Meaning and behavior
What does elegir mean?
Elegir means to choose. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -IR verb. It is non-reflexive.
to elect.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- elegir
- Gerund
- eligiendo
- Past participle
- elegido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -ir pattern in the present, preterite.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of elegir for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | elijo |
| tú | eliges |
| él / ella / usted | elige |
| nosotros / nosotras | elegimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | elegís |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | eligen |
Present forms
Present progressive
Use present estar with eligiendo for an action in progress now.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | estoy eligiendo |
| tú | estás eligiendo |
| él / ella / usted | está eligiendo |
| nosotros / nosotras | estamos eligiendo |
| vosotros / vosotras | estáis eligiendo |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | están eligiendo |
Present forms
Present perfect continuous
Use present haber, estado and eligiendo to emphasize an activity continuing into the present.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | he estado eligiendo |
| tú | has estado eligiendo |
| él / ella / usted | ha estado eligiendo |
| nosotros / nosotras | hemos estado eligiendo |
| vosotros / vosotras | habéis estado eligiendo |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | han estado eligiendo |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of elegir is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | elegí |
| tú | elegiste |
| él / ella / usted | eligió |
| nosotros / nosotras | elegimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | elegisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | eligieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of elegir, or for background information.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | elegía |
| tú | elegías |
| él / ella / usted | elegía |
| nosotros / nosotras | elegíamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | elegíais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | elegían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of elegir for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | elegiré |
| tú | elegirás |
| él / ella / usted | elegirá |
| nosotros / nosotras | elegiremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | elegiréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | elegirán |
Conjugation guide
Subjunctive forms
Subjunctive forms
Present subjunctive
Use these forms when a current wish, reaction, doubt or another trigger requires the subjunctive.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | elija |
| tú | elijas |
| él / ella / usted | elija |
| nosotros / nosotras | elijamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | elijáis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | elijan |
Subjunctive forms
Imperfect subjunctive
Use these forms for past subjunctive contexts and hypothetical structures; the equivalent -se series is also accepted where supplied.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| yo | eligieraAlso accepted: eligiese |
| tú | eligierasAlso accepted: eligieses |
| él / ella / usted | eligieraAlso accepted: eligiese |
| nosotros / nosotras | eligiéramosAlso accepted: eligiésemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | eligieraisAlso accepted: eligieseis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | eligieranAlso accepted: eligiesen |
Conjugation guide
Commands
Commands
Affirmative commands
Choose the affirmative command of elegir that matches the person being addressed.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| tú | elige |
| usted | elija |
| nosotros / nosotras | elijamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | elegid |
| ustedes | elijan |
Commands
Negative commands
Use no with the matching command form of elegir.
| Subject | Elegir |
|---|---|
| tú | no elijas |
| usted | no elija |
| nosotros / nosotras | no elijamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | no elijáis |
| ustedes | no elijan |
Verified context
Examples with elegir
Nos elegirán a ti o a mí.
You or I will be chosen.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRÉl eligió a una buena esposa.
He chose a good wife.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR¿Por qué no me elegiste a mí?
Why didn't you pick me?
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Elegir FAQ
What does elegir mean?
Elegir means to choose.
Is elegir regular or irregular?
Elegir is a irregular -IR verb.
What is the gerund of elegir?
The gerund of elegir is eligiendo.
What is the past participle of elegir?
The past participle of elegir is elegido.
How is elegir conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is elijo, eliges, elige, elegimos, eligen.
How is elegir conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is elegí, elegiste, eligió, elegimos, eligieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.