detectar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
detectar — to detect
The present subjunctive (detecte, detectes, etc.) expresses wishes, doubts, emotions, and uncertainty.
detectar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive when you're talking about something uncertain, a wish, an emotion, or an opinion. For example, 'Espero que detectes la señal' (I hope you detect the signal) shows hope, which is uncertain. Or 'Dudo que detecte el problema' (I doubt he detects the problem) shows doubt.
Notes on detectar in the Present Subjunctive
Detectar is regular in the present subjunctive. The forms are derived from the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('detecto'), with the vowel changing from 'o' to 'e' for -ar verbs.
Example Sentences
Quiero que detectes la verdad.
I want you to detect the truth.
tú
El profesor espera que detecte los errores.
The professor hopes he detects the errors.
él/ella/usted
Es importante que detectemos la causa.
It's important that we detect the cause.
nosotros
Dudo que detectéis la trampa.
I doubt you all detect the trap.
vosotros
No creo que detecten las irregularidades.
I don't think they detect the irregularities.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the present subjunctive.
Correct: Use 'detectes' after 'quiero que', not 'detectas'.
Why: Expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, etc., require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Forgetting the subjunctive vowel change for -ar verbs.
Correct: The present subjunctive for 'detectar' uses 'e' (detecte, detectes), not 'a'.
Why: The subjunctive mood for -ar verbs uses 'e' endings, while the indicative uses 'a' endings.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: detecto
The present tense (detecto, detectas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, and general truths.
Preterite
yo: detecté
The preterite of detectar is regular: detecté, detectaste, detectó, detectamos, detectasteis, detectaron.
Imperfect
yo: detectaba
The imperfect (detectaba, detectabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past actions and background.
Future
yo: detectaré
The future tense (detectaré, detectarás, etc.) is used for actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: detectaría
The conditional (detectaría, detectarías, etc.) expresses hypotheticals ('would') and polite requests.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: detectara
The imperfect subjunctive (detectara/detectase forms) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, and doubts.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: detecta
Use the imperative forms detecta, detecte, detectemos, detectad, detecten for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no detectes
Use no + present subjunctive forms (no detectes, no detecte, etc.) for negative commands.