The Present Subjunctive of detenerse is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about stopping or coming to a halt. For example, Es importante que te detengas en el semáforo. (It’s important that you stop at the red light.)

Detenerse is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow the typical patterns of regular verbs. You’ll need to memorize its unique set of conjugations for each subject pronoun.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Detenerse (to stop) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Latin American Spanish):

The present subjunctive of detenerse is used to express wishes, desires, demands, or uncertainty about an action or state of stopping or pausing.

Wish or desire: For example, Espero que el tren se detenga a tiempo (I hope the train stops on time). This expresses the desire for the train to stop when it should.

Demand or recommendation: For example, Es necesario que te detengas en el semáforo (It’s necessary that you stop at the red light). This is a demand or strong recommendation to stop at the red light.

Uncertainty: For example, No sé si el autobús se detenga aquí (I don’t know if the bus stops here). This expresses uncertainty about whether the bus will stop at a particular location.

Idiomatic usage: The phrase detenerse a pensar (to stop and think) means to carefully consider something before acting. For example, Deberías detenerte a pensar antes de tomar esa decisión (You should stop and think before making that decision).

Examples

Examples of Detenerse in the Subjunctive Mood

Espero que nadie se detenga a mitad del camino. (I hope no one stops halfway.)

Es importante que te detengas en los semáforos en rojo. (It’s important that you stop at red lights.)

El instructor insistió en que todos se detengan y escuchen las instrucciones de seguridad. (The instructor insisted that everyone stop and listen to the safety instructions.)

Aunque tengas prisa, es necesario que te detengas en las señales de alto. (Even if you’re in a hurry, it’s necessary that you stop at stop signs.)

Ojalá que el chofer se detenga a recoger a los pasajeros. (Hopefully the driver stops to pick up the passengers.)

El guardia le ordenó al sospechoso que se detenga inmediatamente. (The guard ordered the suspect to stop immediately.)

Preferiría que te detengas a considerar todas las opciones antes de tomar una decisión. (I’d prefer that you stop to consider all the options before making a decision.)

Es una lástima que el equipo se detenga cada vez que enfrentan un obstáculo. (It’s a shame that the team stops every time they face an obstacle.)

Tal vez sería mejor que te detengas a descansar un rato. (Maybe it would be better if you stopped to rest for a while.)

Dudo que el atleta se detenga a mitad de la carrera. (I doubt the athlete will stop halfway through the race.)

Me temo que si te detengas, no podrás alcanzar tu meta a tiempo. (I’m afraid that if you stop, you won’t be able to reach your goal on time.)

A menos que se detenga, el tren no podrá recoger a los pasajeros. (Unless it stops, the train won’t be able to pick up the passengers.)

Aunque el camino sea difícil, espero que nadie se detenga. (Although the road is difficult, I hope no one stops.)

Quiero que te detengas a pensar en las consecuencias de tus acciones. (I want you to stop and think about the consequences of your actions.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Detenerse (to stop) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.