A colorful storybook illustration showing a character standing formally before a seated character. The standing character is extending an open hand in a respectful gesture of inquiry or asking a question.

pregunte

preh-GOON-teh

VerbA2regular ar

ask (formal command)?as an imperative ('Usted, ask!'),I ask/he/she/you (formal) ask?as a subjunctive form (for wishes, doubts, etc.)

Also:may ask?in clauses expressing possibility,should ask?in clauses expressing necessity

Quick Reference

infinitivepreguntar

gerundpreguntando

past Participlepreguntado

📝 In Action

Si tiene dudas, pregunte al profesor.

If you have doubts, ask the professor (formal command).

Es importante que usted pregunte por los detalles.

It is important that you (formal) ask for the details.

No creo que yo pregunte nada en la reunión.

I don't think I will ask anything in the meeting (expressing doubt).

Word Connections

Synonyms

consultar (to consult)
interrogar (to question (more formal/official))

Antonyms

responder (to answer)
contestar (to reply)

Common Collocations

pregunte sin miedo – ask without fear
que pregunte el cliente – let the client ask

💡 Grammar Points

Formal Commands

'Pregunte' is the formal way to tell one person to ask (using 'usted'). It uses the special verb form normally reserved for wishes and necessities.

Subjunctive Use (Wishes/Needs)

When you express a wish, doubt, or necessity about yourself ('yo') or a formal person ('usted'), you use 'pregunte.' Example: 'Ojalá yo pregunte bien' (Hopefully I ask well).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Formal and Informal Commands

Mistake: "Using 'pregunta' when speaking formally to a boss or elder."

Correction: Use 'pregunte' for formal situations (usted) and 'pregunta' for friends and family (tú).

⭐ Usage Tips

Easy Subjunctive Rule

If the main verb expresses doubt, emotion, or a command/wish, the second verb (the action that is asked) often changes to the 'pregunte' form.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpregunta

yopregunto

túpreguntas

ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntan

nosotrospreguntamos

vosotrospreguntáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpreguntaba

yopreguntaba

túpreguntabas

ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaban

nosotrospreguntábamos

vosotrospreguntabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedpreguntó

yopregunté

túpreguntaste

ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaron

nosotrospreguntamos

vosotrospreguntasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpregunte

yopregunte

túpreguntes

ellos/ellas/ustedespregunten

nosotrospreguntemos

vosotrospreguntéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpreguntara/preguntase

yopreguntara/preguntase

túpreguntaras/preguntases

ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaran/preguntasen

nosotrospreguntáramos/preguntásemos

vosotrospreguntarais/preguntaseis

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pregunte

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'pregunte' correctly as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

preguntar(to ask) - verb

pregunta(question) - noun

preguntón(inquisitive person/nosy) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pregunte' the same as 'pregunta'?

No, they are different! 'Pregunta' is the normal present tense form used for 'he/she/it asks' or the informal command 'tú ask.' 'Pregunte' is the special form used for formal commands ('usted ask') or for expressing wishes and doubts (the subjunctive mood).

How do I know if 'pregunte' is a command or a subjunctive verb?

If it stands alone or starts a sentence directed at 'usted' (like 'Pregunte ahora!'), it’s a command. If it follows 'que' (like 'Espero que pregunte'), it is likely the subjunctive mood.