atender Present Subjunctive Conjugation
atender — to serve
The present subjunctive of 'atender' (atienda, atendamos, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
atender Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this tense after phrases that express wishes ('quiero que...'), doubts ('dudo que...'), emotions ('me alegra que...'), or recommendations ('recomiendo que...'). It's about subjective feelings or states regarding an action like serving or paying attention.
Notes on atender in the Present Subjunctive
'Atender' is regular in the present subjunctive. The forms are derived from the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('atiendo'), dropping the -o and adding the opposite vowel endings (-a for -er/-ir verbs).
Example Sentences
Espero que atiendas bien a los invitados.
I hope you serve the guests well.
tú
El doctor quiere que usted atienda su dieta.
The doctor wants you to attend to your diet.
Es importante que atendamos las necesidades de todos.
It's important that we attend to everyone's needs.
nosotros
Dudo que ellos atiendan la llamada.
I doubt they will pay attention to the call.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Me sorprende que no atienda a las instrucciones.
It surprises me that he doesn't pay attention to the instructions.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the present subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'atiendas' after 'Espero que...', not 'atiendes'.
Why: Certain trigger phrases (like 'espero que', 'dudo que') require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Forgetting the subjunctive ending changes for -er verbs.
Correct: The endings are -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an (e.g., 'atienda', 'atendamos').
Why: Learners sometimes incorrectly use -e endings (like for -ar verbs) or -o endings.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'atender' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: atiendo
The present indicative of 'atender' (atiendo, atiendes, atiende, etc.) is for actions happening now or habitually.
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.
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.