atentar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
atentar — to attempt an attack
Use the imperative 'atenta' and 'atentad' for direct commands in Spanish.
atentar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
The imperative is used for direct commands. For 'atentar', you'd use it to tell someone to attack or attempt an attack, like ordering a soldier into action. It's less common in everyday conversation unless in very specific, forceful contexts.
Notes on atentar in the Affirmative Imperative
Atentar is regular in the imperative. The forms are based on the present subjunctive for 'usted' and 'ustedes', and a modified stem for 'tú' and 'vosotros'.
Example Sentences
¡Atenta contra el objetivo!
Attack the target!
tú
¡Atentad con cuidado!
Attack with care!
vosotros
¡Atenten todos!
Everyone attack!
ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive 'atentar' instead of a command form.
Correct: Use 'atenta', 'atente', 'atentemos', 'atentad', or 'atenten' depending on who you are commanding.
Why: The infinitive is the base form of the verb and is not used for direct commands.
Mistake: Confusing 'atenta' (tú imperative) with 'atenta' (él/ella/usted present indicative).
Correct: The context will usually make it clear, but if you are giving a direct command to 'tú', you use 'atenta'. If you are describing someone else's action in the present, you use 'atenta'.
Why: These forms are identical, so context is key to understanding the intended meaning.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'atentar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: atento
Use the present 'atento', 'atentas', 'atenta' for actions happening now or habitual attempts.
Preterite
yo: atenté
The preterite of 'atentar' is regular: atenté, atentaste, atentó, atentamos, atentasteis, atentaron.
Imperfect
yo: atentaba
Use the imperfect 'atentaba' for ongoing or habitual past actions and descriptions.
Future
yo: atentaré
The future tense 'atentaré', 'atentarás', 'atentará' indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: atentaría
The conditional 'atentaría' expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future possibilities.
Present Subjunctive
yo: atente
Use 'atente' and 'atenten' for wishes, doubts, and emotions about present or future actions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: atentara
The imperfect subjunctive 'atentara' or 'atentase' expresses past hypotheticals or wishes.
Negative Imperative
yo: no atentes
Use 'no atentes' and 'no atentéis' for negative commands with 'atentar'.