contener Present Subjunctive Conjugation
contener — to contain
The present subjunctive is based on the 'yo' form: contenga, contengas, contenga, contengamos, contengáis, contengan.
contener Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of doubt, desire, or necessity—for example, 'I hope the report contains all the data.'
Notes on contener in the Present Subjunctive
It maintains the -g- from the present indicative 'yo' form (contengo) throughout all persons.
Example Sentences
Espero que el paquete contenga el regalo.
I hope the package contains the gift.
él/ella/usted
Es importante que contengas tus emociones en la reunión.
It's important that you contain your emotions in the meeting.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: contienes (as subjunctive)
Correct: contengas
Why: Learners often forget to switch to the -g- stem for the subjunctive mood.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: contengo
The present of contener follows the 'tener' pattern: contengo, contienes, contiene, contenemos, contenéis, contienen.
Preterite
yo: contuve
The preterite uses the irregular 'tuv' stem: contuve, contuviste, contuvo, contuvimos, contuvisteis, contuvieron.
Imperfect
yo: contenía
The imperfect of contener is completely regular: contenía, contenías, contenía, conteníamos, conteníais, contenían.
Future
yo: contendré
The future uses the irregular stem 'contendr-': contendré, contendrás, contendrá, contendremos, contendréis, contendrán.
Conditional
yo: contendría
The conditional uses the irregular stem 'contendr-': contendría, contendrías, contendría, contendríamos, contendríais, contendrían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: contuviera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'contuv-' stem: contuviera, contuvieras, contuviera, contuviéramos, contuvierais, contuvieran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: contén
Direct commands for contener: contén (tú), contenga (usted), contened (vosotros), contengan (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no contengas
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no contengas, no contenga, no contengamos, no contengáis, no contengan.