ostentar Affirmative Imperative Conjugation
ostentar — to show off
Commands like 'ostenta' (you singular) or 'ostenten' (you plural) are used for direct orders with ostentar.
ostentar Affirmative Imperative Forms
When to Use the Affirmative Imperative
Use the imperative mood with 'ostentar' for direct commands. Think of telling someone to stop showing off, or encouraging them to display something proudly.
Notes on ostentar in the Affirmative Imperative
The imperative of 'ostentar' is regular for all forms except vosotros, which is 'ostentad'. Remember that the 'tú' form is 'ostenta'.
Example Sentences
¡Ostenta tu talento con orgullo!
Show off your talent with pride!
tú
¡Ostentad vuestra victoria!
Show off your victory!
vosotros
Señores, ostenten sus credenciales.
Gentlemen, show your credentials.
ustedes
No ostentemos nuestras riquezas innecesariamente.
Let's not show off our wealth unnecessarily.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the subjunctive form 'ostentes' instead of the imperative 'ostenta' for a command.
Correct: For a direct command to 'tú', use 'ostenta'.
Why: The imperative is for direct commands, while the present subjunctive 'ostentes' is used in negative commands ('no ostentes') or other clauses expressing doubt or desire.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'd' in the vosotros imperative form, writing 'ostentate' instead of 'ostentad'.
Correct: The vosotros imperative form is 'ostentad'.
Why: This is a common pattern for regular -ar verbs in the imperative vosotros form.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'ostentar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: ostento
The present tense 'ostento' describes habitual actions or things happening now.
Preterite
yo: ostenté
The preterite of 'ostentar' is regular: ostenté, ostentaste, ostentó, ostentamos, ostentasteis, ostentaron.
Imperfect
yo: ostentaba
The imperfect 'ostentaba' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of showing off.
Future
yo: ostentaré
The future tense 'ostentaré' talks about will happen, or expresses probability.
Conditional
yo: ostentaría
The conditional 'ostentaría' expresses hypotheticals ('would show off') or polite requests.
Present Subjunctive
yo: ostente
Use 'ostente' or 'ostentes' after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: ostentara
The imperfect subjunctive 'ostentara' or 'ostentase' is for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Negative Imperative
yo: no ostentes
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: 'no ostentes' (don't show off), 'no ostenten' (don't show off).