desatar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
desatar — to untie
The present subjunctive of desatar (desate, desates, desatemos, desaten, desatéis) is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, or uncertainty.
desatar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
You'll use this tense when expressing wishes, doubts, emotions, or making requests. For example, 'Espero que desates el nudo' (I hope you untie the knot) or 'Dudo que desaten la carga' (I doubt they will untie the load).
Notes on desatar in the Present Subjunctive
Desatar is regular in the present subjunctive. The forms are created by taking the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('desato'), dropping the '-o', and adding the opposite vowel endings (-e for -ar verbs).
Example Sentences
Quiero que desates la bufanda.
I want you to untie the scarf.
tú
Es importante que desatemos los cordones antes de correr.
It's important that we untie our shoelaces before running.
nosotros
No creo que desaten el barco hoy.
I don't think they will untie the boat today.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Le pido que desate el paquete con cuidado.
I ask him/her to untie the package carefully.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after 'espero que'.
Correct: Use 'Espero que desates', not 'Espero que desatas'.
Why: 'Esperar que' (to hope that) triggers the subjunctive mood when the subject changes.
Mistake: Confusing the 'vosotros' form.
Correct: The 'vosotros' form is 'desatéis'.
Why: This is the standard present subjunctive ending for -ar verbs in the 'vosotros' form.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'desatar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: desato
The present tense of desatar (desato, desatas, desata, desatamos, desatáis, desatan) describes current actions, habits, or general truths.
Preterite
yo: desaté
The preterite of desatar is regular: desaté, desataste, desató, desatamos, desatasteis, desataron, used for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: desataba
The imperfect of desatar (desataba, desatabas, desataba, desatábamos, desatabais, desataban) describes ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: desataré
The future tense of desatar (desataré, desatarás, desatará, desataremos, desataréis, desatarán) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: desataría
The conditional of desatar (desataría, desatarías, desataría, desataríamos, desataríais, desatarían) is used for hypotheticals ('would untie') and polite requests.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desatara
The imperfect subjunctive of desatar (desatara/desatase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or to express doubt in the past.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desata
Use 'desata' (tú), 'desate' (usted), 'desatemos' (nosotros), 'desaten' (ustedes), and 'desatad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desates
Use 'no desates' (tú), 'no desate' (usted), 'no desatemos' (nosotros), 'no desaten' (ustedes), and 'no desatéis' (vosotros) for negative commands.