expresaran

Expresaran is the imperfect subjunctive form of the Spanish verb expresar, used for third-person plural subjects (ellos, ellas, ustedes) in dependent clauses that express doubt, emotion, possibility, or hypothetical past context.

Formation and variants: The imperfect subjunctive is formed from the third-person plural preterite form of the verb, with endings -ra or -se. For expresar, the base in the preterite is expresaron; removing -ron and adding the endings yields expresara, expresaras, expresara, expresáramos, expresarais, expresaran. The corresponding -se variant is expresase, expresases, expresase, expresásemos, expresaseis, expresasen. The -ra form, including expresaran, is the more common canonical option in many dialects, while the -se form remains widely understood and used in some regions.

Usage: Expresaran appears in subordinate clauses that describe unreal or hypothetical past situations, desires, or possibilities. It also occurs in hypothetical conditional sentences and after verbs or expressions that require the subjunctive mood. Examples include clauses introduced by si, cuando, aunque, ojalá, or verbs of wishing or necessity.

Examples: Si ellos expresaran su opinión, podríamos planificar mejor el proyecto. No creía que ellos expresaran preocupación, pero era necesario atenderla. Quisiera que expresaran más cuidado en sus comentarios.

Relation to related forms: Expresar as the infinitive and its other tenses contrast with the imperfect subjunctive forms to encode nuances of unreality, doubt, or subjectivity in past contexts. The choice entre -ra and -se variants can reflect regional preferences and stylistic differences.

See also: Spanish subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive, conjugation patterns, expresarse.