The Present Subjunctive of Sostener is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about sustaining or maintaining something, for example: Espero que sostengas tu posición en el debate. (I hope you sustain your position in the debate.)

Sostener 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 Present Subjunctive.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Sostener (to hold up) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Latin American Spanish):

The present subjunctive of sostener is used to express wishes, desires, demands, or uncertainty about something in the present tense.

To express a wish or desire: For example, Espero que sostengas tu promesa. (I hope you keep your promise.)

To express a demand or recommendation: For example, Es necesario que sostengas la caja con cuidado. (It’s necessary that you hold the box carefully.)

To express uncertainty or doubt: For example, Dudo que puedas sostener tanto peso. (I doubt you can hold so much weight.)

Figurative meaning: To support or maintain: For example, Es importante que sostengas tus convicciones. (It’s important that you stand by your convictions.) This can also be used in a slang way to mean “to put up with” something, like No puedo sostener más sus quejas. (I can’t put up with their complaints anymore.)

Examples

Examples of Sostener in the Subjunctive Mood

Es importante que sostengas una postura recta al sentarte. (It’s important that you maintain good posture when sitting.)

Aunque sea difícil, es necesario que sostengas la calma en situaciones estresantes. (Although it’s difficult, it’s necessary that you remain calm in stressful situations.)

Para que el negocio prospere, es crucial que sostengamos buenas relaciones con los clientes. (For the business to thrive, it’s crucial that we maintain good relationships with customers.)

Ojalá que los manifestantes sostengan una protesta pacífica. (Hopefully the protesters maintain a peaceful protest.)

Es importante que los padres sostengan una comunicación abierta con sus hijos. (It’s important that parents maintain open communication with their children.)

Aunque cueste trabajo, es necesario que sostengas tus convicciones. (Although it’s difficult, it’s necessary that you stand by your convictions.)

Para tener éxito en la vida, es esencial que sostengamos una actitud positiva. (To be successful in life, it’s essential that we maintain a positive attitude.)

Ojalá que los líderes mundiales sostengan conversaciones de paz. (Hopefully world leaders maintain peace talks.)

Es recomendable que sostengas una rutina de ejercicio regular. (It’s advisable that you maintain a regular exercise routine.)

Aunque sea un reto, es importante que sostengamos nuestras tradiciones culturales. (Although it’s a challenge, it’s important that we maintain our cultural traditions.)

Para progresar en tu carrera, es crucial que sostengas buenas relaciones con tus colegas. (To progress in your career, it’s crucial that you maintain good relationships with your colleagues.)

Ojalá que los activistas sostengan su lucha por un mundo más justo. (Hopefully the activists maintain their fight for a more just world.)

Es recomendable que sostengas una dieta equilibrada y nutritiva. (It’s advisable that you maintain a balanced and nutritious diet.)

Aunque sea difícil, es importante que sostengamos la esperanza en tiempos difíciles. (Although it’s difficult, it’s important that we maintain hope in difficult times.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Sostener (to hold up) 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.