atender Present Conjugation
atender — to serve
The present indicative of 'atender' (atiendo, atiendes, atiende, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitually.
atender Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for actions happening right now ('I am serving'), habitual actions ('I always serve coffee'), or general truths ('The store serves lunch'). It's the most common tense for everyday situations.
Notes on atender in the Present
'Atender' is regular in the present indicative. All forms follow the standard pattern for -er verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo atiendo a los clientes en la recepción.
I attend to the clients at the reception.
yo
¿Tú atiendes la tienda los domingos?
Do you work at the store on Sundays?
tú
Él atiende el teléfono cuando suena.
He answers the phone when it rings.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros atendemos a las necesidades de nuestros usuarios.
We attend to the needs of our users.
nosotros
Ellos atienden en la barra del bar.
They serve at the bar counter.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'atender' as a reflexive verb ('atenderse') for 'to pay attention'.
Correct: Use 'prestar atención' or simply 'atender' (without 'se') to mean 'pay attention'.
Why: 'Atenderse' usually means 'to take care of oneself', which is different.
Mistake: Confusing 'atiende' (he/she/you formal serves) with 'atienden' (they/you all serve).
Correct: Make sure the verb ending matches the subject: 'él atiende', 'ellos atienden'.
Why: The third-person singular and plural forms are distinct and crucial for correct meaning.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: atendí
The preterite of 'atender' (atendí, atendiste, atendió, etc.) is for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: atendía
The imperfect of 'atender' (atendía, atendías, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: atenderé
The future tense of 'atender' (atenderé, atenderás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: atendería
The conditional of 'atender' (atendería, atenderías, etc.) expresses hypothetical outcomes or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: atienda
The present subjunctive of 'atender' (atienda, atendamos, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: atendiera
The imperfect subjunctive of 'atender' (atendiera/atendiese) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: atiende
Use 'atiende', 'atienda', 'atendamos', 'atended', 'atiendan' for direct commands with 'atender'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no atiendas
Use 'no atiendas', 'no atienda', 'no atendamos', 'no atendáis', 'no atiendan' for negative commands.