aplicar Present Conjugation
aplicar — to apply
The present tense of aplicar is regular: aplico, aplicas, aplica, aplicamos, aplicáis, aplican.
aplicar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to talk about habits, like applying a filter to photos, or general truths, like how a law applies to everyone.
Notes on aplicar in the Present
Aplicar is completely regular in the present indicative. There are no spelling changes in this specific tense.
Example Sentences
Yo siempre aplico una crema solar antes de salir.
I always apply sunscreen before going out.
yo
Esta regla no aplica en este caso.
This rule does not apply in this case.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros aplicamos el descuento automáticamente.
We apply the discount automatically.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'aplicar para' a job.
Correct: Use 'solicitar' or 'postular a' for jobs.
Why: In Spanish, 'aplicar' usually means to put something on a surface or to implement a rule; using it for job applications is an anglicism.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: apliqué
The preterite has a spelling change in the 'yo' form (apliqué) to keep the 'k' sound.
Imperfect
yo: aplicaba
The imperfect of aplicar is regular: aplicaba, aplicabas, aplicaba, aplicábamos, aplicabais, aplicaban.
Future
yo: aplicaré
The future of aplicar is regular: aplicaré, aplicarás, aplicará, aplicaremos, aplicaréis, aplicarán.
Conditional
yo: aplicaría
The conditional of aplicar is regular: aplicaría, aplicarías, aplicaría, aplicaríamos, aplicaríais, aplicarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: aplique
All forms of the present subjunctive change 'c' to 'qu': aplique, apliques, aplique, apliquemos, apliquéis, apliquen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: aplicara
The imperfect subjunctive is regular: aplicara, aplicaras, aplicara, aplicáramos, aplicarais, aplicaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: aplica
Give commands using 'aplica' (tú) or 'aplique' (usted/formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: no apliques
Negative commands always use 'qu': no apliques, no aplique, no apliquemos, no apliquéis, no apliquen.