estafar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
estafar — to scam
The present subjunctive of estafar (estofe, estafes, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
estafar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive when expressing wishes, doubts, emotions, or uncertainty about an action. For 'estafar,' think 'I hope they don't scam me,' or 'It's unlikely he'll scam you.'
Notes on estafar in the Present Subjunctive
Estafar is regular in the present subjunctive. The stem remains 'estaf-' and the endings are added: estofe, estafes, estafe, estafemos, estaféis, estafen.
Example Sentences
Espero que no nos estafen con el cambio.
I hope they don't scam us with the change.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Dudo que él pueda estafar a alguien tan listo.
I doubt he can scam someone so smart.
él/ella/usted
Te pido que no me estafes.
I ask you not to scam me.
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the present subjunctive.
Correct: After phrases like 'espero que' or 'dudo que,' use the subjunctive: 'espero que no estafen'.
Why: Certain trigger phrases require the subjunctive mood to express uncertainty or emotion.
Mistake: Incorrectly conjugating the 'nosotros' form.
Correct: The nosotros form is 'estafemos', not 'estafamos' (which is indicative).
Why: The -emos ending is for the indicative, while -emos ending in the subjunctive is identical to the indicative 'nosotros' form, but context dictates its use.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: estafo
The present tense of estafar (estafo, estafas, estafa, etc.) describes habitual or current scams.
Preterite
yo: estafé
The preterite of estafar is regular: estafé, estafaste, estafó, estafamos, estafasteis, estafaron.
Imperfect
yo: estafaba
The imperfect of estafar (estafaba) describes habitual or ongoing past scams.
Future
yo: estafaré
The future tense of estafar (estafaré, estafarás, etc.) predicts or speculates about future scams.
Conditional
yo: estafaría
The conditional of estafar (estafaría, estafarías, etc.) is used for hypotheticals and polite requests.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: estafara
The imperfect subjunctive of estafar (estafara/estafase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: estafa
The imperative of estafar is mostly regular, with commands like 'estafa' (tú) and 'estafad' (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no estafes
Negative commands for estafar use the present subjunctive: no estafes (tú), no estafen (ustedes).