Conjugate -ger and -gir verbs with g > j change in El Presente de Subjuntivo (present subjunctive)

Inma Sánchez
2021-04-23
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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.

This table shows two verbs that follow this pattern:
  PROTEGER
to protect		 DIRIGIR
to lead
 yo proteja dirija
 tú protejas dirijas

él / ella
usted

 proteja dirija
nosotros 
nosotras		 protejamos dirijamos
vosotros 
vosotras		 protejáis dirijáis
ellos / ellas
ustedes		 protejan dirijan

 

Notice how the -g- from the infinitive has switched to a -j- in all forms.

Other verbs affected by this change are:

  • Coger (to take)
  • Acoger  (to take in)
  • Recoger  (to pick up)
  • Escoger  (to choose)
  • Exigir  (to demand)
  • Sumergir  (to plunge)
  • Fingir  (to pretend)

 Have a look and listen to these examples:

No quiere que yo proteja a mis hijos tanto.She doesn't want me to protect my children so much.

No cojas el autobús en esa esquina.Don't catch the bus on that corner.

Es bueno que María dirija al grupo.It is good that María leads the group.

Es mejor que escojamos un vino australiano.We'd rather choose an Australian wine.

Os pido que recojáis a vuestra hermana.I am asking you to collect your sister. [you=vosotros]

Es necesario que exijamos una explicación.It is necessary to demand an explanation.

Es imprescindible que ustedes protejan a los jóvenes.It's necessary that you protect the young.

See the Verb list: -ger/-gir stem-changing verbs (g > j) 

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Examples and resources

Es necesario que exijamos una explicación.It is necessary to demand an explanation.
Os pido que recojáis a vuestra hermana.I am asking you to collect your sister. [you=vosotros]
Es bueno que María dirija al grupo.It is good that María leads the group.
Es imprescindible que ustedes protejan a los jóvenes.It's necessary that you protect the young.
No quiere que yo proteja a mis hijos tanto.She doesn't want me to protect my children so much.
Es mejor que escojamos un vino australiano.We'd rather choose an Australian wine.
No cojas el autobús en esa esquina.Don't catch the bus on that corner.
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