actúen

Actúen is the present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb actuar for the third-person plural (ellos/ellas/ustedes). It is used in subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive mood, such as after verbs expressing doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion: Es importante que actúen con responsabilidad. It is also used as the affirmative imperative for ustedes, i.e., a direct command to a group.

Morphology and usage: The present subjunctive forms of actuar are actúe, actúes, actúe, actuemos, actuéis, actúen. The form actúen is therefore used for ustedes and, in some contexts, for ellos/ellas in the subjunctive. The accent on the ú helps preserve the correct stress pattern. Examples include: “Es necesario que actúen con prudencia,” or in direct address: “Actúen ya, por favor.”

Etymology and related forms: Actuar comes from Latin actuāre, related to actus and acción, with the current Spanish forms following the standard -ar verb conjugation pattern. The subjunctive endings, including -en for the third-person plural, align with other verbs in this mood and person.

See also: Spanish grammar, subjunctive mood, conjugation of actuar, imperative forms in Spanish.