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Spanish · Verb · #126 most common

intentar

to try
to attempt

Regular-ar ending

In the tables below, the stem is shown in black and the ending in purple.

1.

Presente

Habitual actions, general truths, and what's happening now.

yointento
intentas
él/ellaintenta
nosotrosintentamos
vosotrosintentáis
ellos/ellasintentan

Intento aprender español todos los días.

I try to learn Spanish every day.

Ella intenta resolver el problema.

She tries to solve the problem.

2.

Pretérito Indefinido

Completed actions at a specific point in the past.

yointenté
intentaste
él/ellaintentó
nosotrosintentamos
vosotrosintentasteis
ellos/ellasintentaron

Ayer intenté cocinar una nueva receta.

Yesterday I tried to cook a new recipe.

Ellos intentaron llegar a tiempo a la reunión.

They tried to arrive on time for the meeting.

3.

Imperfecto

Ongoing or repeated actions in the past, descriptions, and background context.

yointentaba
intentabas
él/ellaintentaba
nosotrosintentábamos
vosotrosintentabais
ellos/ellasintentaban

Cuando era niño, intentaba volar un cometa.

When I was a child, I used to try to fly a kite.

Siempre intentaban ayudar a sus amigos.

They always tried to help their friends.

4.

Futuro Simple

Future actions, predictions, and speculation about the present.

yointentaré
intentarás
él/ellaintentará
nosotrosintentaremos
vosotrosintentaréis
ellos/ellasintentarán

Mañana intentaré terminar el proyecto.

Tomorrow I will try to finish the project.

Ellos intentarán conseguir entradas para el concierto.

They will try to get tickets for the concert.

5.

Condicional

Hypothetical situations, polite requests, and future-in-the-past.

yointentaría
intentarías
él/ellaintentaría
nosotrosintentaríamos
vosotrosintentaríais
ellos/ellasintentarían

Si tuviera tiempo, intentaría aprender a tocar la guitarra.

If I had time, I would try to learn to play the guitar.

Ella intentaría ayudar, pero está ocupada.

She would try to help, but she is busy.

6.

Subjuntivo Presente

Wishes, doubts, emotions, and subordinate clauses expressing uncertainty.

yointente
intentes
él/ellaintente
nosotrosintentemos
vosotrosintentéis
ellos/ellasintenten

Espero que intentes hablar con ella.

I hope you try to talk to her.

Es importante que ellos intenten mejorar sus habilidades.

It's important that they try to improve their skills.

7.

Subjuntivo Imperfecto

Past subjunctive contexts, hypothetical si-clauses, and polite suggestions.

yointentara
intentaras
él/ellaintentara
nosotrosintentáramos
vosotrosintentárais
ellos/ellasintentaran

Si yo intentara estudiar más, podría sacar mejores notas.

If I tried to study more, I could get better grades.

Ojalá que ellos intentaran participar en el evento.

I wish they would try to participate in the event.

"intentar" in other languages

Related verbs

Common questions
Is "intentar" regular or irregular in Spanish?
"intentar" is a regular -ar verb in Spanish. It follows the standard conjugation pattern for -ar verbs.
How do you conjugate "intentar" in the present tense?
In the Presente, "intentar" conjugates as: intentas, intento, intentan, and more. See the full table above.
What is the past tense of "intentar" in Spanish?
In the Pretérito Indefinido, "intentar" conjugates as: intentaste, intenté, intentaron, and more. See the full table above.
How common is "intentar" in Spanish?
"intentar" (to try, to attempt) is one of the most commonly used verbs in Spanish.