existir Present Subjunctive Conjugation
existir — to exist
The present subjunctive of existir uses the 'a' endings: exista, existas, exista, existamos, existáis, existan.
existir Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this tense when expressing doubt, denial, or hope about something's existence, such as 'I don't think it exists' or 'I want a world where peace exists'.
Notes on existir in the Present Subjunctive
Existir is regular in the subjunctive. It is formed by taking the 'yo' form of the present indicative (existo), dropping the 'o', and adding -a endings.
Example Sentences
No creo que exista una solución fácil.
I don't believe an easy solution exists.
él/ella/usted
Espero que todavía existan entradas.
I hope that tickets still exist (are available).
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Dudo que nosotros existamos en sus planes.
I doubt that we exist in their plans.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'existe' after 'no creo que'.
Correct: Use the subjunctive 'exista' after expressions of doubt.
Why: English speakers often forget to switch to the subjunctive mood when the existence of something is being questioned or doubted.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: existo
Existir is a regular -ir verb in the present tense: existo, existes, existe, existimos, existís, existen.
Preterite
yo: existí
The preterite of existir is regular: existí, exististe, existió, existimos, exististeis, existieron.
Imperfect
yo: existía
Existir is regular in the imperfect: existía, existías, existía, existíamos, existíais, existían.
Future
yo: existiré
The future of existir uses the infinitive as the stem: existir + é, ás, á, emos, éis, án.
Conditional
yo: existiría
The conditional of existir is regular: existiría, existirías, existiría, existiríamos, existiríais, existirían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: existiera
The imperfect subjunctive of existir is based on the preterite stem: existiera, existieras, existiera, existiéramos.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: existe
The imperative of existir is used for commands: existe, exista, existamos, existid, existan.
Negative Imperative
yo: no existas
The negative imperative of existir matches the present subjunctive: no existas, no exista, no existamos, no existáis, no existan.