Preterite Stem

The 'yo' form in the present tense is irregular: 'detengo'. This happens because it follows the pattern of the verb 'tener' (to have).

The 'Yo' Form Trick

Use 'detener' when *you* are stopping *something else* (like a car or a process). If you are stopping yourself, use 'detenerse' (Definition 3).

Transitive Action

Extremely common. Used for stopping physical or abstract movement.

This meaning is often used in the passive voice: 'El ladrón fue detenido' (The thief was detained).

Passive Voice

Common in legal, police, or journalistic contexts.

Imperative Pronoun Placement

When you add 'se' to 'detener' (detenerse), it means the subject is stopping *itself*. Remember to use the matching pronoun (me, te, nos, etc.) before the verb.

The Reflexive 'Se'

'Detenerse' is ideal for taking a momentary pause, whether physically (stopping on the sidewalk) or mentally (pausing to think).

Stopping vs. Pausing

Very common for describing a person or object stopping its own movement.

Master the Spanish verb 'detener' (to stop, to detain, to halt). Includes full irregular conjugation tables, reflexive usage ('detenerse'), examples, and common mistakes for A2-C1 learners.

Detener Meaning, Conjugation & Usage | InkLingo Spanish Dictionary

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The conditional of detener uses the irregular stem 'detendr-': detendría, detendrías, etc.

The future tense of detener uses the irregular stem 'detendr-': detendré, detendrás, detendrá, etc.

The imperative for detener has a short 'tú' form: detén.

The imperfect of detener is regular: detenía, detenías, detenía, deteníamos, deteníais, detenían.

The imperfect subjunctive of detener uses the preterite stem 'detuvier-'.

The negative imperative of detener uses the present subjunctive: no detengas, no detenga, no detengamos, no detengáis, no detengan.

The present tense of detener is irregular, featuring a 'go' form in the first person (detengo) and a stem change (e to ie) in others.

The present subjunctive of detener is based on the 'yo' form: detenga, detengas, detenga, detengamos, detengáis, detengan.

The preterite of detener is highly irregular, using the 'uv' stem: detuve, detuviste, detuvo, detuvimos, detuvisteis, detuvieron.

detener

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

imperative

affirmative

negative

subjunctive

imperfect

present

indicative

future

preterite

imperfect

conditional

present

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