empeñar Present Conjugation
empeñar — to pawn
Use 'empeño', 'empeñas', 'empeña', 'empeñamos', 'empeñáis', 'empeñan' for actions happening now, habits, or general truths.
empeñar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
The present tense is versatile. It describes actions happening right now, habitual actions (things you do regularly), or general truths. It can also be used for future actions in some contexts.
Notes on empeñar in the Present
'Empeñar' is a regular -ar verb in the present indicative tense. All forms follow the standard conjugation pattern.
Example Sentences
Yo empeño mi palabra en que esto es verdad.
I pledge my word that this is true.
yo
¿Tú empeñas siempre tus cosas cuando necesitas dinero?
Do you always pawn your things when you need money?
tú
Mi padre empeña su reloj cada mes.
My father pawns his watch every month.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros empeñamos en terminar el proyecto hoy.
We are determined to finish the project today.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'estar empeñando' for habitual actions.
Correct: For habits, use the simple present: 'Empeño mi reloj cada semana'. The 'estar + gerund' form is for actions happening *right now*.
Why: The simple present covers habitual actions, while the present progressive is for ongoing actions.
Mistake: Confusing 'empeñamos' (present) with 'empeñamos' (preterite).
Correct: The form is identical. Context will tell you if it's 'we pawn' (present) or 'we pawned' (preterite).
Why: This is a common feature of regular -ar verbs in the preterite; context is key.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: empeñé
Use 'empeñé', 'empeñaste', 'empeñó', 'empeñamos', 'empeñasteis', 'empeñaron' for completed past actions.
Imperfect
yo: empeñaba
Use 'empeñaba', 'empeñabas', 'empeñaba', 'empeñábamos', 'empeñabais', 'empeñaban' for ongoing or habitual past actions.
Future
yo: empeñaré
Use 'empeñaré', 'empeñarás', 'empeñará', 'empeñaremos', 'empeñaréis', 'empeñarán' for future actions or probability.
Conditional
yo: empeñaría
Use 'empeñaría', 'empeñarías', 'empeñaría', 'empeñaríamos', 'empeñaríais', 'empeñarían' for hypotheticals, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: empeñe
Use 'empeñe' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'empeñes' (tú), 'empeñemos' (nosotros), 'empeñéis' (vosotros), 'empeñen' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: empeñara
Use 'empeñara'/'empeñase' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'empeñaras'/'empeñases' (tú), 'empeñáramos'/'empeñásemos' (nosotros), 'empeñarais'/'empeñaseis' (vosotros), 'empeñaran'/'empeñasen' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: empeña
Use 'empeña' (tú), 'empeñe' (usted), 'empeñemos' (nosotros), 'empeñen' (ustedes), or 'empeñad' (vosotros) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no empeñes
Use 'no empeñes' (tú), 'no empeñe' (usted), 'no empeñemos' (nosotros), 'no empeñen' (ustedes), or 'no empeñéis' (vosotros) for negative commands.