solicitar Present Conjugation
solicitar — to apply for
The present tense of solicitar (solicito, solicitas, etc.) describes current actions, habits, or general truths about applying/requesting.
solicitar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for actions you are doing right now, habitual actions like applying for things regularly, or general statements about how requests are made. It's the most common tense for everyday conversation.
Notes on solicitar in the Present
Solicitar is regular in the present indicative. It follows the standard pattern for -ar verbs: stem changes in the vosotros form ('solicitáis'), but no stem changes in other forms.
Example Sentences
Yo solicito ayuda del gobierno.
I apply for government assistance.
yo
¿Solicitas muchas becas?
Do you apply for many scholarships?
tú
Mi colega solicita acceso a los archivos.
My colleague requests access to the files.
él/ella/usted
Ellos solicitan pago por adelantado.
They request payment in advance.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the infinitive instead of conjugating for the subject.
Correct: Always conjugate: 'Yo solicito', not 'Yo solicitar'.
Why: The infinitive is the base form of the verb and cannot be used as the main verb of a sentence without a modal verb or auxiliary.
Mistake: Incorrectly conjugating the vosotros form.
Correct: The vosotros form is 'solicitáis', adding 'áis' to the stem.
Why: This is a common area for error for learners not accustomed to the vosotros conjugation.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: solicité
The preterite of solicitar is regular: solicité, solicitaste, solicitó, solicitamos, solicitasteis, solicitaron.
Imperfect
yo: solicitaba
The imperfect of solicitar (solicitaba, solicitabas, etc.) describes ongoing or habitual past requests/applications.
Future
yo: solicitaré
The future tense of solicitar (solicitaré, solicitarás, etc.) indicates actions that will happen.
Conditional
yo: solicitaría
The conditional of solicitar (solicitaría, solicitarías, etc.) expresses 'would' actions, polite requests, or future-in-the-past.
Present Subjunctive
yo: solicite
The present subjunctive of solicitar (solicite, solicites, etc.) is used after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or influence.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: solicitara
The imperfect subjunctive of solicitar (solicitara/solicitase) is used for past hypotheticals, wishes, or polite requests.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: solicita
Use the imperative of solicitar for direct commands: solicita (tú), solicite (usted), etc.
Negative Imperative
yo: no solicites
Negative commands for solicitar use the present subjunctive: no solicites (tú), no solicite (usted), etc.