desconocer Present Conjugation
desconocer — to not know
Desconocer is irregular only in the 'yo' form (desconozco), otherwise it follows regular -er patterns.
desconocer Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to state that you currently lack knowledge about a fact, person, or place, or to describe a general state of ignorance.
Notes on desconocer in the Present
This verb follows the 'zc' pattern in the first person singular (yo). Instead of 'desconoco', you must say 'desconozco'. All other forms are regular.
Example Sentences
Yo desconozco los motivos de su decisión.
I am unaware of the reasons for his decision.
yo
¿Desconoces quién es el nuevo jefe?
Are you unaware of who the new boss is?
tú
Ellos desconocen las reglas del juego.
They don't know the rules of the game.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'desconoco' for the first person.
Correct: The correct form is 'desconozco'.
Why: Verbs ending in -cer preceded by a vowel typically change 'c' to 'zc' in the 'yo' form to maintain the soft 'th/s' sound before an 'o'.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: desconocí
Desconocer is regular in the preterite: desconocí, desconociste, desconoció, etc.
Imperfect
yo: desconocía
Desconocer is regular in the imperfect: desconocía, desconocías, desconocía...
Future
yo: desconoceré
The future of desconocer is regular: desconoceré, desconocerás, desconocerá...
Conditional
yo: desconocería
The conditional of desconocer is regular: desconocería, desconocerías, desconocería...
Present Subjunctive
yo: desconozca
The present subjunctive uses the 'desconozc-' stem for all forms.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desconociera
The imperfect subjunctive uses the 'desconocier-' stem: desconociera, desconocieras...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desconoce
The imperative uses 'desconoce' (tú) and 'desconozca' (usted).
Negative Imperative
yo: no desconozcas
The negative imperative uses the 'zc' stem: no desconozcas, no desconozca...