Spanish: The Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive
-AR
yo
t
l/ella/Ud.
nosotros
vosotros
ellos/ellas/Uds.

-ER/-IR
yo
t
l/ella/Ud.
nosotros
vosotros
ellos/ellas/Uds.

-e
-es
-e
-emos
-is
-en

-a
-as
-a
-amos
-is
-an

Spelling Changes in the Subjunctive

The irregular present subjunctive verbs usually have the same irregularity as the present tense yo
forms.
Conocer (to know)- conozca, conozcas, conozca, conozcamos, conozcis,
conozcan
Decir (to say, to tell)- diga, digas, diga, digamos, digis, digan
Poner (to put, to place)- ponga, pongas, ponga, pongamos, pongis, pongan

However, the following irregular present subjunctive verbs do not have the same irregularity as the
present tense yo forms:
Dar (to give, to hand)- d, des, d, demos, deis, den
Estar (to be)- est, ests, est, estemos, estis, estn
Ir (to go)- vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayis, vayan
Saber (to know, to know how)- sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepis, sepan
Ser (to be)- sea, seas, sea, seamos, seis, sean

Stem-changing -AR and -ER verbs maintain the stem-change in the subjunctive.
Entender (to understand)- entienda, entiendas, entienda, entendamos,
entendis, entiendan
Pensar (to think)- piense, pienses, piense, pensemos, pensis, piensen

Stem-changing -IR verbs maintain the same stem-change with an additional change in the
nosotros and vosotros forms.
Dormir (to sleep)- duerma, duermas, duerma, durmamos, durmis, duerman
Preferir (to prefer)- prefiera, prefieras, prefiera, prefiramos, prefiris, prefieran

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Subjunctive to Express Wishes and Hope

Verbs of Influence
Esperar que- to hope that
Insistir en que- to insist that
Preferir que- to prefer that
Querer que- to want that
Aconsejar que- to advise that
Exigir que- to demand that
Desear que- to wish that
Prohibir que- to prohibit that
Necesitar que- to need that
Recomendar que- to recommend that

Impersonal Expressions
Es aconsejable que- its advisable that
Es buena/mala idea que- its a good/bad idea that
Es bueno/malo que- its good/bad that
Es importante que- its important that
Es mejor que- its better that
Es necesario que- its necessary that
Es preciso que- its necessary that
Es preferible que- its preferable that

When using one of these verbs or impersonal expressions in the main clause of the sentence, the
subjunctive must follow in the dependent clause following que. Remember this format:
S1 V1 que S2 V2
o Ella quiere que yo haga la cama.
S1 V1 que S2 V2
o Tu madre quiere que t saques la basura.
S1 V1
que S2 V2

Notice that after the impersonal expressions, the infinitive of the verb is used when no subject is
addressed, but the subjunctive is used when the expression is directed towards a specific subject.
o Es necesario estudiar para sacar buenas notas. (no specific subject addressed)
o Es necesario que ustedes estudien para sacar buenas notas. (specific subject)

After the verbs of influence, the infinitive of the verb is used when no specific subject is addressed,
but the subjunctive is used when the verb is directed towards a specific subject.
o El profesor prohbe dormir durante la clase. (no specific subject addressed)
o El profesor prohbe que nosotros durmamos durante la clase. (specific
subject)

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Subjunctive to Express Doubt

Expressions of Doubt

Expressions of Certainty

Dudar que- to doubt that

Es dudoso que- it is doubtful that
Es improbable que- its unlikely that
Es incierto que- its uncertain that
Es posible que- its possible that
No creer que- to not believe that
No es cierto que- its not certain that
No estar seguro de que- to not be sure that
No pensar que- to not think that
Negar que- to deny that
No es verdad que- its not true that
No es cierto que- its not certain that
No es evidente que- its not evident that
No es obvio que- its not obvious that

No dudar que- to not doubt that

Estar seguro de que- to be certain that
Creer que- to think that
No negar que- to not deny that
Es verdad que- its true that
Es obvio que- its obvious that
Es cierto que- its certain that
Es seguro que- its certain that
Es evidente que- its evident that
No cabe duda de que- there is no doubt that
Est claro que- its clear that

When using the expressions of doubt in the main clause, use the subjunctive in the dependent
clause.
o No creo que haya comida suficiente para todos.
o Es imposible que ese candidato gane la eleccin.

The expressions tal vez and quiz(s) mean perhaps so they normally require the subjunctive.
Notice that these expressions do not require the que construction that is normally used in the
subjunctive.
o Tal vez t tengas la gripe.
o Quizs los estudiantes lleguen a tiempo.

However, when using the expressions of certainty in the main clause, use the indicative in the
dependent clause instead of the subjunctive.
o Es verdad que los pasajeros deben llegar temprano al aeropuerto.
o Es obvio que Elena no est de buen humor.

