It is translated by the English present participle, and conjugated with the verb _estar_, (to be;) as,
Anastasia is reading, and Maria | _Anastasia está leyendo, y Maria_ Ann is playing on the piano. | _Ana está tocando el piano_.
By practising virtue thou wilt | _Practicando la virtud, serás feliz_. be happy. |
Verbs ending in _car_ change the _c_ into _que_, when the first letter of the termination is _e_; as, to mark, _marcar_, marc-ar, (perfect tense) _marqué_.
Verbs ending in _gar_ add a _u_ immediately after the _g_ in the terminations beginning by _e_; as, to pay, _pagar_, pag-ar, (perfect tense) _pagué_.
Verbs in _cer_ change the _c_ into _z_ } “ _ger_ “ _g_ “ _j_ } when the first letter of “ _gir_ “ _g_ “ _j_ } the termination is either “ _quir_ “ _qu_ “ _c_ } _o_ or _a_. “ _guir_ lose the _u_ }
Examples:—To vanquish, _vencer_, venzo; to choose, _escoger_ escojo; to elect, _elegir_, elijo; to transgress the law, _delinquir_ delinco; to follow, _seguir_, sigo.
REMARKS ON THE USE OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD.
1. The imperfect tense of the subjunctive has three terminations; the first in _ra_, the second in _ria_, the third in _se_.
The termination _ra_ (or _se_) must be used when the verb is governed by a conditional conjunction, or an interjection expressing a _wish_; and if any other verb be in the same phrase to complete its sense, it must be placed in the termination _ria_; as, If you studied more, you would learn very much; _Si usted estudiara mas, V. aprenderia mucho_.
2. When the verb begins without a conditional conjunction, the termination _ra_ or _ría_ may be used, and the verb requisite to complete the sentence must be placed in the termination _se_; as, It would be proper that you should write to him; _Fuera_ (or _seria_) _bueno que V. le escribiese_.
3. Verbs denoting _admiration_, _command_, _desire_, _duty_, _fear_, _ignorance_, _intention_, _permission_, _prohibition_, _application_, _surprise_, _will_, and also the _impersonal verbs_, govern the next verb in the subjunctive with _que_. If the _governing_ verb is in the present or future of the indicative, or subjunctive, the verb governed must be placed in the present of the subjunctive. If the _governing_ verb be in any of the past tenses of the indicative, the verb governed must be placed in the _first_ or _third_ termination of the imperfect tense of the subjunctive; as, They beg you to come early; _Suplican a V. que venga temprano_. I requested him to send you my letter; _Le encargué que enviara á V. mi carta_.