Reconozcan

Reconozcan is a conjugated form of the Spanish verb reconocer, meaning to recognize or to acknowledge. It functions as the present subjunctive form for ustedes, ellos, and ellas, and as the affirmative imperative for ustedes. In everyday usage you will encounter it in sentences such as “Es importante que ustedes reconozcan sus errores” and “Reconozcan la autoridad de la ley.”

Grammatical notes: Reconocer is irregular in the present tense, with yo tengo “reconozco” and ellos “reconocen.” In the present subjunctive, the forms are yo reconozca, tú reconozcas, él reconozca, nosotros reconocamos, vosotros reconozcáis, ellos reconozcan. The affirmative imperative for ustedes uses the same form: reconozcan. The negative imperative is “no reconozcan.”

Usage and nuance: The subjunctive is used after verbs or expressions that require doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion, and in subordinate clauses introduced by que, as in “Es necesario que ustedes reconozcan la realidad.” The imperative form reconozcan is used to give a direct instruction or request to a group. The form is standard in Latin American Spanish and in formal writing; in Spain, the ustedes form is widely understood, with regional variations in directness and formality.

Etymology and cognates: Reconocer derives from Latin recognoscere, meaning to recall or acknowledge. English cognates include recognize. The spelling change from reconoc- to reconoz- reflects Spanish orthography that preserves the pronunciation of the stem before the endings.