to support, to sustain
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Sostengo la escalera mientras subes.
I'll hold the ladder while you climb.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Mi madre sostuvo a la familia sola.
My mother supported the family on her own.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Dos columnas sostenían el techo.
Two columns held up the roof.
Futuro · What will happen
Esta viga sostendrá el techo.
This beam will hold up the roof.
Condicional · What would happen
Esa silla no te sostendría.
That chair wouldn't hold you.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Hemos sostenido a la familia con este negocio.
We've supported the family with this business.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ya habían sostenido esa opinión.
They had already held that opinion.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Rarely used with this verb.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Con más clavos, habría sostenido el peso.
With more nails, it would have held the weight.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Quiero que sostengas esto un momento.
I want you to hold this for a moment.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Le pedí que sostuviera al bebé.
I asked her to hold the baby.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Pedí que sostuviesen la puerta.
I asked them to hold the door.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Dudo que el techo haya sostenido el peso.
I doubt the roof has held the weight.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubiera sostenido la escalera, no te habrías caído.
If I had held the ladder, you wouldn't have fallen.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Sostén al bebé un momento.
Hold the baby for a moment.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
Rarely used with this verb.