deteriorar Present Conjugation
deteriorar — to deteriorate
The present tense of deteriorar is regular: 'deterioro, deterioras, deteriora, deterioramos, deterioráis, deterioran'.
deteriorar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense of 'deteriorar' for actions happening right now, habitual actions, or general truths. For example, 'El aire acondicionado se deteriora si no lo limpias' (The air conditioner deteriorates if you don't clean it) states a general truth. Or, 'Mi paciencia se deteriora cada día' (My patience deteriorates every day) describes a current, ongoing situation.
Notes on deteriorar in the Present
Deteriorar is regular in the present indicative tense.
Example Sentences
El óxido deteriora el metal con el tiempo.
Rust deteriorates metal over time.
él/ella/usted
Si no comes bien, tu salud se deteriora.
If you don't eat well, your health deteriorates.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros deterioramos la madera al dejarla a la intemperie.
We deteriorate the wood by leaving it out in the elements.
nosotros
Los edificios antiguos se deterioran si no se mantienen.
Old buildings deteriorate if they are not maintained.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the subjunctive instead of the present indicative.
Correct: For factual statements or habitual actions, use the indicative: 'El sol deteriora la pintura', not 'El sol deteriore la pintura'.
Why: The indicative mood is used for facts and objective reality, while the subjunctive is for uncertainty, desire, etc.
Mistake: Confusing 'yo' and 'él/ella/usted' forms.
Correct: The 'yo' form is 'deterioro', and the 'él/ella/usted' form is 'deteriora'.
Why: These endings are distinct and indicate different subjects.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: deterioré
The preterite of deteriorar is regular: 'deterioré, deterioraste, deterioró, deterioramos, deteriorasteis, deterioraron'.
Imperfect
yo: deterioraba
The imperfect of deteriorar is regular: 'deterioraba, deteriorabas, deterioraba, deteriorábamos, deteriorabais, deterioraban'.
Future
yo: deterioraré
The future tense of deteriorar is regular: 'deterioraré, deteriorarás, deteriorará, deterioraremos, deterioraréis, deteriorarán'.
Conditional
yo: deterioraría
The conditional of deteriorar is regular: 'deterioraría, deteriorarías, deterioraría, deterioraríamos, deterioraríais, deteriorarían'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: deteriore
Use present subjunctive forms like 'deteriore' or 'deterioren' after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: deteriorara
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'deteriorara' or 'deteriorase' for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: deteriora
Use the imperative 'deteriora' for tú commands, and other forms like 'deterioren' for ustedes/ellos commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no deteriores
Form negative commands by adding 'no' before the present subjunctive forms like 'no deteriore' or 'no deterioren'.