empezar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
empezar — to start
The present subjunctive of empezar features both a stem change (ie) and a spelling change (z to c).
empezar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity, like 'Espero que empiece...' (I hope it starts...).
Notes on empezar in the Present Subjunctive
The stem changes to 'empie-' (except for nosotros/vosotros) AND the 'z' changes to 'c' in ALL forms (empiece, empieces, etc.).
Example Sentences
Espero que la película empiece pronto.
I hope the movie starts soon.
él/ella/usted
Es necesario que empecemos la limpieza hoy.
It is necessary that we start the cleaning today.
nosotros
No quiero que tú empieces a gritar.
I don't want you to start shouting.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Writing 'empieze' with a z.
Correct: empiece
Why: Just like the preterite 'yo' form, the 'z' must change to 'c' before the letter 'e' in the subjunctive.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: empiezo
Empezar is a stem-changing verb where the 'e' becomes 'ie' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
yo: empecé
Empezar has a spelling change in the 'yo' form (empecé) but is otherwise regular in the preterite.
Imperfect
yo: empezaba
Empezar is regular in the imperfect: empezaba, empezabas, empezaba, empezábamos, empezabais, empezaban.
Future
yo: empezaré
The future tense of empezar is completely regular: empezaré, empezarás, empezará, etc.
Conditional
yo: empezaría
The conditional of empezar is regular: empezaría, empezarías, empezaría, empezaríamos, empezaríais, empezarían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: empezara
The imperfect subjunctive of empezar is based on the 3rd person plural preterite: empezara, empezaras, empezara...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: empieza
The imperative uses 'empieza' for informal commands and 'empiece' for formal ones.
Negative Imperative
yo: no empieces
Negative commands for empezar always use the present subjunctive forms: no empieces, no empiece, no empecemos.