aguardar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
aguardar — to wait for
The present subjunctive ('aguarde', 'aguardes') is used for wishes, doubts, and emotions about waiting.
aguardar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this tense when expressing hopes, desires, doubts, or emotions about someone waiting or about the act of waiting. For instance, 'Espero que me aguarden' (I hope they wait for me) or 'Dudo que aguarden mucho tiempo' (I doubt they will wait long). It's also used in negative commands.
Notes on aguardar in the Present Subjunctive
Aguardar is regular in the present subjunctive. It follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs: change the 'a' to an 'e' in the endings (aguarde, aguardes, aguardemos, aguardéis, aguarden).
Example Sentences
Espero que aguarden mi llamada.
I hope they wait for my call.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Quiero que aguardes aquí.
I want you to wait here.
tú
Dudamos que él aguarde noticias hoy.
We doubt he will wait for news today.
él/ella/usted
Te pido que no aguardes por mí.
I ask you not to wait for me.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative ('aguardan') instead of the present subjunctive ('aguarden') after expressions of hope or doubt.
Correct: After verbs like 'esperar', 'dudar', 'querer', use the present subjunctive: 'Espero que aguarden'.
Why: These trigger the subjunctive mood because they express subjectivity, not a factual statement.
Mistake: Confusing the 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: Both 'aguarde' (yo) and 'aguarde' (él/ella/usted) are the same. Context clarifies who is waiting.
Why: This is a common feature of the present subjunctive for -ar verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: aguardo
The present tense 'aguardo', 'aguardas', 'aguarda' describes current or habitual waiting.
Preterite
yo: aguardé
The preterite of 'aguardar' is regular: aguardé, aguardaste, aguardó, aguardamos, aguardasteis, aguardaron.
Imperfect
yo: aguardaba
The imperfect 'aguardaba' describes ongoing or habitual waiting in the past.
Future
yo: aguardaré
The future tense 'aguardaré', 'aguardarás' indicates future waiting or probability.
Conditional
yo: aguardaría
The conditional 'aguardaría' expresses hypothetical waiting or polite requests.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: aguardara
The imperfect subjunctive ('aguardara'/'aguardase') expresses hypothetical or uncertain waiting in the past.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aguarda
Use 'aguarda' (tú) and 'aguarden' (ustedes) for direct commands to wait.
Negative Imperative
yo: no aguardes
Use 'no aguardes' (tú) and 'no aguarden' (ustedes) for negative commands to not wait.