Spanish: The Subjunctive
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 1 Reviewed June 2008
Spanish: The Subjunctive
You can navigate to specific sections of this handout by clicking the links below.
Present Subjunctive: pg. 1
Spelling Changes in the Subjunctive: pg. 1
Subjunctive and Express Wishes and Hope: pg. 3
Subjunctive to Express Doubt: pg. 4
Expressing Feelings, Emotions, and Opinions: pg. 5
The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses: pg. 6
The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses: pg. 7
Imperfect Subjunctive: pg. 8
Present Perfect Subjunctive: pg. 9
Pluperfect Subjunctive: pg. 9
Subjunctive Practice: pg. 10
Present Subjunctive
-AR -ER/-IR
yo -e yo -a
tú -es tú -as
él/ella/Ud. -e él/ella/Ud. -a
nosotros -emos nosotros -amos
vosotros -éis vosotros -áis
ellos/ellas/Uds. -en ellos/ellas/Uds. -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, conozcáis,
conozcan
Decir (
to say, to tell
)- diga, digas, diga, digamos, digáis, digan
Poner (
to put, to place
)- ponga, pongas, ponga, pongamos, pongáis, pongan
• However, the following irregular present subjunctive verbs do not have the same irregularity as the
present tense “yo” forms:
Spanish: The Subjunctive
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 2 Reviewed June 2008
Dar (
to give, to hand
)- dé, des, dé, demos, deis, den
Estar (
to be
)- esté, estés, esté, estemos, estéis, estén
Ir (
to go
)- vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayan
Saber (
to know, to know how
)- sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan
Ser (
to be
)- sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean
• Stem-changing
-AR
and
-ER
verbs maintain the stem-change in the subjunctive.
Entender (
to understand
)- entienda, entiendas, entienda, entendamos,
entendáis, entiendan
Pensar (
to think
)- piense, pienses, piense, pensemos, penséis, 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, durmáis, duerman
Preferir (
to prefer
)- prefiera, prefieras, prefiera, prefiramos, prefiráis, prefieran
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 3 Spanish: The Subjunctive
Subjunctive to Express Wishes and Hope
Verbs of Influence Impersonal Expressions
Esperar que- to hope that Es aconsejable que- it’s advisable that
Insistir en que- to insist that Es buena/mala idea que- it’s a good/bad idea that
Preferir que- to prefer that Es bueno/malo que- it’s good/bad that
Querer que- to want that Es importante que- it’s important that
Aconsejar que- to advise that Es mejor que- it’s better that
Exigir que- to demand that Es necesario que- it’s necessary that
Desear que- to wish that Es preciso que- it’s necessary that
Prohibir que- to prohibit that Es preferible que- it’s preferable that
Necesitar que- to need that
Recomendar que- to recommend 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:
S
1
V
1
que S
2
V
2
o Ella quiere que yo haga la cama.
S
1
V
1
que S
2
V
2
o Tu madre quiere que tú saques la basura.
S
1
V
1
que S
2
V
2
• 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 prohíbe dormir durante la clase. (no specific subject addressed)
o El profesor prohíbe que nosotros durmamos durante la clase. (specific
subject)
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 4 Spanish: The Subjunctive
Subjunctive to Express Doubt
Expressions of Doubt Expressions of Certainty
Dudar que- to doubt that No dudar que- to not doubt that
Es dudoso que- it is doubtful that Estar seguro de que- to be certain that
Es improbable que- it’s unlikely that Creer que- to think that
Es incierto que- it’s uncertain that No negar que- to not deny that
Es posible que- it’s possible that Es verdad que- it’s true that
No creer que- to not believe that Es obvio que- it’s obvious that
No es cierto que- it’s not certain that Es cierto que- it’s certain that
No estar seguro de que- to not be sure that Es seguro que- it’s certain that
No pensar que- to not think that Es evidente que- it’s evident that
Negar que- to deny that No cabe duda de que- there is no doubt that
No es verdad que- it’s not true that Está claro que- it’s clear that
No es cierto que- it’s not certain that
No es evidente que- it’s not evident that
No es obvio que- it’s not obvious 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 elección.
• The expressions
tal vez
and
quizá(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 tú tengas la gripe.
o Quizás 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 está de buen humor.
