cagar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
cagar — to mess up
Use present subjunctive after doubts, wishes, emotions: 'espero que cagues', 'dudo que cague'.
cagar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, uncertainty, or necessity. For 'cagar,' it often appears when someone hopes you *don't* mess something up, or when there's doubt about whether something *will* be messed up.
Notes on cagar in the Present Subjunctive
Cagar is regular in the present subjunctive. The stem is formed from the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('cago'), dropping the '-o', and then adding the opposite vowel endings (-e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en).
Example Sentences
Espero que no cagues la entrevista.
I hope you don't mess up the interview.
tú
Dudo que él cague la oportunidad.
I doubt he will mess up the opportunity.
él/ella/usted
Queremos que ustedes no caguen el resultado.
We want you (plural) not to mess up the result.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
No creo que caguemos la cena.
I don't think we'll mess up the dinner.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: After verbs expressing doubt or hope like 'dudar' or 'esperar,' use the present subjunctive: 'Dudo que caga' is wrong; 'Dudo que cague' is correct.
Why: These trigger phrases require the subjunctive mood to express uncertainty or desire.
Mistake: Forgetting the stem change in the 'nosotros' form.
Correct: The 'nosotros' form is 'caguemos,' not 'cagamos.'
Why: While the stem for most present subjunctive forms comes from 'yo cago', the 'nosotros' form keeps the 'u' sound needed for the 'g' to sound like /g/ not /h/.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: cago
Use present for current actions or habits: 'cago' (I mess up), 'cagan' (they mess up).
Preterite
yo: cagué
Use preterite for completed past actions: 'cagué' (I messed up), 'cagó' (he/she messed up).
Imperfect
yo: cagaba
Use imperfect for ongoing/habitual past actions: 'cagaba' (I used to mess up), 'cagaban' (they used to mess up).
Future
yo: cagaré
Use future for predictions: 'cagaré' (I will mess up), 'cagarán' (they will mess up).
Conditional
yo: cagaría
Use conditional for hypotheticals ('would'): 'cagaría' (I would mess up), 'cagarían' (they would mess up).
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: cagara
Use 'cagar' imperfect subjunctive for past hypotheticals or wishes: 'si cagara,' 'ojalá cagase'.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: caga
Use 'cagar' commands directly: 'caga' (tú), 'caguen' (ustedes), etc.
Negative Imperative
yo: no cagues
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive: 'no cagues' (tú), 'no caguen' (ustedes).