Elige

Elige is a form of the Spanish verb elegir, meaning to choose or to select. In present tense, it can function as the third-person singular present indicative (él/ella/Ud. elige) or as the second-person singular imperative (tú elige, meaning “Choose!”). The verb is irregular in the present tense; its yo form is elijo, while tú eliges, él/ella/Ud. elige, nosotros elegimos, vosotros elegís, and ellos eligen.

Etymology and related forms: elegir comes from Latin eligere, from ex- “out” and legere “to pick, to gather.” Related forms include elegir (infinitive), elijo (yo form), eliges, elige, elegimos, elegís, eligen; the past participle is elegido, and the noun form meaning “selection” or “election” is elección. The spelling change from g to j in the first-person singular present indicative (elijo) helps preserve the correct pronunciation before the i.

Usage: elige is commonly used to express a choice or decision in everyday language, as well as in elections or selections. Examples: “Élige entre estas opciones” (choose among these options) and “Elige sabiamente” (Choose wisely). In contexts requiring a formal tone, elegir is used with different subject forms as appropriate: “La junta debe elegir a un representante.”

See also: escoger, selección, elección.