The presente de subjuntivo of detener is used to express desires, doubts, or uncertainty about stopping or detaining something, for example: Es importante que detengas el coche cuando veas la señal de stop. (It’s important that you stop the car when you see the stop sign.)

Detener 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 the presente de subjuntivo.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Detener (to stop) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Detener generally means “to stop” or “to detain”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To stop or prevent an action: for example, Espero que no detengan la construcción del nuevo hospital. (I hope they don’t stop the construction of the new hospital.)

To halt or interrupt: for example, Es importante que detengan el sangrado lo antes posible. (It’s important that they stop the bleeding as soon as possible.)

To detain or arrest: for example, La policía quiere que detengan al sospechoso. (The police want them to detain the suspect.)

To pause or suspend: for example, El juez ordenó que detengan el juicio hasta nuevo aviso. (The judge ordered that they suspend the trial until further notice.)

To delay or postpone: for example, Preferiría que no detengan la boda por más tiempo. (I’d prefer that they don’t postpone the wedding any longer.)

To retain or keep: for example, Insistieron en que detengan a los rehenes hasta que se cumplan sus demandas. (They insisted that they keep the hostages until their demands are met.)

Examples

Examples of Detener in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que detengas el auto en el semáforo rojo. (It’s important that you stop the car at the red light.)

Para evitar un accidente, es necesario que detengamos el vehículo a tiempo. (To avoid an accident, it’s necessary that we stop the vehicle in time.)

Mamá insistió en que detengamos la pelea entre hermanos. (Mom insisted that we stop the fight between siblings.)

El entrenador pidió que los jugadores detengan el juego sucio. (The coach asked that the players stop the dirty play.)

Ojalá que detengas esos malos hábitos antes de que sea demasiado tarde. (I hope you stop those bad habits before it’s too late.)

Es crucial que detengáis la propagación de rumores en la oficina. (It’s crucial that you stop the spread of rumors in the office.)

El ambientalista sugirió que las empresas detengan la deforestación para proteger el planeta. (The environmentalist suggested that companies stop deforestation to protect the planet.)

Aunque sea difícil, es mejor que detengas esa relación tóxica. (Although it’s difficult, it’s better that you stop that toxic relationship.)

Los manifestantes exigieron que las autoridades detengan la construcción del oleoducto. (The protesters demanded that the authorities stop the construction of the pipeline.)

El médico recomendó que detengamos el consumo excesivo de azúcar. (The doctor recommended that we stop excessive sugar consumption.)

Es fundamental que detengan el acoso escolar de inmediato. (It’s essential that they stop bullying immediately.)

Ojalá que los líderes mundiales detengan los conflictos armados y promuevan la paz. (I hope world leaders stop armed conflicts and promote peace.)

Para mejorar tu salud, es recomendable que detengas el hábito de fumar. (To improve your health, it’s advisable that you stop the smoking habit.)

El instructor insistió en que detengamos los ejercicios si sentimos dolor. (The instructor insisted that we stop the exercises if we feel pain.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Detener (to stop) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American 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.