pretender Present Subjunctive Conjugation
pretender — to intend
The present subjunctive of pretender is: pretenda (yo/él/ella/usted), pretendamos (nosotros), pretendáis (vosotros), pretendan (ellos/ellas/ustedes).
pretender Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty, or in dependent clauses where the subject differs from the main clause.
Notes on pretender in the Present Subjunctive
Pretender is regular in the present subjunctive. The forms are derived from the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('pretendo').
Example Sentences
Espero que pretendas venir a la fiesta.
I hope you intend to come to the party.
tú
Dudo que pretenda hacer daño.
I doubt he intends to cause harm.
él/ella/usted
Queremos que pretendamos ser un equipo.
We want us to pretend to be a team.
nosotros
Me sorprende que pretendáis ser tan inocentes.
It surprises me that you (plural, informal) pretend to be so innocent.
vosotros
Es necesario que pretendan colaborar.
It's necessary that they try to collaborate.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the subjunctive.
Correct: After verbs expressing doubt, desire, or emotion, use subjunctive forms like 'pretendas' or 'pretenda'.
Why: These trigger phrases require the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'no' before the verb when the main clause is negative.
Correct: If the main clause expresses doubt or denial, use 'no' before the subjunctive verb, e.g., 'No creo que pretenda...'.
Why: The subjunctive is used for uncertainty. A negative main clause often implies uncertainty about the subordinate clause.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: pretendo
The present indicative of pretender is: pretendo, pretendes, pretende, pretendemos, pretendéis, pretenden.
Preterite
yo: pretendí
The preterite of pretender is regular: pretendí, pretendiste, pretendió, pretendimos, pretendisteis, pretendieron.
Imperfect
yo: pretendía
The imperfect of pretender is: pretendía, pretendías, pretendía, pretendíamos, pretendíais, pretendían.
Future
yo: pretenderé
The future tense of pretender uses the infinitive stem: pretenderé, pretenderás, pretenderá, pretenderemos, pretenderéis, pretenderán.
Conditional
yo: pretendería
The conditional of pretender is: pretendería, pretenderías, pretendería, pretenderíamos, pretenderíais, pretenderían.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: pretendiera
The imperfect subjunctive of pretender has two forms for each pronoun: pretendiera/pretendiese, pretendieras/pretendieses, etc.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: pretende
Imperative forms of pretender are: pretende (tú), pretenda (usted), pretendamos (nosotros), pretended (vosotros), pretendan (ustedes).
Negative Imperative
yo: no pretendas
Negative commands for pretender use the present subjunctive: no pretendas (tú), no pretenda (usted), no pretendamos (nosotros), no pretendáis (vosotros), no pretendan (ustedes).