sustentar Present Conjugation
sustentar — to support
The present tense of 'sustentar' is regular: sustento, sustentas, sustenta, sustentamos, sustentáis, sustentan.
sustentar Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for actions happening now, habitual actions, or general truths. You might use it to say you currently support a cause, or that a certain policy always supports economic growth.
Notes on sustentar in the Present
Sustentar is a regular -ar verb and follows the standard conjugation pattern in the present tense.
Example Sentences
Yo sustento a mi familia con mi trabajo.
I support my family with my work.
yo
¿Tú sustentas esa teoría?
Do you support that theory?
tú
El puente sustenta mucho peso.
The bridge supports a lot of weight.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros sustentamos a nuestros abuelos.
We support our grandparents.
nosotros
Ellos sustentan la investigación científica.
They support scientific research.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Confusing 'sustenta' (él/ella/usted) with 'sustento' (yo).
Correct: Remember the 'yo' form ends in -o ('sustento'), while the third-person singular ends in -a ('sustenta').
Why: Standard conjugation difference between first and third person singular for -ar verbs.
Mistake: Using the present tense for a completed past action.
Correct: For actions completed in the past, use the preterite (e.g., 'sustenté').
Why: The present tense refers to current or habitual actions, not finished past events.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: sustenté
The preterite of 'sustentar' is regular: sustenté, sustentaste, sustentó, sustentamos, sustentasteis, sustentaron.
Imperfect
yo: sustentaba
The imperfect of 'sustentar' is regular: sustentaba, sustentabas, sustentaba, sustentábamos, sustentabais, sustentaban.
Future
yo: sustentaré
The future tense of 'sustentar' is regular: sustentaré, sustentarás, sustentará, sustentaremos, sustentaréis, sustentarán.
Conditional
yo: sustentaría
The conditional of 'sustentar' is regular: sustentaría, sustentarías, sustentaría, sustentaríamos, sustentaríais, sustentarían.
Present Subjunctive
yo: sustente
Use 'sustente' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'sustentes' (tú), 'sustentemos' (nosotros), etc., after expressions of doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty.
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: sustentara
Use 'sustentara' or 'sustentase' (yo/él/ella/usted), 'sustentaras'/'sustentases' (tú), 'sustentáramos'/'sustentásemos' (nosotros), etc., for past hypothetical situations or wishes.
Affirmative Imperative
yo: sustenta
Use 'sustenta' (tú), 'sustente' (usted), 'sustentemos' (nosotros), 'sustentad' (vosotros), 'sustenten' (ustedes) for direct commands.
Negative Imperative
yo: no sustentes
Use 'no sustentes' (tú), 'no sustente' (usted), 'no sustentemos' (nosotros), 'no sustentéis' (vosotros), 'no sustenten' (ustedes) for negative commands.