Aunque + the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish

 

Aunque is a Spanish conjunction that can be used with different tenses.

Learn about using aunque with El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo in Spanish

Aunque can be followed by El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo. This happens in one of these two situations:

1. The information after aunque refers to a past action.

Using the subjunctive mood implies that the information has already been mentioned and is shared by the speaker and the listener. For example:

-La reunión de ayer con los clientes fue un éxito.
-Sí, pero aunque fuera un éxito, tuvimos que ceder demasiado por nuestra parte.

-The meeting with the clients yesterday was a success.
-Yes, but even though it was a success, we had to compromise too much on our side. 

The second speaker uses El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo because they both know that it was successful, so this bit of information is shared by both people involved.

Here are some more examples:

Aunque hablaran del asunto todavía no han resuelto el problema.Despite having talked about the issue they haven't sorted the problem yet.

Aunque me ofreciesen ayuda yo no he podido superarlo.Despite having been offered some help I haven't been able to get over it.

Aunque destrozaran el parque los chicos no han sido castigados.Despite destroying the park the boys haven't been punished.

 

2. The information after aunque refers to a future hypothetical idea.  For example:

-No entiendo por qué el cliente no quiere firmar el contrato.
-Yo creo que aunque le ofrecieras más ventajas, no firmaría tampoco. Es un cliente muy testarudo.

-I don't understand why the client doesn't want to sign the contract.
-I think, even if you offered him /were to offer more advantages, he would still not sign. He is a very stubborn client.

The second speaker is using El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo to express a hypothetical idea in the future.

Notice how in both examples above, the tense used in English is the preterite. 

Here are some more examples:

Ella no te diría su secreto aunque insistieras.She wouldn't tell you her secret even if you insisted.

Aunque me suplicaras no me casaría contigo.Even if you begged me I wouldn't marry you.

Aunque Miguel y yo nos divorciáramos, él siempre será mi único amor.Even if Miguel and I were to divorce, he will always be my only love.

 

Aunque with past tenses in the indicative in Spanish

However, aunque could also be followed by a past tense in the indicative, like El Pretérito Indefinido or El Pretérito Imperfecto in Spanish. In this case, the implication is that the information given after aunque is new information, mentioned for the first time by the speaker.

For example:

El cliente firmó el contrato, aunque fue difícil convencerlo.The client signed the contract, although it was difficult to persuade him.

Aunque sabía la verdad, se mantuvo callado.Although he knew the truth, he kept quiet.

 

See also Aunque + the present indicative vs the present subjunctive in Spanish.

To revise the forms of El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo see Conjugate Spanish verbs in the Spanish imperfect subjunctive tense (El Imperfecto de Subjuntivo)

 

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Examples and resources

El cliente firmó el contrato, aunque fue difícil convencerlo.The client signed the contract, although it was difficult to persuade him.
Aunque sabía la verdad, se mantuvo callado.Although he knew the truth, he kept quiet.

Refers to a past action. Information already shared


Aunque destrozaran el parque los chicos no han sido castigados.Despite destroying the park the boys haven't been punished.
Aunque hablaran del asunto todavía no han resuelto el problema.Despite having talked about the issue they haven't sorted the problem yet.
Aunque me ofreciesen ayuda yo no he podido superarlo.Despite having been offered some help I haven't been able to get over it.

Refers to a hypothetical idea in the future


Aunque me suplicaras no me casaría contigo.Even if you begged me I wouldn't marry you.
Aunque Miguel y yo nos divorciáramos, él siempre será mi único amor.Even if Miguel and I were to divorce, he will always be my only love.
Ella no te diría su secreto aunque insistieras.She wouldn't tell you her secret even if you insisted.
I'll be right with you...