El presente de subjuntivo – present subjunctive mood (
modos).
The subjunctive is used for wishes, likes and dislikes, necessity,
doubt, possibility, emotion and fear, intentions ... with para, referring
to the future, expressions of advice, and some commands (see imperatives).
Used when the first/other part of the sentence is in the present,
future, or imperative.
(Imperfect subjunctive is used when the first/other part of the
sentence is in the conditional
or a past tense.)
Present
subjunctive
tense
| Present: 1st person present, drop ‘o’ +
|
| -ar
| -er, -ir
|
| yo
| -e
| -a
|
| tú
| -es
| -as
|
| usted, él/ella
| -e
| -a
|
| nosotros/as
| -emos
| -amos
|
| vosotros/as
| -éis
| -áis
|
| ustedes, ellos/ellas
| -en
| -an
|
Usage:
- Advice, desires/wishes, likes and dislikes, emotions, doubt
Often que with two subjects
Es mejor que vayas en tren – it’s best to go by train
Te recomiendo que comas bien – I recommend that you eat
well
Dudo / No creo que viva aquí – I doubt / I don’t think
that he/she lives here
Espero que hables español – I hope you speak Spanish
Quiero que Juan lo haga – I want John to do it
Deseamos que Juan sea feliz — We want John to be happy
(We want that John be happy)
Queremos una habitación que tenga televisión – We want a
room that has a television
Estoy feliz de que estés aquí – I’m happy that you be here
Es terrible que tengamos esperar – It’s terrible that we
have to wait
Me molesta que mi vecino tenga una motocicleta ruidoso –
I’m bothered that my neighbour has a noisy motorcycle
¡Que te diviertas! – Have fun! ([I hope] that you have
a good time!)
Ojalá llegue a tiempo – I hope he arrives on time
Note: if subjects are the same then use infinitive:
Me preocupa que llegar tarde – I worry that I’m late
- Orders/necessity, many imperatives
Te ordeno que limpies este cuarto – I order that you clean
this room
Es importante que aprendas un idioma – It’s important that
you learn a language
Es necesario que lleves botas para la excursión – It is
necessary that you wear boots for the trip
¿Hace falta que vaya Juan? – Does John need to go? (Is it
necessary that John goes?)
Siente usted – Sit down (formal Ud.)
Siéntate – Sit down (informal tú)
No te sientes – Don’t sit down (informal tú .. negative
imperative)
No se siente – Don’t sit down (formal Ud. .. negative
imperative)
- Plans, uncompleted/future action
Cuando termines tu trabajo iremos al cine – When you finish
your work we’ll go to the cinema
Cuando veas a Carmen, dale recuerdos – When you see Carmen,
give her my regards
Cuando tenga más dinero iré a México – When I have more
money I’ll go to Mexico
Me voy a menos que venga – I’m leaving unless he comes
Es para que sus hijos vean películas en casa – It’s so that
his children can watch films at home
also for antes de que and sin que (before, without),
again, subjects must differ
- Possibility (Maybe/perhaps/Even if)
Quizás ella me llame esta noche – Perhaps/maybe she’ll call
me tonight
Es posible que pierdas el monedero so lo llevas así – You
might lose your purse if you carry it like that
Irregular verbs generally follow the same irregularities as the
present (indicative) tense.
The following verbs are very irregular in the subjunctive:
ser, estar,
dar, haber, saber, ir.
Mnemonic: DISHES (Dar, Ir, Saber, Haber, Estar, Ser)..
In English (from the Concise Oxford):
“subjunctive
■ (adjective) denoting a mood of verbs expressing what is
imagined or wished or possible.
■ (noun) a verb in the subjunctive mood.
Notes: The subjunctive form of a verb is typically used for what
is imagined, wished, or possible. It is usually the same as the ordinary
or indicative form of the verb except in the third person singular,
where the normal indicative -s ending is omitted: for example, one
should say the report recommends that he face the tribunal rather
than he faces… The subjunctive is also different from the indicative
when the verb ‘to be’ is used: for example, it is strictly correct
to say I wouldn’t try that if I were you rather than …if I was you.”