Non-finite forms
Infinitivo and Gerundio
| Form | Spanish | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Infinitivo | obligar | Dictionary form and base form for many compound structures. |
| Gerundio | obligando | Used with estar for progressive forms, for example estar obligando. |
Spanish verb conjugation
Obligar conjugation
obligar is a regular Spanish -AR verb meaning oblige / force. In the present tense: yo obligo, tú obligas, él/ella obliga, nosotros obligamos, vosotros obligáis, ellos obligan. Full conjugation across 18 tenses below.
Rank #177-ARRegular18 tense tables
At a glance
- Infinitive
- obligar
- Gerundio
- obligando
- Meaning
- oblige / force
- Pattern
- Regular
- Difficulty
- Level 2
Conjugation tables
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Study tense
Obligar across the MuyVerbs tense system
Study present continuous
Presente
Present
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligo | Yo obligo a todos a seguir las reglas.I oblige everyone to follow the rules. |
| tú | obligas | Tú obligas al equipo a reaccionar rápido.You force the team to react quickly. |
| él | obliga | Él obliga a su hijo a estudiar.He forces his son to study. |
| nosotros | obligamos | Nosotros obligamos a la gente a esperar.We force people to wait. |
| vosotros | obligáis | Vosotros obligáis a todos a decidir ya.You force everyone to decide now. |
| ellos | obligan | Ellos obligan al grupo a cambiar de plan.They force the group to change plans. |
Pretérito Perfecto
Present Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | he obligado | Yo he obligado a todos a escuchar hoy.I have forced everyone to listen today. |
| tú | has obligado | Tú has obligado al equipo a reaccionar rápido.You have forced the team to react quickly. |
| él | ha obligado | Él ha obligado a su hijo a estudiar.He has forced his son to study. |
| nosotros | hemos obligado | Nosotros hemos obligado a la gente a esperar.We have forced people to wait. |
| vosotros | habéis obligado | Vosotros habéis obligado a todos a decidir.You have forced everyone to decide. |
| ellos | han obligado | Ellos han obligado al grupo a cambiar de plan.They have forced the group to change plans. |
Pretérito Indefinido
Preterite
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligué | Ayer yo obligué a todos a callar.Yesterday I forced everyone to be quiet. |
| tú | obligaste | Tú obligaste al equipo a reaccionar.You forced the team to react. |
| él | obligó | Él obligó a su hijo a quedarse.He forced his son to stay. |
| nosotros | obligamos | Nosotros obligamos a la gente a esperar fuera.We forced people to wait outside. |
| vosotros | obligasteis | Vosotros obligasteis a todos a elegir rápido.You forced everyone to choose quickly. |
| ellos | obligaron | Ellos obligaron al grupo a cambiar la ruta.They forced the group to change route. |
Pretérito Imperfecto
Imperfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligaba | Yo obligaba a todos a seguir mis horarios.I used to force everyone to follow my schedule. |
| tú | obligabas | Tú obligabas al equipo a reaccionar siempre.You used to force the team to react all the time. |
| él | obligaba | Él obligaba a su hijo a estudiar más.He used to force his son to study more. |
| nosotros | obligábamos | Nosotros obligábamos a la gente a esperar mucho.We used to force people to wait a lot. |
| vosotros | obligabais | Vosotros obligabais a todos a decidir deprisa.You used to force everyone to decide quickly. |
| ellos | obligaban | Ellos obligaban al grupo a cambiar de idea.They used to force the group to change its mind. |
Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto
Past Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | había obligado | Yo había obligado a todos a escuchar antes.I had forced everyone to listen before. |
| tú | habías obligado | Tú habías obligado al equipo a reaccionar ya.You had forced the team to react already. |
| él | había obligado | Él había obligado a su hijo a quedarse.He had forced his son to stay. |
| nosotros | habíamos obligado | Nosotros habíamos obligado a la gente a esperar demasiado.We had forced people to wait too long. |
| vosotros | habíais obligado | Vosotros habíais obligado a todos a decidir esa mañana.You had forced everyone to decide that morning. |
| ellos | habían obligado | Ellos habían obligado al grupo a cambiar de plan.They had forced the group to change plans. |
Pretérito Anterior
Preterite Anterior
