defenderse Present Subjunctive Conjugation
defenderse — to defend oneself
The present subjunctive keeps the e-ie stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
defenderse Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of doubt, desire, or necessity, such as 'Espero que te defiendas' (I hope you defend yourself).
Notes on defenderse in the Present Subjunctive
The stem change (ie) matches the present indicative pattern. The endings are -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
Example Sentences
Es importante que te defiendas.
It is important that you defend yourself.
tú
No creo que se defiendan solos.
I don't think they will defend themselves alone.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Buscan a alguien que nos defienda.
They are looking for someone who can defend us.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Que nos defendiamos.
Correct: Que nos defendamos.
Why: The nosotros form of the present subjunctive does not have the e-ie stem change.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: me defiendo
The present of defenderse is stem-changing (e-ie) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
yo: me defendí
The preterite of defenderse is completely regular, following standard -er endings.
Imperfect
yo: me defendía
The imperfect of defenderse is regular: me defendía, te defendías, se defendía...
Future
yo: me defenderé
The future of defenderse is regular: me defenderé, te defenderás, se defenderá...
Conditional
yo: me defendería
The conditional is regular: me defendería, te defenderías, se defendería...
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: me defendiera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'defendier-' stem: me defendiera, te defendieras...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: defiéndete
In the affirmative imperative, pronouns attach to the end: defiéndete, defiéndase.
Negative Imperative
yo: no te defiendas
The negative imperative uses 'no' + present subjunctive: no te defiendas.