alcanzar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
alcanzar — to reach
The present subjunctive of alcanzar features a 'z' to 'c' spelling change in every form: alcance, alcances, alcance, etc.
alcanzar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this when you hope someone reaches a goal, or when there is doubt about reaching a destination. It's common after expressions like 'Espero que...' or 'Dudo que...'.
Notes on alcanzar in the Present Subjunctive
The entire tense uses 'c' instead of 'z' (alcance) to preserve the soft 's' sound before the 'e' endings. This is a spelling rule, not a stem change.
Example Sentences
Espero que tú alcances tus sueños.
I hope you reach your dreams.
tú
Es importante que el niño alcance su altura ideal.
It is important that the child reaches his ideal height.
él/ella/usted
Dudo que nosotros alcancemos el tren.
I doubt that we will catch the train.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Spelling it with a 'z' (alcanze).
Correct: alcance
Why: In Spanish, the letter 'z' almost never appears before 'e' or 'i'; it must change to 'c'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: alcanzo
The present tense of alcanzar is regular: alcanzo, alcanzas, alcanza, alcanzamos, alcanzáis, alcanzan.
Preterite
yo: alcancé
Alcanzar has a spelling change in the yo form (alcancé) to maintain the soft 'c' sound.
Imperfect
yo: alcanzaba
The imperfect of alcanzar is regular: alcanzaba, alcanzabas, alcanzaba, alcanzábamos, alcanzabais, alcanzaban.
Future
yo: alcanzaré
The future of alcanzar uses the full infinitive as the base: alcanzaré, alcanzarás, alcanzará, alcanzaremos, alcanzaréis, alcanzarán.
Conditional
yo: alcanzaría
The conditional of alcanzar is regular: alcanzaría, alcanzarías, alcanzaría, alcanzaríamos, alcanzaríais, alcanzarían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: alcanzara
The imperfect subjunctive of alcanzar is regular based on the preterite stem: alcanzara, alcanzaras, alcanzara, alcanzáramos, alcanzarais, alcanzaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: alcanza
The imperative of alcanzar uses 'alcanza' for tú and 'alcance(n)' for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no alcances
The negative imperative of alcanzar uses the present subjunctive forms with 'no'.