sobresalir Present Conjugation
sobresalir — to stand out
Use present forms like 'sobresalgo' (yo) and 'sobresalen' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for actions happening now or habitual tendencies to stand out.
sobresalir Present Forms
When to Use the Present
The present tense is used for actions happening right now, habitual actions, or general truths. You can use 'sobresalir' to describe someone who habitually stands out or to say that someone is standing out at this very moment.
Notes on sobresalir in the Present
The present indicative of 'sobresalir' is irregular. It requires a spelling change from 'c' to 'g' in the stem for most forms: 'sobresalgo', 'sobresales', 'sobresale', 'sobresalimos', 'sobresalís', 'sobresalen'.
Example Sentences
Yo sobresalgo en matemáticas.
I stand out in math.
yo
¿Tú sobresales en tu equipo?
Do you stand out on your team?
tú
Él sobresale por su amabilidad.
He stands out for his kindness.
él/ella/usted
Ellos sobresalen en todo lo que hacen.
They stand out in everything they do.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive or another tense, e.g., 'Yo sobresalir en matemáticas'.
Correct: Yo sobresalgo en matemáticas.
Why: The present indicative is needed for current or habitual actions.
Mistake: Forgetting the 'g' in the stem, e.g., 'Yo sobresalo'.
Correct: Yo sobresalgo.
Why: This is a necessary spelling change for the yo form of 'sobresalir' in the present indicative.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: sobresalí
Use preterite forms like 'sobresalí' (yo) and 'sobresalieron' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for completed actions of standing out in the past.
Imperfect
yo: sobresalía
Use imperfect forms like 'sobresalía' (yo/él/ella/usted) for ongoing or habitual past actions of standing out.
Future
yo: sobresaldré
Use future forms like 'sobresaldré' (yo) and 'sobresaldrán' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) to talk about standing out in the future.
Conditional
yo: sobresaldría
Use conditional forms like 'sobresaldría' (yo) and 'sobresaldrían' (ellos/ellas/ustedes) for hypothetical outcomes or polite suggestions about standing out.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sobresalga
Use present subjunctive forms like 'sobresalga' (yo/él/ella/usted) after expressions of doubt, desire, or emotion.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: sobresaliera
Use imperfect subjunctive forms like 'sobresaliera' (yo/él/ella/usted) for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sobresale
Use imperative forms like 'sobresale' (tú) and 'sobresalgan' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sobresalgas
Negative commands like 'no sobresalgas' (tú) use the present subjunctive with 'no'.