presentes
/preh-SEN-tehs/
present
As an adjective, presentes means 'present' or 'in attendance' (plural).
presentes(Adjective)
present
?in attendance
,current
?at hand, existing
here
?used when checking a list
📝 In Action
Los estudiantes que están presentes levanten la mano.
A1The students who are present raise their hand.
Debemos considerar los riesgos presentes antes de invertir.
B1We must consider the present risks before investing.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Since 'presentes' is plural, it is used when describing two or more people or things. It works for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'los niños presentes' or 'las niñas presentes').
⭐ Usage Tips
Roll Call Response
When a teacher or boss calls your name to check attendance, you usually just say 'Presente' (singular) to mean 'I am here.'
The noun presentes refers to multiple 'gifts' or 'presents'.
📝 In Action
Los niños abrieron todos sus presentes de Navidad.
A2The children opened all their Christmas presents.
Gracias por los presentes que me trajiste de tu viaje.
A2Thank you for the gifts you brought me from your trip.
💡 Grammar Points
Common Synonym
While 'presentes' is perfectly correct, 'regalos' is the most frequent word for 'gifts' in everyday conversation.
As a verb form, presentes means '(that you) present,' often used in subjunctive clauses.
presentes(Verb)
(that you) present
?subjunctive form
,(that you) submit
?papers or documents
(that you) introduce
?a person
📝 In Action
Necesito que presentes el informe antes del lunes.
B1I need you (tú) to submit the report before Monday.
No presentes a tu amigo hasta que yo llegue.
B1Don't introduce your friend until I arrive. (Negative Command)
Quizás presentes una idea diferente en la próxima reunión.
B2Perhaps you (tú) will present a different idea at the next meeting. (Expressing doubt)
💡 Grammar Points
'Tú' Command (Negative)
When you tell someone (tú) not to do something, you use the 'presentes' form: 'No presentes tu tarea tarde' (Don't submit your homework late).
Subjunctive Use
This form ('presentes') is used in the special mood called the Subjunctive, often after phrases that express doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion (e.g., 'Quiero que...' or 'Es necesario que...').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Indicative and Subjunctive
Mistake: "The common error is using the indicative form: 'Quiero que presentas el trabajo.'"
Correction: You must use the subjunctive form 'presentes' when expressing a desire or need: 'Quiero que presentes el trabajo.' (I want you to submit the work.)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: presentes
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'presentes' is used in the sentence: 'Es vital que presentes tu identificación.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'presentes' (noun) and 'regalos'?
'Regalos' is the most common and neutral way to say 'gifts.' 'Presentes' is also correct, but sometimes sounds a little more formal or is specifically used for holiday gifts (like Christmas presents).
How do I know if 'presentes' is an adjective or a verb when reading a sentence?
If it is an adjective, it will describe a plural noun (e.g., 'personas presentes' = present people). If it is a verb, it will usually follow a phrase like 'que tú' (even if 'tú' is invisible) and relate to the action of 'presentar' (to submit or introduce).