derrotar Present Conjugation
derrotar — to defeat
The present tense, like 'derroto' (I defeat) and 'derrotan' (they defeat), describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
derrotar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for actions happening right now, habitual actions, or general truths. For 'derrotar', it means 'to defeat' in a general sense. For example, 'El equipo fuerte derrota al débil' (The strong team defeats the weak one).
Notes on derrotar in the Present
Derrotar is regular in the present indicative. All forms follow the standard pattern for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo derroto a mis oponentes en el ajedrez.
I defeat my opponents in chess.
yo
Ella derrota las expectativas cada día.
She defeats expectations every day.
él/ella/usted
¿Tú derrotas a tus miedos fácilmente?
Do you defeat your fears easily?
tú
Ellos derrotan a la competencia.
They defeat the competition.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense for ongoing actions in the past.
Correct: For ongoing past actions, use the imperfect tense: 'Yo derrotaba...' not 'Yo derroto...'.
Why: The present tense is for the present, not the past.
Mistake: Confusing 'él/ella/usted' with 'yo' or 'tú' forms.
Correct: Remember the endings: 'derrota' for él/ella/usted, 'derrotas' for tú, and 'derroto' for yo.
Why: These are common points of confusion for learners.
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Related Tenses
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.
Conditional
yo: derrotaría
The conditional tense, like 'derrotaría' (I would defeat) and 'derrotarían' (they would defeat), expresses hypotheticals or polite suggestions.
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).