derrotar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
derrotar — to defeat
Use present subjunctive forms like 'derrote' (yo/él/ella/Ud.) and 'derroten' (ellos/ellas/Uds.) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
derrotar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used when the main clause expresses doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty, and the subordinate clause has a different subject. For 'derrotar', it's like 'I want you to defeat...' or 'It's unlikely that they will defeat...'. Example: 'Espero que derrotes al malo.' (I hope you defeat the bad guy).
Notes on derrotar in the Present Subjunctive
Derrotar is regular in the present subjunctive. The forms are derived from the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('derroto') by dropping the -o and adding the opposite vowel endings.
Example Sentences
Dudo que él derrote al campeón.
I doubt he will defeat the champion.
él/ella/usted
Necesito que derrotéis al monstruo.
I need you all to defeat the monster.
vosotros
Te pido que no derrotes a nadie.
I ask you not to defeat anyone.
tú
Es importante que derrotemos el problema.
It's important that we defeat the problem.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the present subjunctive.
Correct: After verbs expressing doubt, desire, or emotion, use the subjunctive form, e.g., 'Dudo que derrote' not 'Dudo que derrota'.
Why: The subjunctive mood is required for these types of expressions.
Mistake: Forgetting the subjunctive when subjects differ.
Correct: If the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause, use the subjunctive. 'Yo quiero que tú derrotes' not 'Yo quiero que tú derrotas'.
Why: A change in subject often triggers the subjunctive mood.
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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.
Conditional
yo: derrotaría
The conditional tense, like 'derrotaría' (I would defeat) and 'derrotarían' (they would defeat), expresses hypotheticals or polite suggestions.
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).