fuese and fuera are both imperfect subjunctive, right?. What is the difference in their use?

Attila K.B2Kwiziq community member

fuese and fuera are both imperfect subjunctive, right?. What is the difference in their use?

Asked 2 years ago
John O.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hola Attila, 

Both forms are interchangeable with one another. It is a feature of the subjuntivo imperfecto that there are two possible endings for the verb, and it works throughout all the singular and plural conjugations. It is possible that one has traditional Spanish roots and the other Latin, but I am not sure.

I have heard both used in Spain, and interchangeably by the same person, so it seems to be a matter of preference and / or perhaps the way the verb was originally learned. Here is a good link to a lesson. 

Saludos. John

Conjugate Spanish verbs in the imperfect subjunctive tense (El Imperfecto de Subjuntivo)

David M.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

John and Attila -

You may find it interesting to scroll back a few pages to just over a week ago, and look at Stephanie's question: "-ra/-se conjugation in Spain" -

> where we discussed relative frequencies, circumstances, and personal preferences. I also mentioned that the '-ra' version only dates from the 15th/16th century.

Attila K. asked:

fuese and fuera are both imperfect subjunctive, right?. What is the difference in their use?

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