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Conjugation Chart of “Detener” (to stop) in the Subjunctive Mood

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Understanding the Subjunctive Mood of “Detener”

The present subjunctive mood 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 alto. (It’s important that you stop the car when you see the stop sign.)

Detener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation follows a unique pattern in the present subjunctive mood.

How to Use Detener in the Subjunctive Mood

The present subjunctive of detener is used to express desires, doubts, demands, or hypothetical situations.

Desire or hope: For example, Espero que la policía detenga al ladrón. (I hope the police stop the thief.)

Doubt or uncertainty: For example, No creo que puedan detener la fuga de información. (I don’t think they can stop the information leak.)

Demand or request: For example, Es necesario que detengan la construcción hasta obtener los permisos. (It’s necessary that they stop the construction until obtaining the permits.)

Hypothetical situation: For example, Si pudiera detener el tiempo, viajaría por el mundo. (If I could stop time, I would travel the world.)

Idiomatic usage: Detener las piernas (to stop walking or moving around so much, often said to children). No me detengas (don’t stop me, in the sense of don’t interrupt me or don’t prevent me from doing something).

Real Life 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.)

El juez ordenó que el acusado detuviera sus acciones ilegales. (The judge ordered that the accused stop his illegal actions.)

Espero que detengan la construcción hasta que se resuelvan los problemas ambientales. (I hope they stop the construction until the environmental issues are resolved.)

Para evitar un accidente, es crucial que detengamos el vehículo de inmediato. (To avoid an accident, it’s crucial that we stop the vehicle immediately.)

Aunque no quieras, es necesario que detengas esa conducta dañina. (Even if you don’t want to, it’s necessary that you stop that harmful behavior.)

Ojalá que la policía detenga a los ladrones antes de que escapen. (Hopefully the police stop the thieves before they escape.)

El entrenador insistió en que los jugadores detuvieran su discusión y se concentraran en el juego. (The coach insisted that the players stop their argument and focus on the game.)

A menos que detengan la producción, los recursos naturales se agotarán pronto. (Unless they stop production, natural resources will run out soon.)

Sugiero que detengamos esta conversación por ahora y la retomemos en otro momento. (I suggest we stop this conversation for now and pick it up another time.)

Es fundamental que detengas esos pensamientos negativos y te enfoques en lo positivo. (It’s essential that you stop those negative thoughts and focus on the positive.)

Tal vez sería mejor que detengan los planes de expansión hasta estabilizar las finanzas. (Maybe it would be better if they stop the expansion plans until the finances are stabilized.)

Aunque cueste, es imprescindible que detengas esa adicción de una vez por todas. (Even though it’s difficult, it’s essential that you stop that addiction once and for all.)

El médico recomendó que el paciente detuviera el tratamiento por unos días. (The doctor recommended that the patient stop the treatment for a few days.)

Quiero que detengan la pelea ahora mismo antes de que alguien salga herido. (I want them to stop the fight right now before someone gets hurt.)

Independientemente de las circunstancias, es crucial que detengamos la violencia de inmediato. (Regardless of the circumstances, it’s crucial that we stop the violence immediately.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Detener (to stop) in the Subjunctive Mood (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.