
pensar Present Conjugation
pensar — to think
Pensar is a stem-changing verb (e > ie) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
pensar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense to express current thoughts, opinions, or plans (when followed by an infinitive).
Notes on pensar in the Present
The 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' when stressed. This happens in the 'boot' shapes: yo, tú, él/ella, and ellos/ellas.
Example Sentences
Pienso que tienes razón.
I think you are right.
yo
¿Qué piensas de la película?
What do you think of the movie?
tú
Pensamos ir a la playa este fin de semana.
We plan/intend to go to the beach this weekend.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Saying 'pensamos' with a stem change like 'piensamos'.
Correct: pensamos
Why: The nosotros and vosotros forms never take the stem change in the present indicative.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: pensé
The preterite of pensar is regular: pensé, pensaste, pensó, pensamos, pensasteis, pensaron.
Imperfect
yo: pensaba
The imperfect of pensar is regular: pensaba, pensabas, pensaba, pensábamos, pensabais, pensaban.
Future
yo: pensaré
The future of pensar is regular: pensaré, pensarás, pensará, pensaremos, pensaréis, pensarán.
Conditional
yo: pensaría
The conditional of pensar is regular: pensaría, pensarías, pensaría, pensaríamos, pensaríais, pensarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: piense
The present subjunctive of pensar follows the e > ie stem change: piense, pienses, piense, pensemos, penséis, piensen.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: pensara
The imperfect subjunctive of pensar is based on the preterite: pensara, pensaras, pensara, pensáramos, pensarais, pensaran.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: piensa
The imperative uses the 'ie' stem for most commands: piensa, piense, pensemos, pensad, piensen.
Negative Imperative
yo: no pienses
Negative commands use the present subjunctive: no pienses, no piense, no pensemos, no penséis, no piensen.