oscurecer Present Subjunctive Conjugation
oscurecer — to get dark
The present subjunctive uses the 'zc' stem for all forms: oscurezca, oscurezcas, oscurezca, oscurezcamos, oscurezcáis, oscurezcan.
oscurecer Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of doubt, desire, or impersonal phrases like 'Espero que no oscurezca pronto' (I hope it doesn't get dark soon).
Notes on oscurecer in the Present Subjunctive
Because the 'yo' form in the present indicative is 'oscurezco', that 'zc' carries through to every single person in the present subjunctive.
Example Sentences
Espero que no oscurezca antes de llegar.
I hope it doesn't get dark before arriving.
él/ella/usted
Busco unas cortinas que oscurezcan bien el cuarto.
I'm looking for curtains that darken the room well.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Dudo que oscurezca tan temprano hoy.
I doubt it will get dark so early today.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: que oscureca
Correct: que oscurezca
Why: You must include the 'z' to maintain the correct pronunciation and follow the rule for -cer verbs.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: oscurezco
Oscurecer follows the -cer/-cir pattern: the 'yo' form is oscurezco, while other forms are regular.
Preterite
yo: oscurecí
Oscurecer is completely regular in the preterite: oscurecí, oscureciste, oscureció, oscurecimos, oscurecisteis, oscurecieron.
Imperfect
yo: oscurecía
Oscurecer is regular in the imperfect: oscurecía, oscurecías, oscurecía, oscurecíamos, oscurecíais, oscurecían.
Future
yo: oscureceré
Oscurecer is regular in the future: oscureceré, oscurecerás, oscurecerá, oscureceremos, oscureceréis, oscurecerán.
Conditional
yo: oscurecería
Oscurecer is regular in the conditional: oscurecería, oscurecerías, oscurecería, oscureceríamos, oscureceríais, oscurecerían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: oscureciera
Oscurecer is regular in the imperfect subjunctive, using the 'ra' or 'se' forms: oscureciera, oscurecieras, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: oscurece
The imperative uses 'oscurece' (tú) and 'oscurezca' (usted/ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no oscurezcas
The negative imperative always uses the present subjunctive forms with 'no'.