establezcan

Establezcan is a conjugated form of the Spanish verb establecer, meaning to establish, to set up, or to fix. It is specifically the present subjunctive form used with third-person plural subjects (ellos, ellas) and, in the affirmative, the formal command form for ustedes.

Morphology and paradigm. In the present subjunctive, establecer follows a regular pattern with a spelling change in the present indicative stem: establezc- plus the endings. The full present-subjunctive paradigm is: yo establezca, tú establezcas, él/ella/Ud. establezca, nosotros establezcamos, vosotros establezcáis, ellos/ellas/Uds. establezcan. The form establezcan is thus the third-person plural (they or you all) in this mood, and also the affirmative ustedes command form in everyday use.

Usage. Establezcan appears in clauses that require the subjunctive, typically after verbs or expressions of necessity, emotion, doubt, desire, or influence, and after conjunctions that introduce subordinate clauses (for example, para que, en caso de que, aunque). Examples: “Es necesario que ustedes establezcan un protocolo.” “Que establezcan las normas antes de proceder.” Additionally, because the present subjunctive also serves as the affirmative command for ustedes, it functions as a direct instruction: “Establezcan las reglas.”

Etymology and notes. The verb establecer comes from Latin stabilire, meaning to make stable or to set up. The form establezcan reflects the standard present-subjunctive morphology of the verb, including the c-to-z spelling before the endings to preserve the pronunciation of the stem.

See also: conjugation of establecer, Spanish subjunctive mood, Spanish imperatives.