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Expressing Feelings, Emotions, and Opinions

Verbs of Emotions

Impersonal Expressions

Alegrarse de que- to be glad that

Molestar que- to be bothered that
Sentir que- to be sorry that
Temer que- to fear that
Tener miedo de que- to be afraid that
Lamentar que- to lament, to be sorry that
Encantar que- to delight, to love that
Esperar que- to hope that
Estar contento de que- to be glad that
Estar triste de que- to be sad that
Gustar que- to like that
Alegrarle que- to be glad that
Darle pena que- to feel sorry that
Molestarle que- to be bothered that
Sorprenderle que- to be surprised that

Es bueno/malo que- its good/bad that

Es fantstico que- its fantastic that
Es terrible que- its terrible that
Es importante que- its important that
Es lamentable que- its regrettable that
Es maravilloso que- its marvelous that
Es major que- its better that
Es necesario que- its necessary that
Ojal que- I hope that
Es una lstima que- its a shame that
Es una pena que- its a shame that
Es triste que- its sad that
Es horrible que- its horrible that
Es raro que- its strange that
Es una vergenza que- its a shame that

When using verbs or impersonal expressions of emotion in the main clause, use the subjunctive in
the dependent clause after que.
o Espero que t no me mientas.
o Es terrible que su hija tenga un cuarto desordenado.

When the verb gustar is used in the main clause, it must be in the singular form no matter what
the subject is. Other verbs that function similarly to gustar are alegrarle, darle pena,
molestarle, and sorprenderle.
o Nos alegra que los gatitos estn sanos.
o Te molesta que yo fume en casa?

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause modifies a noun in the main clause and is usually introduced by que. The
subjunctive is used in the adjective clause when referring to a person, place, or thing whose existence
is unknown or in question.
o Sabes un libro de texto que contenga ms prctica con el subjuntivo?
o Quiero ir a un restaurante que sierva comida tailandesa.

The subjunctive is also used when emphatically describing something that does not exist according to
the speaker.
o No hay ninguna persona que hable cinco idiomas.
o No puedo encontrar nadie que quiera ayudarme.

On the other hand, when the adjective clause describes something that is known to exist, then do not
use the subjunctive, but the indicative.
o Hay muchos hoteles en esta ciudad que tienen las piscinas.
o Dnde est la dependiente que me ayud la semana pasada?

Use the personal a when the verb refers to a person that is known to exist and follow it with the
indicative in the dependent clause. But when the verb refers to a person whose existence is
unknown, do not use the personal a and follow it with the subjunctive in the dependent clause.
o Prefiero a la peluquera que mi amiga me recomienda.
o Busco una persona que d las lecciones del violn.

Some times, you can use either the subjunctive or the indicative depending on how certain you are
about the issue.
o Hay alguien que puede prestarme dinero?
(not certain but assumes there may be someone who can loan money)
o Hay alguien que pueda prestarme dinero?
(not certain but doubts there is someone who can loan money)

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses

Adverbial Conjunctions Expressing Pending Actions
con tal (de) que- provided that
para que- so that

antes (de) que- before

sin que- without

a menos que- unless

When using these adverbial conjunctions in the dependent clause, use the subjunctive since they
describe pending/hypothetical actions that may not occur.
o Voy a la biblioteca con tal de que mi esposo pueda cuidar a los nios.
o Llmame antes de que Juan salga de tu casa.
Adverbial Conjunctions Expressing Future Events

aunque- although, even though, even if

hasta que- until
despus de que- after
tan pronto como- as soon as

en cuanto- as soon as
cuando- when
segn- according to, as

como- as, how, however

mientras- while
donde- where, wherever

Use the subjunctive after these adverbial conjunctions when the main clause expresses a future action
that has not yet occurred.
o Ella va a mirar la pelcula cuando su novio llegue a casa.
o l quiere trabajar en cuanto se grade.

Use the indicative with these adverbial conjunctions when they describe something that has taken
place, is taking place, or usually takes place.
o Yo leo un libro todos los das en cuanto termino mi tarea.
o La maestra da un examen despus de que terminamos cada captulo.

Use the subjunctive with como, donde, segn, and aunque when they refer to something
that is not regarded as fact. But when they refer to something definite, use the indicative.
o Cocina la paella segn dice la receta.
Cook the paella according to what the recipe says.
o Cocina la paella segn diga la receta.
Cook the paella according to whatever the recipe says.

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive
To form the imperfect subjunctive, start with the ellos/ellas/Uds. form of the preterit, drop the -on ending,
and add the following endings:

yo
t
l/ella/Ud.
nosotros
vosotros
ellos/ellas/Uds.

HABLAR
(hablaron)
hablara
hablaras
hablara
hablramos
hablarais
hablaran

COMER
(comieron)
comiera
comieras
comiera
comiramos
comierais
comieran

VIVIR
(vivieron)
viviera
vivieras
viviera
viviramos
vivierais
vivieran

ESTAR
(estuvieron)
estuviera
estuvieras
estuviera
estuviramos
estuvierais
estuvieran

Use the imperfect subjunctive in the dependent clause when the verb in the main clause is in the past
tense and the verb in the dependent clause refers to a past action or state.
o Dudbamos que ella quisiera asistir a la fiesta.
We doubted that she wanted to attend the party.
o Era triste que los bomberos se murieran en el incendio.
It was sad that the firefighters died in the fire.

