caber Present Subjunctive Conjugation
caber — to fit
The present subjunctive is based on the irregular 'yo' form, using the stem 'quep-'.
caber Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire, such as 'Dudo que...' or 'Espero que...'.
Notes on caber in the Present Subjunctive
Every form uses the 'quep-' stem (quepa, quepas, quepa, quepamos, quepáis, quepan).
Example Sentences
No creo que quepan más libros en la estantería.
I don't think any more books will fit on the shelf.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Espero que quepamos todos en el taxi.
I hope we all fit in the taxi.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'caba' instead of 'quepa'.
Correct: quepa
Why: The subjunctive is built from the irregular 'yo' form (quepo), not the infinitive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: quepo
Caber is irregular only in the 'yo' form (quepo); all other forms follow the regular -er pattern.
Preterite
yo: cupe
Caber is highly irregular in the preterite, using the stem 'cup-' for all persons.
Imperfect
yo: cabía
Caber is completely regular in the imperfect: cabía, cabías, cabía, cabíamos, cabíais, cabían.
Future
yo: cabré
The future tense of caber uses the irregular stem 'cabr-'.
Conditional
yo: cabría
The conditional uses the same irregular stem as the future: 'cabr-'.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: cupiera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the irregular preterite stem 'cup-'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: cabe
The imperative uses 'cabe' for 'tú' but switches to 'quep-' for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no quepas
Negative commands for caber always use the 'quep-' stem from the present subjunctive.