calificar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
calificar — to grade
The present subjunctive of calificar requires a spelling change from 'c' to 'qu' in all forms: califique, califiques, califique, califiquemos, califiquéis, califiquen.
calificar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this when expressing a wish, doubt, or requirement about how someone grades or evaluates something, such as a teacher wanting students to grade fairly.
Notes on calificar in the Present Subjunctive
This tense features a 'c' to 'qu' spelling change to keep the hard 'k' sound before the letter 'e'. Without it, 'califice' would sound like a 'th' or 's'.
Example Sentences
Espero que el profesor califique pronto los exámenes.
I hope the teacher grades the exams soon.
él/ella/usted
Es necesario que califiquemos estos productos con cuidado.
It is necessary that we rate these products carefully.
nosotros
Dudo que ellos califiquen mi trabajo hoy.
I doubt that they will grade my work today.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'califice' instead of 'califique'.
Correct: califique
Why: In Spanish, 'ce' makes a soft sound. You must use 'que' to maintain the hard 'k' sound of the infinitive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: califico
The present tense of calificar is completely regular: califico, calificas, califica, calificamos, calificáis, califican.
Preterite
yo: califiqué
The preterite of calificar is regular except for the 'yo' form, which changes to 'califiqué' to maintain the hard 'k' sound.
Imperfect
yo: calificaba
The imperfect of calificar is regular: calificaba, calificabas, calificaba, calificábamos, calificabais, calificaban.
Future
yo: calificaré
The future tense of calificar is regular: calificaré, calificarás, calificará, calificaremos, calificaréis, calificarán.
Conditional
yo: calificaría
The conditional of calificar is regular: calificaría, calificarías, calificaría, calificaríamos, calificaríais, calificarían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: calificara
The imperfect subjunctive of calificar is formed from the third-person plural preterite: calificara, calificaras, calificara, calificáramos, calificarais, calificaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: califica
The affirmative imperative uses califica (tú) and califique (usted), maintaining the 'qu' spelling change for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no califiques
The negative imperative always uses the 'qu' spelling change: no califiques, no califique, no califiquemos, no califiquéis, no califiquen.