Fomentar Conjugation in Spanish
fomentar means "to promote, to foster" in English, and it comes up when people talk about reading among children, sport at school, tourism in the region and creativity at work. This page gives you the complete conjugation of fomentar in every tense and mood — present, preterite, imperfect, future, conditional, the four perfect tenses, both subjunctive tenses and the imperative — with all six persons, plus the gerund and the past participle. Every form below comes from VerbFlow's verified conjugation tables, so you can trust the accents and the spelling changes. fomentar is a regular -ar verb, and the notes under each tense explain exactly where it follows the rules and where it breaks them. To hear it in a real sentence: Cada día, yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "Every day, I promote reading among children." Work through the tables, read the notes, then test yourself with the quiz at the end of the page.
Quick facts
- Infinitive: fomentar
- English: to promote, to foster
- Verb type: regular -ar verb
- Gerund: fomentando
- Past participle: fomentado
- Auxiliary verb: haber (all compound tenses use haber + fomentado)
Full conjugation table
Every tense of fomentar with all six persons. The gerund is fomentando and the past participle is fomentado.
Present indicative
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomento |
| tú | fomentas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomenta |
| nosotros/as | fomentamos |
| vosotros/as | fomentáis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomentan |
Preterite (past)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomenté |
| tú | fomentaste |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomentó |
| nosotros/as | fomentamos |
| vosotros/as | fomentasteis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomentaron |
Imperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomentaba |
| tú | fomentabas |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomentaba |
| nosotros/as | fomentábamos |
| vosotros/as | fomentabais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomentaban |
Future
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomentaré |
| tú | fomentarás |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomentará |
| nosotros/as | fomentaremos |
| vosotros/as | fomentaréis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomentarán |
Conditional
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomentaría |
| tú | fomentarías |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomentaría |
| nosotros/as | fomentaríamos |
| vosotros/as | fomentaríais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomentarían |
Present perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | he fomentado |
| tú | has fomentado |
| él/ella/Ud. | ha fomentado |
| nosotros/as | hemos fomentado |
| vosotros/as | habéis fomentado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | han fomentado |
Pluperfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | había fomentado |
| tú | habías fomentado |
| él/ella/Ud. | había fomentado |
| nosotros/as | habíamos fomentado |
| vosotros/as | habíais fomentado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habían fomentado |
Future perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habré fomentado |
| tú | habrás fomentado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habrá fomentado |
| nosotros/as | habremos fomentado |
| vosotros/as | habréis fomentado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrán fomentado |
Conditional perfect
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | habría fomentado |
| tú | habrías fomentado |
| él/ella/Ud. | habría fomentado |
| nosotros/as | habríamos fomentado |
| vosotros/as | habríais fomentado |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | habrían fomentado |
Present subjunctive
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomente |
| tú | fomentes |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomente |
| nosotros/as | fomentemos |
| vosotros/as | fomentéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomenten |
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| yo | fomentara |
| tú | fomentaras |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomentara |
| nosotros/as | fomentáramos |
| vosotros/as | fomentarais |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomentaran |
Imperative (affirmative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fomenta |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomente |
| nosotros/as | fomentemos |
| vosotros/as | fomentad |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomenten |
Imperative (negative)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| tú | fomentes |
| él/ella/Ud. | fomente |
| nosotros/as | fomentemos |
| vosotros/as | fomentéis |
| ellos/ellas/Uds. | fomenten |
Notes on each tense
A short note for every tense: when it is used, one example, and anything irregular about fomentar in that tense.
