subsistir Present Conjugation
subsistir — to subsist
The present indicative 'subsisto' is used for current states, habitual actions, or general truths about subsisting.
subsistir Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for 'subsistir' to talk about how someone or something currently manages to survive, their regular way of living with limited resources, or a general fact about survival.
Notes on subsistir in the Present
'Subsistir' is regular in the present indicative. The verb follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ir verbs.
Example Sentences
Yo subsisto con un salario mínimo.
I subsist on a minimum wage.
yo
¿Cómo subsistes en esa ciudad tan cara?
How do you subsist in such an expensive city?
tú
Ellos subsisten cultivando su propia comida.
They subsist by growing their own food.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Este hongo subsiste en ambientes húmedos.
This fungus subsists in humid environments.
él/ella/usted
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the present indicative when the subjunctive is required.
Correct: After 'Espero que...', use 'subsistas' (subjunctive), not 'subsistes' (indicative).
Why: Expressions of hope, doubt, or emotion trigger the subjunctive mood.
Mistake: Confusing the present 'subsistimos' with the preterite 'subsistimos'.
Correct: Context is key: 'Nosotros subsistimos hoy' (present) vs. 'Nosotros subsistimos ayer' (preterite).
Why: The first-person plural form is identical in both the present indicative and preterite for regular -ir verbs.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: subsistí
The preterite of 'subsistir' is regular: subsistí, subsististe, subsistió, subsistimos, subsististeis, subsistieron.
Imperfect
yo: subsistía
The imperfect 'subsistía' describes ongoing or habitual past actions of subsisting, or sets the background scene.
Future
yo: subsistiré
The future tense 'subsistiré' is regular and used for actions that will happen or to express probability.
Conditional
yo: subsistiría
The conditional 'subsistiría' expresses hypotheticals ('would subsist'), polite requests, or future-in-the-past actions.
Present Subjunctive
yo: subsista
The present subjunctive ('subsista') is used after expressions of desire, doubt, emotion, and uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: subsistiera
The imperfect subjunctive ('subsistiera' or 'subsistiese') expresses past hypotheticals, wishes, or doubts, often in 'if' clauses.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: subsiste
Commands like 'subsiste' (you singular) or 'subsistan' (they/you plural) are formed by taking the present subjunctive, with 'tú' and 'vosotros' being exceptions.
Negative Imperative
yo: no subsistas
Negative commands like 'no subsistas' (you singular) or 'no subsistan' (they/you plural) are always formed using the present subjunctive with 'no'.