intentar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
intentar — to try
The present subjunctive of intentar swaps the -a for -e: intente, intentes, intente, intentemos, intentéis, intenten.
intentar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this when there is doubt, emotion, or a request about someone trying something. For example, 'I hope you try' or 'It's important that he tries'.
Notes on intentar in the Present Subjunctive
Intentar is regular in the subjunctive. It follows the standard -ar to -e change.
Example Sentences
Espero que intentes el postre, está muy rico.
I hope you try the dessert, it's very tasty.
tú
Dudo que ellos intenten subir la montaña hoy.
I doubt they will try to climb the mountain today.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Es importante que usted intente relajarse.
It is important that you try to relax.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'intenta' instead of 'intente' after 'espero que'.
Correct: Espero que intente
Why: Verbs of wishing or hoping like 'esperar' trigger the subjunctive mood.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: intento
Intentar is a regular -ar verb in the present: intento, intentas, intenta, intentamos, intentáis, intentan.
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.
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.