Use the imperfect subjunctive after como si (as if, as though). In this case, the verb in the main
clause can be either present or past.
o El nio come como si estuviera muriendo de hambre.
The boy eats as if he were dying of hunger.
o El perro se esconda como si tuviera miedo de algo.
The dog hid as if he were scared of something.

Use the imperfect subjunctive in an if-clause since it describes something that is hypothetical.
Notice that the conditional tense is used in the main clause.
o Si salieras temprano, llegaras a casa antes de las cinco.
If you were to leave early, you would get home before five.
o Si limpiramos nuestra casa ms, no tendramos tantas cucarachas.
If we were to clean our house more, we wouldnt have so many roaches.

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Present Perfect Subjunctive

The present perfect subjunctive is formed by using the present subjunctive form of the verb haber + a past
participle.
yo
t
l/ella/Ud.
nosotros
vosotros
ellos/ellas/Uds.

haya
hayas
haya
hayamos
hayis
hayan

-ado (-AR verbs)

+
-ido (-ER/-IR verbs)

Use the present perfect subjunctive in the dependent clause when expressing feelings or emotions
about something that has already occurred.
o Me sorprende que los Estados Unidos hayan mandado medicamentos a
ese pas.
I am surprised that the United States has sent medicines to that country.
o Espero que Mara haya trado la receta.
I hope that Mara has brought the recipe.

Pluperfect Subjunctive
yo
t
l/ella/Ud.
nosotros
vosotros
ellos/ellas/Uds.

hubiera
hubieras
hubiera
+
hubiramos
hubierais
hubieran

-ado (-AR verbs)

-ido (-ER/-IR verbs)

Use the pluperfect subjunctive to correspond to the English words might have, would have, or
had + past participle in constructions which normally require the subjunctive.
o Tena miedo que t hubieras perdido tu pasaporte.
I was afraid that you had/would have lost your passport.
o Nos molest que la tienda hubiera cerrado antes de las nueve.
It bothered us that the store had closed before nine.

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Subjunctive Practice
Exercise A. Fill in the blank with the present form of subjunctive using the verb in brackets (**not all
sentences will require the subjunctive).
1. Es importante que Uds. _____________________ [saber] el vocabulario.
2. No creo que el libro de texto _________________ [explicar] bien el subjuntivo.
3. Tememos que nuestros rivales ____________________ [salir] mejor que nosotros en la
competicin.
4. Es cierto que el subjuntivo _____________ [ser] difcil.
5. No dudo que Uds. ______________ [tener] muchos exmenes.
6. Qu prefiere Ud. que yo ______________ [leer]?
7. No quiero que _______________ [ir - t] sin m!
8. Qu bueno que ella ________________ [buscar] oportunidades de practicar el espaol!
9. Dudamos que l ________________ [poder] haberlo hecho.
10. Le aconsejo que ________________ [olvidar] el asunto.
11. Es cierto que me ________________ [doler] mucho.
12. La Armada insiste en que ______ ______________________ [vestirse - nosotros] as.
13. Espero que _______________ [estar - t] conmigo siempre.
14. Pero no es verdad que nunca _________________ [hacer] fro en Mxico.
15. Espero que _____ _______________ [mejorarse - t] pronto.
Exercise B. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the subjunctive (may be in any form of the
subjunctive and not all sentences will require the subjunctive).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Hgame el favor de llamarme cuando Ud. __________________ [terminar].

T y yo _____ ________________ (divertirse) si _________________ [ir] al gimnasio.
Los dejamos en paz a menos que Uds. _________________ [hacer] demasiado ruido.
Mi amiga siempre me llama cuando _________________ [volver] a casa.
El profesor quiere que ________________ [llegar - nosotros] antes de que
________________ [comenzar] la clase.
Julia tena alergias y por eso usaba un jabn que no ____________ [tener] perfume.
El reportero no encontr nada que ______________ [explicar] la causa del incendio.
Yo tena ganas de comer en un restaurante que ______________ [servir] churros.
Encontramos al chfer que ______________ [conocer] las calles bien.
Ellos no ______________ [poder] tener una barbacoa si _______________ [llover].
Si Juan ______________ [encontrar] una botella la _________________ [reciclar].
No te cases con Pedro a menos que lo _________________ [querer] locamente.
Cuando Ud. ________________ (venir) a visitarme anoche, ya estaba dormida.
Van a divorciarse a menos que ________________ [resolver] sus problemas.
El beb dejar de llorar en cuanto ________________ [ver] a su madre.

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Spanish: The Subjunctive

Answers
Exercise A
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

sepan
explique
salgan
es
tienen
lea
vayas
busque
pueda
olvide
duele
nos vistamos
ests
haga
te mejores

Exercise B
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

termine
nos divertiramos, furamos
hagan
vuelve
lleguemos, comience
tena
explicara
sirviera
conoca
podran, lloviera
encontrara, reciclara
quieras
vino
resuelvan
vea

These exercises were obtained from [Link] and

[Link]

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Spanish: The Subjunctive