Present indicative
The present indicative of fomentar is used for routines, habits, general truths and things happening right now. Cada día, yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "Every day, I promote reading among children." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Preterite (past)
The preterite (past) of fomentar is used for one action that started and finished in the past. Ayer, yo fomenté el deporte en la escuela. — "Yesterday, I promoted sport at school." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperfect
The imperfect of fomentar is used for an ongoing or repeated action in the past, background description and habits that no longer happen. Antes, yo fomentaba el turismo en la región. — "In the past, I used to promote tourism in the region." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Future
The future of fomentar is used for what will happen, plans and predictions. Mañana, nosotros fomentaremos la creatividad en el trabajo. — "Tomorrow, we will promote creativity at work." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Conditional
The conditional of fomentar is used for what would happen, hypothetical situations and polite requests. Si pudieras, tú fomentarías la lectura en los niños. — "If you could, you would promote reading among children." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Present perfect
The present perfect of fomentar is used for an action completed in the recent past that still matters now, or life experience up to now. Yo he fomentado el deporte en la escuela. — "I have promoted sport at school." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect of fomentar is used for an action that had already happened before another past action. Antes de la fiesta, yo había fomentado el turismo en la región. — "Before the party, I had promoted tourism in the region." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Future perfect
The future perfect of fomentar is used for an action that will be finished by a point in the future. Para mañana, yo habré fomentado la creatividad en el trabajo. — "By tomorrow, I will have promoted creativity at work." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Conditional perfect
The conditional perfect of fomentar is used for what would have happened if things had been different. Si hubiera podido, yo habría fomentado la lectura en los niños. — "If I had been able to, I would have promoted reading among children." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Present subjunctive
The present subjunctive of fomentar is used for wishes, doubts, emotions and requests after expressions such as espero que. Espero que él fomente el deporte en la escuela. — "I hope that he/she promotes sport at school." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Imperfect subjunctive (-ra)
The imperfect subjunctive (-ra) of fomentar is used for the same subjunctive meanings in the past, and in si clauses about unreal situations. Si él fomentara el turismo en la región, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she promoted tourism in the region, everything would turn out better." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Say each form aloud with the complement after it, so the person and the ending stay linked in your memory.
Imperative (affirmative)
The imperative (affirmative) of fomentar is used for orders, instructions and invitations. ¡Fomenta la creatividad en el trabajo! — "Promote creativity at work!" For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Compare the forms with the present tense as you learn them, and the pattern will stay clear.
Imperative (negative)
The imperative (negative) of fomentar is used for prohibitions and negative orders. No fomentes la lectura en los niños. — "Do not promote reading among children." For fomentar this tense follows the regular -ar pattern: the stem foment- plus the usual endings. Learn the six forms in the table above, and practise them with the complements in the examples section below.
Examples: fomentar in real sentences
Ten sentences with fomentar, one for each main tense, each with its English translation. Read them aloud, then try changing the person and the complement to make your own versions.
- Cada día, yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "Every day, I promote reading among children." This is the present tense, used for a habit.
- Ayer, yo fomenté el deporte en la escuela. — "Yesterday, I promoted sport at school." This is the preterite, one finished action.
- Antes, yo fomentaba el turismo en la región. — "In the past, I used to promote tourism in the region." This is the imperfect, a repeated action in the past.
- Mañana, nosotros fomentaremos la creatividad en el trabajo. — "Tomorrow, we will promote creativity at work." This is the future tense, a plan for tomorrow.
- Si pudieras, tú fomentarías la lectura en los niños. — "If you could, you would promote reading among children." This is the conditional, something that would happen.
- Yo he fomentado el deporte en la escuela. — "I have promoted sport at school." This is the present perfect, an action with present relevance.
- Espero que él fomente el turismo en la región. — "I hope that he/she promotes tourism in the region." This is the present subjunctive, after espero que.
- Si él fomentara la creatividad en el trabajo, todo saldría mejor. — "If he/she promoted creativity at work, everything would turn out better." This is the imperfect subjunctive, in a si clause.
- ¡Fomenta la lectura en los niños! — "Promote reading among children!" This is the imperative, a direct order or request.
- Ahora, Yo estoy fomentando el deporte en la escuela. — "Now, I am promoting sport at school." This is the progressive, with estar and the gerund.
Common mistakes with fomentar
The errors learners actually make with fomentar, each with the wrong form, the right form, and why it is wrong.
Mistake 1: Adding a reflexive pronoun that does not belong
- Wrong: Yo me fomento la lectura en los niños.
- Right: Yo fomento la lectura en los niños.
- Why: fomentar is not reflexive, so there is no pronoun to add. Yo fomento la lectura en los niños. is the correct sentence, and the extra pronoun changes the meaning.
Mistake 2: Dropping the accent on the vosotros form
- Wrong: Vosotros fomentais la lectura en los niños.
- Right: Vosotros fomentáis la lectura en los niños.
- Why: The vosotros form fomentáis carries a written accent. Without it the word is misspelled, and in writing the accent is part of the form.
Mistake 3: Using the present tense for yesterday
- Wrong: Ayer, yo fomento el deporte en la escuela.
- Right: Ayer, yo fomenté el deporte en la escuela.
- Why: Ayer means yesterday, so the action is finished and needs the preterite. The present tense is for habits and routines, not for yesterday: Ayer, yo fomenté el deporte en la escuela. — "Yesterday, I promoted sport at school."
