acontecer Present Conjugation
acontecer — to happen
The present indicative features a 'c' to 'zc' change only in the 'yo' form: acontezco.
acontecer Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use this to describe events that occur habitually or general truths. Note that this verb is more formal than 'pasar'.
Notes on acontecer in the Present
The verb is irregular only in the first-person singular (yo acontezco). All other forms are regular (aconteces, acontece, etc.).
Example Sentences
Grandes milagros acontecen cada día.
Great miracles happen every day.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Acontece que no tengo dinero hoy.
It happens that I don't have money today.
él/ella/usted
Yo acontezco en sus sueños frecuentemente.
I appear (happen to be) in her dreams frequently.
yo
Common Mistakes
Mistake: aconteco
Correct: acontezco
Why: The 'c' changes to 'zc' in the 'yo' form for verbs ending in -ecer.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'acontecer' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: acontecí
The preterite of acontecer describes a specific event that took place: acontecí, aconteciste, aconteció.
Imperfect
yo: acontecía
The imperfect of acontecer is regular: acontecía, acontecías, acontecía.
Future
yo: aconteceré
The future tense is regular: aconteceré, acontecerás, acontecerá.
Conditional
yo: acontecería
The conditional is regular: acontecería, acontecerías, acontecería.
Present Subjunctive
yo: acontezca
The present subjunctive of acontecer uses the stem acontezc- to handle the 'c' to 'zc' change.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: aconteciera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the stem acontecie- followed by endings like -ra or -se.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: acontece
The imperative of acontecer is rarely used, but follows the 'c' to 'zc' change in formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no acontezcas
The negative imperative uses the present subjunctive forms: no acontezcas, no acontezca.