Conjugate Spanish -ger and -gir verbs (g > j and e > i) in the present subjunctive in Spanish (El Presente de Subjuntivo)

Spanish verbs ending in -ger / -gir replace the -g- with a -j- in all forms in El Presente de Subjuntivo. This is to maintain the original sound of the infinitive. 

There are some -gir verbs within this group that undergo an extra stem change: e > i
Elegir and corregir follow this pattern.

Conjugation of elegir and corregir in El Presente de Subjuntivo in Spanish

  ELEGIR
to choose
CORREGIR
to correct
 yo elija corrija
  elijas corrijas

él / ella
usted

elija corrija
nosotros 
nosotras
elijamos corrijamos
vosotros 
vosotras
elijáis corrijáis
ellos / ellas
ustedes
elijan corrijan

 

Notice how the -g- from the infinitive has switched to a -j- in all forms. And at the same time the -e- switched to an -i- in all forms too.

Other verbs affected by this change, although less common are:

  • regir (to regulate, to govern)
  • reelegir (to reelect)

 Have a look and listen to these examples:

Mis padres me piden que elija mi carrera profesional pronto.My parents are asking me to choose my professional career soon.

Espero que elijas un vestido elegante para la fiesta.I hope you choose an elegant dress for the party. [you = tú]

Andrea no puede salir hasta que corrija todos los exámenes.Andrea can't go out until she marks all the exams.

El jefe quiere que corrijamos los errores del informe antes de enviarlo.The boss wants us to correct the mistakes in the report before sending it.

Será preciso que reelijáis al alcalde.It will be necessary for you to reelect the mayor. [you = vosotros]

La organización hará que sus empleados se rijan por las normas europeas.The organisation will ensure its employees are regulated by European laws.

Esperaré a que ustedes elijan el primer plato.I'll wait for you to choose the first course.

See the List of Spanish -ger/-gir stem-changing verbs (g > j) 

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Examples and resources

Espero que elijas un vestido elegante para la fiesta.I hope you choose an elegant dress for the party. [you = tú]
La organización hará que sus empleados se rijan por las normas europeas.The organisation will ensure its employees are regulated by European laws.
Será preciso que reelijáis al alcalde.It will be necessary for you to reelect the mayor. [you = vosotros]
Andrea no puede salir hasta que corrija todos los exámenes.Andrea can't go out until she marks all the exams.
Mis padres me piden que elija mi carrera profesional pronto.My parents are asking me to choose my professional career soon.
El jefe quiere que corrijamos los errores del informe antes de enviarlo.The boss wants us to correct the mistakes in the report before sending it.
Esperaré a que ustedes elijan el primer plato.I'll wait for you to choose the first course.
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