tropezar Present Subjunctive Conjugation
tropezar — to trip
The present subjunctive follows the e-to-ie stem change and the z-to-c spelling change (tropiece).
tropezar Present Subjunctive Forms
When to Use the Present Subjunctive
Use this after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire, such as 'I hope you don't trip' (Espero que no tropieces).
Notes on tropezar in the Present Subjunctive
It combines the 'ie' stem change (except nosotros/vosotros) with the 'c' spelling change (in all forms) because all endings start with 'e'.
Example Sentences
Ten cuidado, no quiero que tropieces.
Be careful, I don't want you to trip.
tú
Es probable que él tropiece con esos cables.
It's likely that he will trip over those cables.
él/ella/usted
Dudo que tropecemos en un lugar tan plano.
I doubt we'll trip in such a flat place.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using 'tropieze' with a z.
Correct: tropiece
Why: The 'z' must change to 'c' because the subjunctive endings for -ar verbs start with 'e'.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: tropiezo
The present of tropezar has an e-to-ie stem change (tropiezo) in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.
Preterite
yo: tropecé
The preterite of tropezar is regular except for the yo form, which changes to 'tropecé' to keep the sound right.
Imperfect
yo: tropezaba
Tropezar is completely regular in the imperfect tense: tropezaba, tropezabas, tropezaba...
Future
yo: tropezaré
The future tense is fully regular: tropezaré, tropezarás, tropezará...
Conditional
yo: tropezaría
The conditional is fully regular: tropezaría, tropezarías, tropezaría...
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: tropezara
The imperfect subjunctive is regular based on the preterite stem: tropezara, tropezaras...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: tropieza
The imperative uses 'tropieza' for 'tú' and 'tropiece' for 'usted'.
Negative Imperative
yo: no tropieces
The negative imperative uses the present subjunctive forms: no tropieces, no tropiece...