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hube obligado | Cuando yo hube obligado a todos a callar, empezó la reunión.When I had forced everyone to be quiet, the meeting began. |
| tú | hubiste obligado | En cuanto tú hubiste obligado al equipo a reaccionar, hubo avances.As soon as you had forced the team to react, there was progress. |
| él | hubo obligado | Después de que él hubo obligado a su hijo a quedarse, salió solo.After he had forced his son to stay, he left alone. |
| nosotros | hubimos obligado | Apenas nosotros hubimos obligado a la gente a esperar, llegaron las quejas.As soon as we had forced people to wait, the complaints came. |
| vosotros | hubisteis obligado | Una vez que vosotros hubisteis obligado a todos a decidir, volvió el orden.Once you had forced everyone to decide, order returned. |
| ellos | hubieron obligado | Cuando ellos hubieron obligado al grupo a cambiar de ruta, se perdieron.When they had forced the group to change route, they got lost. |
Futuro
Future
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligaré | Yo obligaré a todos a escuchar mañana.I will force everyone to listen tomorrow. |
| tú | obligarás | Tú obligarás al equipo a reaccionar.You will force the team to react. |
| él | obligará | Él obligará a su hijo a quedarse.He will force his son to stay. |
| nosotros | obligaremos | Nosotros obligaremos a la gente a esperar menos.We will force people to wait less. |
| vosotros | obligaréis | Vosotros obligaréis a todos a decidir pronto.You will force everyone to decide soon. |
| ellos | obligarán | Ellos obligarán al grupo a cambiar el plan.They will force the group to change the plan. |
Futuro Perfecto
Future Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | habré obligado | Para entonces yo habré obligado a todos a escuchar.By then I will have forced everyone to listen. |
| tú | habrás obligado | Tú habrás obligado al equipo a reaccionar ya.You will have forced the team to react already. |
| él | habrá obligado | Él habrá obligado a su hijo a quedarse.He will have forced his son to stay. |
| nosotros | habremos obligado | Nosotros habremos obligado a la gente a esperar menos.We will have forced people to wait less. |
| vosotros | habréis obligado | Vosotros habréis obligado a todos a decidir.You will have forced everyone to decide. |
| ellos | habrán obligado | Ellos habrán obligado al grupo a cambiar la ruta.They will have forced the group to change route. |
Condicional
Conditional
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligaría | Yo no obligaría a nadie a quedarse.I would not force anyone to stay. |
| tú | obligarías | Tú obligarías al equipo a reaccionar si hiciera falta.You would force the team to react if necessary. |
| él | obligaría | Él obligaría a su hijo a pedir perdón.He would force his son to apologize. |
| nosotros | obligaríamos | Nosotros no obligaríamos a la gente a esperar tanto.We would not force people to wait so long. |
| vosotros | obligaríais | Vosotros obligaríais a todos a decidir hoy.You would force everyone to decide today. |
| ellos | obligarían | Ellos obligarían al grupo a cambiar de sala.They would force the group to change rooms. |
Condicional Perfecto
Conditional Perfect
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | habría obligado | Yo no habría obligado a nadie a quedarse.I would not have forced anyone to stay. |
| tú | habrías obligado | Tú habrías obligado al equipo a reaccionar si hubiera hecho falta.You would have forced the team to react if it had been necessary. |
| él | habría obligado | Él habría obligado a su hijo a pedir perdón.He would have forced his son to apologize. |
| nosotros | habríamos obligado | Nosotros no habríamos obligado a la gente a esperar tanto.We would not have forced people to wait so long. |
| vosotros | habríais obligado | Vosotros habríais obligado a todos a decidir hoy.You would have forced everyone to decide today. |
| ellos | habrían obligado | Ellos habrían obligado al grupo a cambiar de sala.They would have forced the group to change rooms. |
Subjuntivo Presente
Present Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligue | Es raro que yo obligue a alguien a venir.It is strange that I force someone to come. |
| tú | obligues | Quiero que tú no obligues al equipo a correr.I want you not to force the team to rush. |
| él | obligue | Es importante que él no obligue a su hijo a mentir.It is important that he not force his son to lie. |
