atentar Present Conjugation
atentar — to attempt an attack
Use the present 'atento', 'atentas', 'atenta' for actions happening now or habitual attempts.
atentar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
The present tense is for actions happening right now ('El político atenta contra la oposición' - The politician attacks the opposition) or for habitual actions ('Este tipo de personas atentan a menudo' - These types of people often attempt attacks). It describes current reality or routine.
Notes on atentar in the Present
Atentar is regular in the present indicative. All forms follow the standard -ar conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Ahora mismo, el equipo atenta contra el récord.
Right now, the team is attempting to break the record.
él/ella/usted
Yo atento a las necesidades de mis clientes.
I attend to the needs of my clients.
yo
Vosotros atentáis a las consecuencias antes de actuar.
You all consider the consequences before acting.
vosotros
Los terroristas atentan con frecuencia.
The terrorists attack frequently.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative 'atenta' when the subjunctive is needed.
Correct: After phrases like 'Espero que...' or 'Dudo que...', use the present subjunctive: 'Espero que atenta' is wrong; 'Espero que atente' is correct.
Why: Expressions of hope, doubt, or emotion require the subjunctive mood, not the indicative.
Mistake: Confusing 'atentamos' (present) with 'atentamos' (preterite).
Correct: Context is key. 'Nosotros atentamos a la verdad' (We are committed to the truth - present) vs. 'Ayer atentamos a la verdad' (Yesterday we committed to the truth - preterite).
Why: The identical form for 'nosotros' in the present and preterite necessitates relying on surrounding words or time indicators.
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Related Tenses
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.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: atenta
Use the imperative 'atenta' and 'atentad' for direct commands in Spanish.
Negative Imperative
yo: no atentes
Use 'no atentes' and 'no atentéis' for negative commands with 'atentar'.