sentenciar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
sentenciar — to sentence
The present subjunctive (sentencie, sentencies, etc.) follows expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
sentenciar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use the present subjunctive after verbs or expressions that convey uncertainty, wishes, emotions, recommendations, or impersonal judgments. For example, when you hope something happens or doubt it will.
Notes on sentenciar in the Present Subjunctive
Sentenciar is regular in the present subjunctive, following the typical pattern for -ar verbs where the 'yo' form of the present indicative is used as a base.
Example Sentences
Espero que el juez sentencie con justicia.
I hope the judge sentences fairly.
él/ella/usted
Dudo que tú sentencies a tu amigo.
I doubt you will sentence your friend.
tú
Quiero que ellos sentencien pronto.
I want them to sentence soon.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Es necesario que sentenciemos ahora.
It is necessary that we sentence now.
nosotros
Me alegro de que vosotros sentenciéis correctamente.
I'm happy that you all sentence correctly.
vosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative instead of the present subjunctive.
Correct: After verbs like 'esperar', 'dudar', 'querer', use 'sentencie'/'sentencies' etc., not 'sentencia'/'sentencias'.
Why: These trigger verbs require the subjunctive mood to express subjectivity, doubt, or desire.
Mistake: Forgetting to conjugate for the correct subject.
Correct: Make sure the subjunctive verb agrees with the subject of the subordinate clause (e.g., 'Espero que *él* sentenci*e*', not 'sentenciemos').
Why: Subject-verb agreement is crucial in all tenses, including the subjunctive.
Master Spanish verbs in context
Memorizing tables only gets you so far. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see verbs like 'sentenciar' used naturally — in the tenses you're learning.
Related Tenses
Present
yo: sentencio
The present tense of sentenciar means 'to sentence' or 'sentences' currently.
Preterite
yo: sentencié
The preterite of sentenciar describes completed actions like 'the judge sentenced'.
Imperfect
yo: sentenciaba
The imperfect of sentenciar describes ongoing or habitual sentencing in the past.
Future
yo: sentenciaré
The future tense of sentenciar expresses 'will sentence'.
Conditional
yo: sentenciaría
The conditional of sentenciar means 'would sentence'.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: sentenciara
The imperfect subjunctive (sentenciara/sentenciase) is used for past hypotheticals or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sentencia
Commands like 'sentence him!' or 'let's sentence!' use the imperative of sentenciar.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sentencies
Negative commands like 'don't sentence him!' use the negative imperative of sentenciar.