obedecer Present Subjunctive Conjugation
obedecer — to obey
The present subjunctive uses the 'zc' stem for all persons: obedezca, obedezcas, obedezca, etc.
obedecer Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of desire, doubt, or commands (e.g., 'I want you to obey').
Notes on obedecer in the Present Subjunctive
Because the 'yo' form in the present indicative is 'obedezco', that 'zc' carries through to every single person in the present subjunctive.
Example Sentences
Es importante que me obedezcas.
It is important that you obey me.
tú
Dudo que ellos obedezcan sin protestar.
I doubt they will obey without protesting.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Quiero que usted obedezca las señales.
I want you to obey the signs.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: que yo obedeca.
Correct: que yo obedezca.
Why: Just like the 'yo' form in the present, the subjunctive needs the 'zc' to keep the sound consistent.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: obedezco
Obedecer is mostly regular in the present, except for the 'yo' form which changes to 'obedezco'.
Preterite
yo: obedecí
Obedecer is completely regular in the preterite: obedecí, obedeciste, obedeció, obedecimos, obedecisteis, obedecieron.
Imperfect
yo: obedecía
Obedecer is regular in the imperfect: obedecía, obedecías, obedecía, obedecíamos, obedecíais, obedecían.
Future
yo: obedeceré
Obedecer is regular in the future: just add the endings to the infinitive (obedeceré, obedecerás...).
Conditional
yo: obedecería
Obedecer is regular in the conditional: obedecería, obedecerías, obedecería, obedeceríamos, obedeceríais, obedecerían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: obedeciera
Formed from the 'ellos' preterite: obedeciera, obedecieras, obedeciera, obedeciéramos, obedecierais, obedecieran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: obedece
The imperative uses 'obedece' for 'tú' and 'obedezca/n' for formal commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no obedezcas
All negative commands use the 'zc' stem: no obedezcas, no obedezca, no obedezcamos, no obedezcáis, no obedezcan.