A simplistic illustration showing a small, round character looking up expectantly at a slightly taller character, indicating the initiation of a question.

preguntes

preh-GOON-tehs

verbA2regular ar

you ask (subjunctive)?Used in wishes, doubts, or expressions of necessity.,don't ask (negative command)?Used to tell someone (tú) not to ask.

Also:you may ask?When expressing possibility or uncertainty.

Quick Reference

infinitivepreguntar

gerundpreguntando

past Participlepreguntado

📝 In Action

Quiero que no me preguntes nada sobre eso.

I want you not to ask me anything about that.

No preguntes, solo haz lo que te digo.

Don't ask, just do what I tell you.

Es posible que preguntes por el precio antes de comprar.

It's possible that you ask about the price before buying.

Word Connections

Synonyms

consultes (you consult)
cuestiones (you question)

Antonyms

respondas (you answer)

Common Collocations

Espero que preguntes – I hope that you ask
No dejes que preguntes – Don't let yourself ask

💡 Grammar Points

Dual Role of 'Preguntes'

'Preguntes' is the special form of the verb (subjunctive) used when expressing necessity ('Es necesario que...') or doubt ('Dudo que...'). It is also the form used for telling someone (tú) not to do something ('No preguntes' / Don't ask).

Subjunctive Trigger

You use 'preguntes' when the sentence involves two different people and the first person expresses a wish, emotion, or command toward the second person: 'Te pido que preguntes' (I ask you to ask).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Commands

Mistake: "Using the indicative form for negative commands: *No preguntas*"

Correction: For negative commands directed at 'tú,' you must use the special form: 'No preguntes.' The regular form 'preguntas' is only for stating a fact ('You ask').

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'AR' Rule of Thumb

For regular verbs ending in -AR (like preguntar), the subjunctive forms often switch to an -E ending. So, 'preguntas' (indicative) becomes 'preguntes' (subjunctive).

🔄 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

yopreguntara

túpreguntaras

ellos/ellas/ustedespreguntaran

nosotrospreguntáramos

vosotrospreguntarais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: preguntes

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'preguntes' as a negative command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

preguntar(to ask) - verb

la pregunta(the question) - noun

preguntón/preguntona(inquisitive person/chatterbox) - adjective/noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'preguntas' and 'preguntes'?

'Preguntas' is used for facts and certainty (the indicative mood): 'Tú preguntas mucho' (You ask a lot). 'Preguntes' is used for uncertainty, wishes, or commands (the subjunctive mood or negative imperative): 'Espero que preguntes' (I hope you ask) or 'No preguntes' (Don't ask).