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Tense guide
Imperfecto progresivo del subjuntivo (se) (Past Progressive Subjunctive (se))

Language: Spanish
Tense:
Person:

Introduction

This verb form talks about an action that was happening or in progress in the past. However, it's not used for simple facts. It's used to describe a past ongoing action from a subjective point of view. You use it to talk about something that someone wished, doubted, or had feelings about in the past.

You use this form to talk about something you wanted or hoped was happening at a past moment. It often follows phrases like `quería que` (I wanted that) or `esperaba que` (I hoped that).

Yo quería que tú estuvieses estudiando cuando yo llegara.
(I wanted you to be studying when I arrived.)
Ella esperaba que nosotros estuviésemos ayudando.
(She was hoping that we were helping.)
Mi padre quería que yo estuviese durmiendo, no jugando.
(My father wanted me to be sleeping, not playing.)

This form is used when someone doubted or did not believe that an action was in progress in the past. It often appears after phrases like `dudaba que` (I doubted that) or `no creía que` (I didn't believe that).

Dudaba que él estuviese trabajando a esa hora.
(I doubted that he was working at that hour.)
No creíamos que ellos estuviesen diciendo la verdad.
(We didn't believe they were telling the truth.)
La jefa negó que sus empleados estuviesen perdiendo el tiempo.
(The boss denied that her employees were wasting time.)

Use this form to express emotions or personal opinions about a past action that was happening. You will see it after expressions like `me sorprendió que` (it surprised me that) or `era una lástima que` (it was a shame that).

Me molestaba que los niños estuviesen gritando todo el día.
(It bothered me that the children were shouting all day.)
Fue fantástico que el equipo estuviese ganando el partido.
(It was fantastic that the team was winning the game.)
Era triste que estuviese lloviendo durante la boda.
(It was sad that it was raining during the wedding.)
A ella le encantaba que su novio le estuviese cantando una canción.
(She loved that her boyfriend was singing a song to her.)

This form is used after phrases that express what was important, necessary, or recommended for a past ongoing action. It follows phrases like `era importante que` or `era necesario que`.

Era importante que todos estuviesen escuchando con atención.
(It was important that everyone was listening carefully.)
Era necesario que el técnico estuviese reparando la máquina.
(It was necessary that the technician was repairing the machine.)

This form is very common after the phrase `como si` (as if / as though). It describes how a person or situation seemed in the past by comparing it to an unreal, ongoing action.

Caminaba como si no estuviese sintiendo dolor.
(He walked as if he wasn't feeling pain.)
Me miró como si yo estuviese diciendo una locura.
(She looked at me as if I were saying something crazy.)
Gastaban dinero como si estuviesen imprimiendo billetes en casa.
(They spent money as if they were printing bills at home.)

This verb form is more common in written and formal Spanish than in everyday conversation. While it is important to recognize it, you will often hear speakers use a simpler verb form in its place.

Further explanations

Conjugation patterns