo tuviera mas dinero...). Is this correct? Many thanks!
gracias por tu video , es muy utíl para mí , por que por este momente estudio el subjunctive .
Thank you so much, I have been having troubles trying to understand the imperfect subjunctive. I think I know where Im going now. Gracias
Extremely better then my teacher
bless. this. video.
Vanessa Lopez haha thanks!
I think u are an amazing teacher. Thank u!
Thanks so much! :)
Me alegré que tú hiciera muchos ejemplos.
+christian garrison "que tú hicieras muchos ejemplos." You have the right idea -- just make sure you use the right ending! ;-)
Very clear explanations, nice job!
When -amos is the ending, words like 'supieramos' get the accent on the 3rd to last syllable, right?
Thanks! nice and easy lesson to grasp.
I am learning a lot. Although, did you conjugate "pedir" wrong in the 3rd person? I thought it was "pidieron"....
thank you professor jason. your video was great. i had suscribed to your channel and will be watching the other grammar videos..thanks ;)
Nvm i think i just figured out the answer to my question. Will the first verb always be in the imperfect and the second verb be in the past/ imperfect subjunctive which comes from the 3rd person plural of the preterite?
The trick for conjugation was really useful!
fantastic! I've really been struggling with the imperfect subjunctive, this helped a lot :-)
muchas gracias profesor.
this is so helpful. seriously. iMuchas gracias!
Very helpful lecture, buy gracias!
Thank you for doing this. It helps a lot.
Very good example ,cheers.
Great video! Thanks for the help!
GRACIAS! So helpful ❤
Excellent, very helpful-gracias...
de nada!
Gracias por su ayuda!!!!
garcias senor por ese video fue beneficio a mi me gustaba mucho y queria que usted hiciera un otro video asi.
Really helpful thanks very much
Wait so the same rules like for the present subjunctive still apply?
Cplay Fan as far as when to use, yep.
God bless you 💚
definitely focused on the key points
Corto pero perfecto ;) Muchas Gracias!
It was really good !!!
Thank you so much for explaining this. My spanish teacher isn't half as clear as you are.
Thank you! This was very helpful
This was really informative! thank u so much!
de nada!
Where do you teach?
Thanks. I never understand the morphological reasons for past subjunctive.
¡Muchas gracias!
what is it called with aba and so on? do you have a video for that?
DoctorHpoduction imperfect tense
This was very helpful :)
much appreciated! great vid
HUGE HELP!
why'd you put an accent over the e in estuvieramos?
Great dude
muchas gracias
Awesome!
A different between imperfecto and pluscuamperfecto subjunctivos
verrryyyyy helpful!
well done!
Bravo!!!
excellent !
Great thank you
Great.
very useful
Javier me dijo que me fuera : ... que se fuera ?
Really helpful videos but think it worth noting that the ils form of pedir in the preterite should be pidieron, not piedieron
@jessxoxo59 no se
spelling of pedir in preterite?
Hi Professor Jason. I'm not very good at Spanish but in your video you say "Juan quiere que Ana baile con él" isn't that "Juan wants Ana to dance with he" rather than "him" ?
I´m terrible with all those personal pronouns-indirect-direct objects ect ect
Exam in five months :-(
Someone learnt spanish in Puerto Rico.
Es pidieron no piedieron 8:44
A+
pidieron