desistir Present Conjugation
desistir — to give up
The present tense of desistir (desisto, desistes, etc.) means to give up habitually or right now.
desistir Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of 'desistir' to describe actions of giving up that happen regularly, are happening at this moment, or are general truths. It's less common to use 'desistir' in the present tense for a current action unless emphasizing a habitual tendency.
Notes on desistir in the Present
Desistir is regular in the present indicative tense.
Example Sentences
Yo no desisto fácilmente, siempre busco una solución.
I don't give up easily, I always look for a solution.
yo
¿Por qué desistes de intentarlo cada vez que se pone difícil?
Why do you give up trying every time it gets difficult?
tú
Él desiste de sus objetivos si ve que no puede alcanzarlos.
He gives up on his goals if he sees he can't reach them.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros desistimos de quejarnos porque nadie nos escucha.
We give up complaining because nobody listens to us.
nosotros
Ellos desisten de la idea de viajar este año debido al costo.
They are giving up the idea of traveling this year due to the cost.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present tense when the preterite is needed for a completed action.
Correct: If you stopped trying yesterday, say 'Desistí', not 'Desisto'.
Why: The present tense implies habit or ongoing action, while the preterite indicates a specific, finished event.
Mistake: Confusing 'desiste' (él/ella/usted) with 'desisto' (yo).
Correct: Remember 'desisto' is for 'yo' and 'desiste' is for 'él/ella/usted'.
Why: These are common conjugation errors where similar-sounding forms are mixed up.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: desistí
The preterite of desistir is regular: desistí, desististe, desistió, desistimos, desististeis, desistieron.
Imperfect
yo: desistía
The imperfect of desistir (desistía, desistías, etc.) describes past habits or ongoing actions of giving up.
Future
yo: desistiré
The future tense of desistir (desistiré, desistirás, etc.) expresses that someone will give up.
Conditional
yo: desistiría
The conditional of desistir (desistiría, desistirías, etc.) expresses 'would give up' or polite suggestions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: desista
The present subjunctive of desistir (desista, desistas, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: desistiera
The imperfect subjunctive of desistir (desistiera, desistieras, etc.) is used for past hypotheticals or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: desiste
Desist has regular imperative forms like desiste, desista, desistamos, desistan, desistid.
Negative Imperative
yo: no desistas
Negative commands for desistir use 'no' + present subjunctive: no desistas, no desista, no desistamos, no desistan, no desistáis.