fortalecieran

Fortalecieran is a grammatical form of the Spanish verb fortalecer (to strengthen). Specifically, it is the third-person plural form (ellos/ellas/ustedes) of the pretérito imperfecto de subjuntivo, used to express hypothetical, uncertain, or non-real actions in the past. This tense is often found in clauses that begin with si (if) or in contexts of doubt, desire, or emotion in the past.

Two common variants exist in everyday usage: fortalecieran (the -ra form) and fortaleciesen (the -se form). Both are grammatically correct and interchangeable in many dialects, though regional preferences vary. The imperfect subjunctive forms are used in subordinate clauses after verbs of influence, emotion, doubt, or after conjunctions that introduce hypothetical or counterfactual statements, as well as in indirect speech regarding past possibilities.

Usage examples:

- Si fortalecieran sus defensas, podrían resistir el ataque. (If they strengthened their defenses, they could withstand the attack.)

- No creía que fortalecieran la economía de tal manera. (I didn’t believe that they would strengthen the economy in such a way.)

- Ojalá fortalecieran sus lazos con el equipo. (I hope they would strengthen their ties with the team.)

In translations to English, fortale cieran is typically rendered as “they would strengthen” or “that they would strengthen,” depending on the surrounding context. The form is a key feature of hypothetical or non-factual statements about past situations in Spanish, and it contrasts with the Spanish conditional or other subjunctive moods used in related contexts.