In addition to the commonly used -ra endings, Spanish also has an alternative set of endings for the past subjunctive, known as the -se endings. While this form is less commonly used in modern Spanish, it is still important to understand, as it can appear in literature, formal writing, or when reading older texts. This lesson will introduce you to the -se form of the past subjunctive, show you how it is formed, and compare it to the more common -ra form.
The -se form of the past subjunctive is created similarly to the -ra form, but with different endings. Here’s how it’s done:
Yo | - se | Nosotros | - semos |
Tú (Juana, Juan) | - ses | Vosotros (informal Spain) | - seis |
Él/Ella/Ud. (Sra./Dr. García) | - se | Ellos/Ellas/Uds. | - sen |
Example Verbs:
Infinitive | Stem | Yo (Ra Form) | Yo (Se Form) |
---|---|---|---|
hablar | habla- | hablara | hablase |
comer | comie- | comiera | comiese |
vivir | vivie- | viviera | viviese |
tener | tuvie- | tuviera | tuviese |
hacer | hicie- | hiciera | hiciese |
decir | dije- | dijera | dijese |
poder | pudie- | pudiera | pudiese |
ser/ir | fue- | fuera | fuese |
Both the -ra and -se forms of the past subjunctive are grammatically correct and interchangeable in meaning. The choice between them is often a matter of regional preference or formality. In most of Latin America and modern Spanish, the -ra form is more commonly used, while the -se form is seen more frequently in Spain, formal writing, or literature.
Examples:
To help you become familiar with the -se form of the past subjunctive, try converting the following sentences from the -ra form to the -se form.
1. Si yo hablara más despacio, me entenderías.
2. Quería que nosotros fuéramos a la fiesta.
3. Si tú vinieras a mi casa, te mostraría las fotos.
4. Dudaba que ellos comieran todo.
5. Esperaba que ella dijera la verdad.
Answers:
While the -ra form is more common in everyday speech, the -se form can be used interchangeably and is often seen in:
The -se form of the past subjunctive, though less common than the -ra form, is still an important part of Spanish grammar. Understanding this form will help you better comprehend formal writing, literature, and regional variations in Spanish. By practicing both forms, you’ll become more versatile in your use of the past subjunctive, whether you encounter it in spoken or written Spanish.