Memorize “Retener” conjugations in the Conditional Mood effortlessly. Our unique loop-based audio helps you absorb verb forms naturally—just like native speakers. Tap to play and start memorizing 10x faster now!

Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop while reviewing the conjugation chart to naturally absorb the correct forms. Try it now!

Conjugation Chart of “Retener” (to retain) in the Conditional Mood

Why Use Loop-Based Learning

• 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
• 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
• 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
• 💡 Builds fluency through repetition

Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.

To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency

Understanding the Conditional Mood of “Retener”

The Conditional Mood of sostener is used to express what you would do or what would happen under certain circumstances, for example: Yo sostendría la puerta para ti. (I would hold the door for you.)

Sostener is a stem-changing verb, meaning the vowel in the stem changes in certain conjugations. For the Conditional, the o becomes u in all forms except nosotros and vosotras.

How to Use Retener in the Conditional Mood

The conditional mood of sostener is used to express hypothetical or imagined situations, possibilities, or courteous requests.

Expressing hypothetical situations: For example, Si tuviera más dinero, sostendría una fundación benéfica. (If I had more money, I would support a charitable foundation.)

Expressing possibilities: For example, ¿Podrías sostenerme la puerta? (Could you hold the door for me?)

Making polite requests: For example, ¿Sostendrías mi bebida un momento? (Would you hold my drink for a moment?)

Expressing opinions or beliefs: For example, Yo sostendría que la educación es fundamental. (I would argue that education is essential.)

Slang/Idiomatic: No puedo sostener esta mentira por más tiempo. (I can’t keep up this lie any longer.) ¡Sostén esa actitud y verás! (Keep up that attitude and you’ll see!)

Real Life Examples of Retener in the Conditional Mood

Si sostendría que la economía mejorará, invertiría en la bolsa. (If I would argue that the economy will improve, I would invest in the stock market.)

No sostendrías que el calentamiento global es un mito, ¿verdad? (You wouldn’t argue that global warming is a myth, would you?)

Ella sostendría que la educación es la clave para el éxito. (She would argue that education is the key to success.)

Mis padres sostendrían que debo ahorrar más para el futuro. (My parents would argue that I should save more for the future.)

Los activistas sostendrían que necesitamos proteger el medio ambiente. (The activists would argue that we need to protect the environment.)

¿Sostendrías que el equipo jugó bien a pesar de la derrota? (Would you argue that the team played well despite the loss?)

Nadie sostendría que el crimen es aceptable, ¿verdad? (No one would argue that crime is acceptable, right?)

Los expertos sostendrían que la tecnología está avanzando demasiado rápido. (The experts would argue that technology is advancing too quickly.)

Tú sostendrías que la libertad de expresión es fundamental, ¿no? (You would argue that freedom of speech is fundamental, wouldn’t you?)

Ellos sostendrían que la diversidad cultural es una fortaleza. (They would argue that cultural diversity is a strength.)

Nosotros sostendríamos que el arte es una forma de expresión importante. (We would argue that art is an important form of expression.)

¿Sostendrías que el deporte es bueno para la salud física y mental? (Would you argue that sports are good for physical and mental health?)

Ella sostendría que la moda es una forma de expresión personal. (She would argue that fashion is a form of personal expression.)

Ustedes sostendrían que la música es una parte esencial de la vida, ¿no? (You would argue that music is an essential part of life, wouldn’t you?)

Nadie sostendría que la violencia es la solución, ¿verdad? (No one would argue that violence is the solution, right?)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Retener (to retain) in the Conditional Mood (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Conditional mood is also known as the Simple Conditional, Conditional Simple, Would Tense, or Future of the Past in English, and as Condicional Simple, Pospretérito, Potencial Simple, or Condicional de Indicativo in Spanish.