presentar

Presentar is a Spanish verb with multiple related meanings centered on introducing or exposing something to an audience, another person, or an authority. The most common senses are to present or introduce a person, a thing, or an idea; to submit or lodge documents, petitions, or claims; and to display or exhibit something in a formal or public context. The verb can appear in many constructions, including reflexive forms such as presentarse, which means to introduce oneself, to appear, or to report to an authority.

Etymology and related forms: Presentar comes from Latin praesentare, formed from praesent- “present” plus the infinitive suffix -are. It is cognate with similar verbs in other Romance languages, such as Portuguese apresentar. The suffix -ar marks a regular -ar verb in Spanish, and most typical uses of presentar follow regular conjugation patterns.

Conjugation and principal forms: Presentar is a regular -ar verb. In the present indicative the forms are: presento, presentas, presenta, presentamos, presentáis, presentan. The preterite is: presenté, presentaste, presentó, presentamos, presentasteis, presentaron. The imperfect is: presentaba, presentabas, presentaba, presentábamos, presentabais, presentaban. The subjunctive present is: presente, presentes, presente, presentemos, presentéis, presenten. The past participle is presentado and the gerund is presentando. The reflexive form presentarse follows the corresponding subject forms: me presento, te presentas, se presenta, nos presentamos, os presentáis, se presentan.

Usage notes: Presentar governs a direct object for what is being presented (por ejemplo, un informe, una documentación, una candidatura). When introducing a person to another, use presentar a: “Voy a presentar a mi colega.” To lodge or submit something to an authority or institution, use presentarlo or presentarla: “presentar una denuncia,” “presentar una solicitud.” In formal contexts, “presentar credenciales” means to deliver credentials to an authority. Distinguish presentar from exponer or mostrar, where exponer emphasizes explanation or display rather than formal submission.

See also: Exposición, Exponer, Presentación.