Mistake 4: Mixing up the gerund and the participle
- Wrong: Estoy fomentado el turismo en la región.
- Right: Estoy fomentando el turismo en la región.
- Why: After estar you need the gerund fomentando for the progressive. The participle fomentado goes with haber in the perfect tenses (he fomentado), never after estar.
Mistake 5: Using the él form for nosotros
- Wrong: Nosotros fomenta la lectura en los niños.
- Right: Nosotros fomentamos la lectura en los niños.
- Why: The person and the ending must match: nosotros takes fomentamos, while fomenta belongs to él and ella. Check the person first, then choose the form.
Quiz: fomentar conjugation
Test yourself with ten questions on fomentar. The answers are explained, so read them even when you get a question right.
1. What is the yo form of fomentar in the present tense?
- (a) fomenta
- (b) fomentamos
- (c) fomento
- (d) fomentas
Answer: (c) fomento. The yo form is fomento. Check the person before you answer.
2. What is the tú form of fomentar in the present tense?
- (a) fomentamos
- (b) fomentas
- (c) fomento
- (d) fomenta
Answer: (b) fomentas. The tú form is fomentas. Check the person before you answer.
3. What is the él/ella form of fomentar in the present tense?
- (a) fomenta
- (b) fomento
- (c) fomentas
- (d) fomentamos
Answer: (a) fomenta. The él/ella form is fomenta. Check the person before you answer.
4. What is the nosotros form of fomentar in the present tense?
- (a) fomento
- (b) fomentas
- (c) fomenta
- (d) fomentamos
Answer: (d) fomentamos. The nosotros form is fomentamos. Check the person before you answer.
5. What is the ellos/ellas form of fomentar in the present tense?
- (a) fomentas
- (b) fomenta
- (c) fomentan
- (d) fomento
Answer: (c) fomentan. The ellos/ellas form is fomentan. Check the person before you answer.
6. What is the gerund of fomentar?
- (a) fomento
- (b) fomentar
- (c) fomentando
- (d) fomentado
Answer: (c) fomentando. The gerund is fomentando, used for the progressive: estoy fomentando.
7. What is the past participle of fomentar?
- (a) fomentar
- (b) fomentado
- (c) fomentando
- (d) fomenté
Answer: (b) fomentado. The past participle is fomentado, used with haber in all perfect tenses: he fomentado.
8. Complete the sentence: Cada día, yo ___ la lectura en los niños.
- (a) fomento
- (b) fomentas
- (c) fomenta
- (d) fomentamos
Answer: (a) fomento. The sentence needs the yo form fomento (Every day, I promote reading among children.)
9. What is the yo form of fomentar in the preterite?
- (a) fomentaste
- (b) fomentó
- (c) fomentamos
- (d) fomenté
Answer: (d) fomenté. The yo preterite is fomenté. The preterite describes one finished action.
10. Complete the sentence: Espero que él ___ el turismo en la región.
- (a) fomentéis
- (b) fomente
- (c) fomentes
- (d) fomentemos
Answer: (b) fomente. After espero que Spanish needs the subjunctive, and the él form is fomente.
Frequently asked questions about fomentar
Is fomentar regular?
Yes. fomentar is a regular -ar verb: fomento, fomenté, fomentaba, fomentaré. There are no spelling changes and no stem changes, so once you know the endings you can conjugate it in every tense.
What does fomentar mean, and when do I use it?
fomentar means "to promote, to foster" in English. Use it when you talk about reading among children, sport at school, tourism in the region and creativity at work — for example: Yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "I promote reading among children." It is a practical verb for everyday conversation, and it appears in all the tenses on this page.
How do you say it in a real sentence?
A natural sentence is: Yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "I promote reading among children." Change the person using the table above, and change the complement to talk about your own life: the verb stays the same, only the ending changes.
Is there a reflexive form of fomentar?
No. fomentar is not reflexive, so it is used without a pronoun: Yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "I promote reading among children." Adding me, te or se would change the meaning, so keep the verb plain unless you mean the reflexive partner.
When do I use the present tense instead of the preterite with fomentar?
Use the present for habits and routines: Yo fomento la lectura en los niños. — "I promote reading among children." Use the preterite for one finished action: Ayer, yo fomenté la lectura en los niños. — "Yesterday, I promoted reading among children." If the action happens regularly, choose the present; if it happened once and is finished, choose the preterite.