Determinásemos

Determinásemos is a form of the Spanish verb determinar. It is the imperfect subjunctive (subjuntivo imperfecto) in the nosotros form, used to express hypothetical, uncertain, or non-real actions in the past, often in subordinate clauses or in conditional constructions.

In contemporary Spanish there are two accepted endings for the imperfect subjunctive in the nosotros person: determináramos and determinásemos. Both convey the same mood and temporal perspective, but regional and stylistic preferences influence their use. Determináramos tends to be more common in Latin American Spanish, while determinásemos is frequently found in various varieties of Peninsular Spanish. The Real Academia Española recognizes both forms as correct alternatives.

Usage examples illustrate its function: “Si determinásemos las condiciones con mayor rigor, podríamos avanzar” and “Si determináramos las reglas, evitaríamos errores.” In contexts of doubt, wish, or reported speech, the imperfect subjunctive with this stem also appears, as in “No creían que determinásemos el rumbo.”

Etymologically, determinásemos is formed from el infinitivo determinar plus the imperfect subjunctive ending -ásemos. It shares its morphology with other -ar verbs in the same tense and mood. While primarily a written grammar concern, determinásemos can appear in formal or literary texts and in careful speech, where the -ásemos variant is preferred by some speakers.

See also: Spanish verb conjugation, subjunctive mood, imperfect subjunctive.