intentar Present Conjugation
intentar — to try
Intentar is a regular -ar verb in the present: intento, intentas, intenta, intentamos, intentáis, intentan.
intentar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to talk about things you are currently trying to do or habits you have. It is often followed directly by an infinitive verb, like trying to learn or trying to sleep.
Notes on intentar in the Present
Intentar is completely regular in the present tense. It follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs without any stem changes.
Example Sentences
Yo intento comer más sano cada día.
I try to eat healthier every day.
yo
Ella intenta terminar su tarea antes de la cena.
She tries to finish her homework before dinner.
él/ella/usted
¿Por qué no intentas llamar de nuevo?
Why don't you try calling again?
tú
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Adding 'a' after the verb (intento a leer).
Correct: intento leer
Why: Unlike 'tratar de', the verb 'intentar' is followed directly by an infinitive without any preposition.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: intenté
The preterite of intentar is regular: intenté, intentaste, intentó, intentamos, intentasteis, intentaron.
Imperfect
yo: intentaba
The imperfect of intentar follows the regular -ar pattern: intentaba, intentabas, intentaba, intentábamos, intentabais, intentaban.
Future
yo: intentaré
The future of intentar uses the infinitive plus endings: intentaré, intentarás, intentará, intentaremos, intentaréis, intentarán.
Conditional
yo: intentaría
The conditional of intentar is formed by adding -ía endings to the infinitive: intentaría, intentarías, intentaría, intentaríamos, intentaríais, intentarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: intente
The present subjunctive of intentar swaps the -a for -e: intente, intentes, intente, intentemos, intentéis, intenten.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: intentara
The imperfect subjunctive of intentar uses the preterite stem: intentara, intentaras, intentara, intentáramos, intentarais, intentaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: intenta
The imperative of intentar gives commands: intenta (tú), intente (usted), intentad (vosotros).
Negative Imperative
yo: no intentes
The negative imperative of intentar uses 'no' plus the present subjunctive: no intentes, no intente, no intentemos, no intentéis, no intenten.