vencer Present Conjugation
vencer — defeat
Vencer is regular except for a spelling change in the 'yo' form: venzo.
vencer Present Forms
When to Use the Present
Use the present tense for general truths, current habits, or to state that a deadline is currently expiring.
Notes on vencer in the Present
The 'yo' form changes 'c' to 'z' (venzo) to keep the soft 's' sound before the 'o'. All other forms (vences, vence, etc.) are regular.
Example Sentences
Yo siempre venzo mis obstáculos.
I always overcome my obstacles.
yo
Este contrato vence mañana.
This contract expires tomorrow.
él/ella/usted
Si no practicamos, no vencemos a nadie.
If we don't practice, we don't defeat anyone.
nosotros
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Writing 'venco' for the yo form.
Correct: The correct form is 'venzo'.
Why: In Spanish, 'co' sounds like 'ko'. To keep the soft 's' sound of vencer, the 'c' must change to 'z' before an 'o'.
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Related Tenses
Preterite
yo: vencí
The preterite of vencer is regular and marks a definitive victory or the exact moment something expired.
Imperfect
yo: vencía
The imperfect is regular (vencía) and describes ongoing victories or states of expiration in the past.
Future
yo: venceré
The future of vencer is fully regular: venceré, vencerás, vencerá...
Conditional
yo: vencería
The conditional uses the full infinitive: vencería, vencerías, vencería...
Present Subjunctive
yo: venza
The present subjunctive uses a 'z' in all forms: venza, venzas, venza...
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: venciera
The imperfect subjunctive is regular: venciera, vencieras, venciera...
Affirmative Imperative
yo: vence
Use the imperative to command someone to win or overcome something.
Negative Imperative
yo: no venzas
Negative commands always use the 'z' spelling: no venzas, no venza...