busquen
BOOS-ken
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
El profesor quiere que los estudiantes busquen información en la biblioteca.
A2The professor wants the students to look for information in the library.
¡Busquen las llaves antes de que se haga tarde!
A1Look for the keys before it gets late! (Formal command to a group)
Es posible que ellos busquen una solución diferente.
B1It is possible that they are looking for a different solution.
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Form
‘Busquen’ is the special verb form (present subjunctive) used when talking about wishes, emotions, or doubt related to 'ellos' (they) or 'ustedes' (formal you all). It expresses uncertainty or influence.
The Formal Command
This form is also used to give a formal command to a group of people ('ustedes'): '¡Busquen sus asientos!' (Look for your seats!).
The C-to-QU Change
Because the infinitive is 'buscar' (ending in -car), the 'c' changes to 'qu' before the letter 'e' (as in 'busquen'). This change keeps the hard 'k' sound in the word.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Subjunctive and Indicative
Mistake: "Es probable que ellos *buscan* la solución."
Correction: Es probable que ellos *busquen* la solución. (The word 'probable' forces the special subjunctive form.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Trigger Words
If your sentence starts with phrases like 'Es necesario que...' (It is necessary that...) or 'Quiero que...' (I want that...), you will almost always use 'busquen' for 'ellos/ellas/ustedes'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: busquen
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'busquen' as a command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'busquen' and 'buscan'?
'Buscan' (indicative) means 'they look for' or 'you all look for' as a simple fact or habit (e.g., 'Ellos buscan trabajo' - They look for work). 'Busquen' (subjunctive) is used when there is emotion, doubt, influence, or necessity involved (e.g., 'Es importante que busquen trabajo' - It is important that they look for work).
If I am giving an informal command to a group, what should I use instead of 'busquen'?
If you are speaking informally to a group of friends or children (using 'vosotros' in Spain), the command form is 'buscad' (e.g., '¡Buscad la pelota!'). 'Busquen' is reserved for the formal 'ustedes' command.