pertenezcan

Pertenezcan is the present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb pertenecer, used with the subject plural ustedes or los/las miembros (ellos/ellas) depending on the context. The infinitive pertenecer means “to belong” or “to pertain.” The verb is irregular in the first person singular present indicative (yo pertenezco) and forms the present subjunctive from the stem pertenezc-.

In the present subjunctive, the conjugation for ustedes/ellos is pertenezcan. The full present-subjunctive paradigm for pertenecer is: yo pertenezca, tú pertenezcas, él/ella/Ud. pertenezca, nosotros pertenezcamos, vosotros pertenezcáis, ellos/ellas/Uds. pertenezcan. The spelling retains the z before the -an ending, reflecting the irregular yo form pertenezco and the related stem pertenezc- used in all subjunctive forms.

Usage notes: Pertenezcan appears in subordinate clauses introduced by que, typically after verbs or expressions that convey desire, doubt, uncertainty, emotion, necessity, or possibility. Examples include: “Es necesario que ustedes pertenezcan al grupo,” “Quiero que ustedes pertenezcan al comité,” or “Dudo que ellos pertenezcan a esa familia.” The form is also used in indirect discourse and after certain impersonal phrases that require the subjunctive.

Relation to other forms: The present indicative forms of pertenecer are pertenezco, perteneces, pertenece, pertenecemos, pertenecéis, pertenecen. The subjunctive mood contrasts with the indicative in clauses that express non-real, hypothetical, or non-factual situations.

See also: pertenecer; Spanish subjunctive mood; conjugation patterns for -er verbs with irregular yo forms.