pensar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
pensar — to think
The present subjunctive of pensar follows the e > ie stem change: piense, pienses, piense, pensemos, penséis, piensen.
pensar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use the subjunctive when expressing doubt, emotions, or desires about what someone thinks (e.g., 'No creo que él piense eso').
Notes on pensar in the Present Subjunctive
The stem change (e > ie) occurs in all forms except nosotros and vosotros, just like the present indicative.
Example Sentences
No creo que él piense mal de ti.
I don't believe that he thinks badly of you.
él/ella/usted
Es importante que pienses en tu futuro.
It's important that you think about your future.
tú
Busco a alguien que piense de forma creativa.
I'm looking for someone who thinks creatively.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'piensen' for nosotros.
Correct: pensemos
Why: -ar stem-changing verbs do not change the stem in the nosotros/vosotros forms of the present subjunctive.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'pensar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: pienso
Pensar is a stem-changing verb (e > ie) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
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.
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.