decretar Present Conjugation
decretar — to decree
The present tense of decretar is regular: decreto, decretas, decreta, decretamos, decretáis, decretan.
decretar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of decretar for actions happening right now, habitual actions, or general truths related to decreeing. It signifies that something is currently being decreed or is a regular occurrence.
Notes on decretar in the Present
Decretar is regular in the present indicative tense. All conjugations follow the standard -ar pattern.
Example Sentences
El gobierno decreta nuevas medidas cada mes.
The government decrees new measures every month.
él/ella/usted
Ahora mismo, el comité decreta las reglas.
Right now, the committee is decreeing the rules.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros decretamos nuestra propia suerte.
We decree our own luck.
nosotros
¿Tú decretas tus horarios?
Do you decree your own schedules?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense for a unique, completed past action.
Correct: For a specific past decree, use the preterite: 'decretó'.
Why: The present tense implies ongoing or habitual action, not a single finished event.
Mistake: Confusing 'decretamos' (present) with 'decretamos' (preterite).
Correct: Context is key; 'decretamos' is the same in both present and preterite for 'nosotros'.
Why: This shared form requires attention to the surrounding sentence to determine the time frame.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: decreté
The preterite of decretar is regular: decreté, decretaste, decretó, decretamos, decretasteis, decretaron.
Imperfect
yo: decretaba
The imperfect of decretar is regular: decretaba, decretabas, decretaba, decretábamos, decretabais, decretaban.
Future
yo: decretaré
The future of decretar is regular: decretaré, decretarás, decretará, decretaremos, decretaréis, decretarán.
Conditional
yo: decretaría
The conditional of decretar is regular: decretaría, decretarías, decretaría, decretaríamos, decretaríais, decretarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: decrete
The present subjunctive of decretar (decrete, decretes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, or emotions about current or future actions.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: decretara
The imperfect subjunctive of decretar (decretara, decretaras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: decreta
The imperative of decretar is used for direct commands: decreta, decrete, decretemos, decretad, decreten.
Negative Imperative
yo: no decretes
Negative commands use 'no' + present subjunctive forms: no decretes, no decrete, no decretemos, no decretéis, no decreten.