derrotar Conditional Conjugation
derrotar — to defeat
The conditional tense, like 'derrotaría' (I would defeat) and 'derrotarían' (they would defeat), expresses hypotheticals or polite suggestions.
derrotar Conditional Forms
When to Use the Conditional
Use the conditional tense for hypothetical situations ('would defeat'), polite requests, or future actions viewed from a past perspective. For 'derrotar', it's about what someone 'would defeat'. Example: 'Si tuviera la oportunidad, derrotaría a mis rivales.' (If I had the chance, I would defeat my rivals).
Notes on derrotar in the Conditional
Derrotar is regular in the conditional tense. The stem is the full infinitive 'derrotar-', and you add the standard conditional endings (-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían).
Example Sentences
Yo derrotaría al mal si pudiera.
I would defeat evil if I could.
yo
¿Tú derrotarías al dragón?
Would you defeat the dragon?
tú
Él derrotaría a sus enemigos en un duelo.
He would defeat his enemies in a duel.
él/ella/usted
Ellos derrotarían a cualquiera por el trofeo.
They would defeat anyone for the trophy.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the future tense instead of the conditional for hypotheticals.
Correct: For 'would defeat', use the conditional 'derrotaría', not the future 'derrotaré'.
Why: The future tense refers to what WILL happen, while the conditional refers to what WOULD happen.
Mistake: Confusing conditional endings.
Correct: Remember the '-ía' endings: 'derrotaría', 'derrotarías', etc.
Why: These endings are consistent for all verbs in the conditional.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: derroto
The present tense, like 'derroto' (I defeat) and 'derrotan' (they defeat), describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: derroté
The preterite of derrotar is regular: derroté, derrotaste, derrotó, derrotamos, derrotasteis, derrotaron, used for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: derrotaba
The imperfect tense, like 'derrotaba' (I used to defeat) and 'derrotaban' (they used to defeat), describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: derrotaré
The future tense, like 'derrotaré' (I will defeat) and 'derrotarán' (they will defeat), indicates actions that will happen.
Present Subjunctive
yo: derrote
Use present subjunctive forms like 'derrote' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) and 'derroten' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: derrotara
The imperfect subjunctive, like 'derrotara' or 'derrotase', is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: derrota
Use imperative forms like 'derrota' (tú) and 'derroten' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no derrotes
Negative commands use 'no' plus the present subjunctive, like 'no derrotes' (tú) and 'no derroten' (ustedes).