
abstenerse Present Subjunctive Conjugation
abstenerse — to refrain
The subjunctive uses the 'absteng-' stem: me abstenga, te abstengas, se abstenga.
abstenerse Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use it after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity, such as 'Espero que te abstengas' (I hope you refrain).
Notes on abstenerse in the Present Subjunctive
The stem is derived from the 'yo' form of the present indicative (abstengo), keeping the 'g' throughout the conjugation.
Example Sentences
Es mejor que te abstengas de opinar.
It's better that you refrain from giving your opinion.
tú
Dudo que se abstengan de venir.
I doubt they will refrain from coming.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Busco a alguien que se abstenga de fumar.
I'm looking for someone who refrains from smoking.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Que yo me abstiene.
Correct: Que yo me abstenga.
Why: Subjunctive forms for -er verbs must end in -a, and this verb needs the 'g' stem.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me abstengo
The present of abstenerse follows the pattern of tener: me abstengo, te abstienes, se abstiene.
Preterite
yo: me abstuve
The preterite uses the 'uv' stem: me abstuve, te abstuviste, se abstuvo.
Imperfect
yo: me abstenía
The imperfect is regular for abstenerse: me abstenía, te abstenías, se abstenía.
Future
yo: me abstendré
The future uses the stem 'abstendr-': me abstendré, te abstendrás, se abstendrá.
Conditional
yo: me abstendría
The conditional uses the stem 'abstendr-': me abstendría, te abstendrías.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: me abstuviera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'abstuv-' stem: me abstuviera, te abstuvieras.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: abstente
Direct commands: abstente (tú), absténgase (usted), absteneos (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no te abstengas
Negative commands use the subjunctive: no te abstengas, no se abstenga.