| nosotros | obliguemos | Deseo que nosotros no obliguemos a la gente a esperar.I wish that we do not force people to wait. |
| vosotros | obliguéis | Es mejor que vosotros no obliguéis a todos a elegir ya.It is better that you do not force everyone to choose now. |
| ellos | obliguen | Temo que ellos obliguen al grupo a cambiar.I fear that they may force the group to change. |
Subjuntivo Pretérito Perfecto
Present Perfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | haya obligado | Dudo que yo haya obligado a alguien a venir.I doubt that I have forced someone to come. |
| tú | hayas obligado | No creo que tú hayas obligado al equipo a correr.I do not think that you have forced the team to rush. |
| él | haya obligado | Es posible que él haya obligado a su hijo a mentir.It is possible that he has forced his son to lie. |
| nosotros | hayamos obligado | Es probable que nosotros hayamos obligado a la gente a esperar.It is likely that we have forced people to wait. |
| vosotros | hayáis obligado | No parece que vosotros hayáis obligado a todos a elegir.It does not seem that you have forced everyone to choose. |
| ellos | hayan obligado | Puede que ellos hayan obligado al grupo a cambiar de sala.They may have forced the group to change rooms. |
Subjuntivo Pretérito Imperfecto
Imperfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligara | Si yo obligara a alguien a venir, se notaría.If I forced someone to come, it would show. |
| tú | obligaras | Si tú obligaras al equipo a correr, cometerían errores.If you forced the team to rush, they would make mistakes. |
| él | obligara | Si él obligara a su hijo a mentir, sería grave.If he forced his son to lie, it would be serious. |
| nosotros | obligáramos | Si nosotros obligáramos a la gente a esperar, habría quejas.If we forced people to wait, there would be complaints. |
| vosotros | obligarais | Si vosotros obligarais a todos a elegir, habría tensión.If you forced everyone to choose, there would be tension. |
| ellos | obligaran | Si ellos obligaran al grupo a cambiar, perderían apoyo.If they forced the group to change, they would lose support. |
Subjuntivo Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto
Past Perfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hubiera obligado | Si yo hubiera obligado a alguien a venir, se habría notado.If I had forced someone to come, it would have shown. |
| tú | hubieras obligado | Si tú hubieras obligado al equipo a correr, habrían cometido errores.If you had forced the team to rush, they would have made mistakes. |
| él | hubiera obligado | Si él hubiera obligado a su hijo a mentir, habría sido grave.If he had forced his son to lie, it would have been serious. |
| nosotros | hubiéramos obligado | Si nosotros hubiéramos obligado a la gente a esperar, habría habido quejas.If we had forced people to wait, there would have been complaints. |
| vosotros | hubierais obligado | Si vosotros hubierais obligado a todos a elegir, habría habido tensión.If you had forced everyone to choose, there would have been tension. |
| ellos | hubieran obligado | Si ellos hubieran obligado al grupo a cambiar, habrían perdido apoyo.If they had forced the group to change, they would have lost support. |
Subjuntivo Futuro
Future Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | obligare | Si algún día yo obligare a alguien a venir, te lo diré.If someday I should force someone to come, I will tell you. |
| tú | obligares | Si tú obligares al equipo a reaccionar, habrá presión.If you should force the team to react, there will be pressure. |
| él | obligare | Si él obligare a su hijo a quedarse, habrá conflicto.If he should force his son to stay, there will be conflict. |
| nosotros | obligáremos | Si nosotros obligáremos a la gente a esperar, se enfadarán.If we should force people to wait, they will get angry. |
| vosotros | obligareis | Si vosotros obligareis a todos a elegir, responderán mal.If you should force everyone to choose, they will respond badly. |
| ellos | obligaren | Si ellos obligaren al grupo a cambiar, se notará.If they should force the group to change, it will show. |
Subjuntivo Futuro Perfecto
Future Perfect Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hubiere obligado | Cuando yo hubiere obligado a alguien a venir, te explicaré por qué.When I shall have forced someone to come, I will explain why. |
| tú | hubieres obligado | Cuando tú hubieres obligado al equipo a reaccionar, habrá cansancio.When you shall have forced the team to react, there will be tiredness. |
