desistir Present Subjunctive Conjugation
desistir — to give up
The present subjunctive of desistir (desista, desistas, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
desistir Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
This tense is your go-to when talking about wishes, doubts, emotions, recommendations, or anything that isn't a stated fact. For 'desistir', it's often used when you want someone *not* to give up or express hope that they won't.
Notes on desistir in the Present Subjunctive
Desistir is regular in the present subjunctive. The forms are based on the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('desisto'), with the endings flipped for -ir verbs (o -> a).
Example Sentences
Espero que no desistas de tu plan.
I hope you don't give up on your plan.
tú
Dudo que él desista ahora.
I doubt he will give up now.
él/ella/usted
Es importante que no desistamos ante el primer obstáculo.
It's important that we don't give up at the first obstacle.
nosotros
Quieren que ustedes desistan de la demanda.
They want you all to give up the lawsuit.
Me alegra que no hayáis desistido.
I'm happy that you (plural, informal) haven't given up.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the present subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'desistas' instead of 'desistes' after expressions like 'Espero que...'.
Why: Expressions of hope, doubt, or emotion trigger the subjunctive mood, not the indicative.
Mistake: Forgetting that negative commands use the present subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'no desistas' for a negative command to 'tú', not 'no desistes'.
Why: Negative commands are a specific use case of the present subjunctive.
Master Spanish verbs in context
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: desisto
The present tense of desistir (desisto, desistes, etc.) means to give up habitually or right now.
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.
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.