| él | hubiere obligado | Cuando él hubiere obligado a su hijo a quedarse, hablarán después.When he shall have forced his son to stay, they will talk afterward. |
| nosotros | hubiéremos obligado | Cuando nosotros hubiéremos obligado a la gente a esperar, pediremos disculpas.When we shall have forced people to wait, we will apologize. |
| vosotros | hubiereis obligado | Cuando vosotros hubiereis obligado a todos a elegir, habrá silencio.When you shall have forced everyone to choose, there will be silence. |
| ellos | hubieren obligado | Cuando ellos hubieren obligado al grupo a cambiar, surgirán dudas.When they shall have forced the group to change, doubts will arise. |
Imperativo Afirmativo
Affirmative Imperative
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | - | — |
| tú | obliga | Tú, obliga al equipo a reaccionar.You, force the team to react. |
| él | obligue | Que él obligue a su hijo a escuchar.Let him force his son to listen. |
| nosotros | obliguemos | obliguemos a todos a elegir ya.Let us force everyone to choose now. |
| vosotros | obligad | Vosotros, obligad al grupo a moverse.You, force the group to move. |
| ellos | obliguen | Que ellos obliguen a la gente a entrar.Let them force the people to go in. |
Imperativo Negativo
Negative Imperative
| Pronoun | Form | Context |
|---|---|---|
| yo | - | — |
| tú | no obligues | No no obligues a nadie a quedarse.Do not force anyone to stay. |
| él | no obligue | Que él no no obligue a su hijo a mentir.Let him not force his son to lie. |
| nosotros | no obliguemos | No no obliguemos a la gente a esperar más.Let us not force people to wait longer. |
| vosotros | no obliguéis | No no obliguéis a todos a decidir hoy.Do not force everyone to decide today. |
| ellos | no obliguen | Que ellos no no obliguen al grupo a cambiar sin hablar.Let them not force the group to change without talking. |
Free web drill
Practice obligar
1 / 1
Presente•yo
Yo ___ a todos a seguir las reglas.
I oblige everyone to follow the rules.
Need grammar help?How to form Presente
Use Presente for facts, habits, current states, and regular actions.
Formation
- 1Remove the infinitive ending: -ar, -er, or -ir.
- 2Add the present endings for the subject.
- 3Watch high-frequency irregulars like ser, estar, ir, tener, hacer, and decir.
Pattern
-ar: o, as, a, amos, áis, an-er: o, es, e, emos, éis, en-ir: o, es, e, imos, ís, en
Examples
hablar -> yo hablocomer -> él comevivir -> vosotros vivís
Presente is the base system. Master the endings first, then handle irregular yo forms and stem changes.
Grammar to master with obligar
Related Spanish grammar topics
Concepts that come up every time you conjugate obligar. Each is a short, focused guide.
Common questions
Obligar conjugation — frequently asked
Short, direct answers to what learners search most about obligar.
- What does 'obligar' mean in English?
- In Spanish, 'obligar' means to oblige / force. It is a regular -AR verb used across all 18 standard Spanish tenses.
- Is obligar an irregular verb in Spanish?
- Obligar is a regular -AR verb. Its endings follow the standard pattern in every tense without stem or root changes.
- How do you conjugate obligar in the present tense?
- Present tense (Presente) of obligar: yo obligo, tú obligas, él/ella/usted obliga, nosotros obligamos, vosotros obligáis, ellos/ellas/ustedes obligan.
- How do you conjugate obligar in the preterite?
- Preterite (Pretérito Indefinido) of obligar: yo obligué, tú obligaste, él/ella/usted obligó, nosotros obligamos, vosotros obligasteis, ellos/ellas/ustedes obligaron. This tense expresses completed past actions at a defined point in time.
- What is the imperfect tense of obligar?
- Imperfect (Pretérito Imperfecto) of obligar: yo obligaba, tú obligabas, él/ella/usted obligaba, nosotros obligábamos, vosotros obligabais, ellos/ellas/ustedes obligaban. The imperfect describes past habits, ongoing actions, and background states.
- What is the past participle of obligar?
- The past participle of obligar is 'obligado'. It is used to form compound tenses with the auxiliary verb haber — for example, 'he obligado' (I have oblige / forceed), 'has obligado', 'ha obligado'.
- What is the gerundio (present participle) of obligar?
- The gerundio of obligar is 'obligando'. It pairs with estar to form the present continuous (estoy obligando) and other progressive tenses, indicating an action in progress.
Related verbs
Continue with verbs that share the same ending and difficulty band.