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 5 Spanish: The Subjunctive
Expressing Feelings, Emotions, and Opinions
Verbs of Emotions Impersonal Expressions
Alegrarse de que- to be glad that Es bueno/malo que- it’s good/bad that
Molestar que- to be bothered that Es fantástico que- it’s fantastic that
Sentir que- to be sorry that Es terrible que- it’s terrible that
Temer que- to fear that Es importante que- it’s important that
Tener miedo de que- to be afraid that Es lamentable que- it’s regrettable that
Lamentar que- to lament, to be sorry that Es maravilloso que- it’s marvelous that
Encantar que- to delight, to love that Es major que- it’s better that
Esperar que- to hope that Es necesario que- it’s necessary that
Estar contento de que- to be glad that Ojalá que- I hope that
Estar triste de que- to be sad that Es una lástima que- it’s a shame that
Gustar que- to like that Es una pena que- it’s a shame that
Alegrarle que- to be glad that Es triste que- it’s sad that
Darle pena que- to feel sorry that Es horrible que- it’s horrible that
Molestarle que- to be bothered that Es raro que- it’s strange that
Sorprenderle que- to be surprised that Es una vergüenza que- it’s 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 tú 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 estén sanos.
o ¿Te molesta que yo fume en casa?
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 6 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 más práctica 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 ¿Dónde está la dependiente que me ayudó 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 dé las lecciones del violín.
• 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)
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 7 Spanish: The Subjunctive
The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses
Adverbial Conjunctions Expressing Pending Actions
con tal (de) que- provided that antes (de) que- before a menos que- unless
para que- so that sin que- without
• 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 niños.
o Llámame antes de que Juan salga de tu casa.
Adverbial Conjunctions Expressing Future Events
aunque- although, even though, even if en cuanto- as soon as como- as, how, however
hasta que- until cuando- when mientras- while
después de que- after según- according to, as donde- where, wherever
tan pronto como- as soon as
• 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 película cuando su novio llegue a casa.
o Él quiere trabajar en cuanto se gradúe.
• 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 días en cuanto termino mi tarea.
o La maestra da un examen después de que terminamos cada capítulo.
• Use the subjunctive with
como
,
donde,
según,
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 según dice la receta.
Cook the paella according to what the recipe says.
o Cocina la paella según diga la receta.
Cook the paella according to whatever the recipe says.
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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:
HABLAR
COMER
ESTAR
(hablaron)
(comieron)
(estuvieron)
yo
hablara
comiera
estuviera
tú
hablaras
comieras
estuvieras
él/ella/Ud.
hablara
comiera
estuviera
nosotros
habláramos
comiéramos
estuviéramos
vosotros
hablarais
comierais
estuvierais
ellos/ellas/Uds.
hablaran
comieran
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 Dudábamos 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 niño come como si estuviera muriendo de hambre.
The boy eats as if he were dying of hunger.
o El perro se escondía 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, llegarías a casa antes de las cinco.
If you were to leave early, you would get home before five.
o Si limpiáramos nuestra casa más, no tendríamos tantas cucarachas.
If we were to clean our house more, we wouldn’t have so many roaches.
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Present Perfect Subjunctive
The present perfect subjunctive is formed by using the present subjunctive form of the verb
haber
+ a past
participle.
yo haya
tú hayas -ado (-AR verbs)
él/ella/Ud. haya +
nosotros hayamos -ido (-ER/-IR verbs)
vosotros hayáis
ellos/ellas/Uds. hayan
• 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 país.
I am surprised that the United States has sent medicines to that country.
o Espero que María haya traído la receta.
I hope that María has brought the recipe.
Pluperfect Subjunctive
yo hubiera
tú hubieras -ado (-AR verbs)
él/ella/Ud. hubiera +
nosotros hubiéramos -ido (-ER/-IR verbs)
vosotros hubierais
ellos/ellas/Uds. hubieran
• 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 Tenía miedo que tú hubieras perdido tu pasaporte.
I was afraid that you had/would have lost your passport.
o Nos molestó que la tienda hubiera cerrado antes de las nueve.
It bothered us that the store had closed before nine.
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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
competición.
4. Es cierto que el subjuntivo _____________ [ser] difícil.
5. No dudo que Uds. ______________ [tener] muchos exámenes.
6. ¿Qué prefiere Ud. que yo ______________ [leer]?
7. ¡No quiero que _______________ [ir - tú] sin mí!
8. ¡Qué bueno que ella ________________ [buscar] oportunidades de practicar el español!
9. Dudamos que él ________________ [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] así.
13. Espero que _______________ [estar - tú] conmigo siempre.
14. Pero no es verdad que nunca _________________ [hacer] frío en México.
15. Espero que _____ _______________ [mejorarse - tú] 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. Hágame el favor de llamarme cuando Ud. __________________ [terminar].
2. Tú y yo _____ ________________ (divertirse) si _________________ [ir] al gimnasio.
3. Los dejamos en paz a menos que Uds. _________________ [hacer] demasiado ruido.
4. Mi amiga siempre me llama cuando _________________ [volver] a casa.
5. El profesor quiere que ________________ [llegar - nosotros] antes de que
________________ [comenzar] la clase.
6. Julia tenía alergias y por eso usaba un jabón que no ____________ [tener] perfume.
7. El reportero no encontró nada que ______________ [explicar] la causa del incendio.
8. Yo tenía ganas de comer en un restaurante que ______________ [servir] churros.
9. Encontramos al chófer que ______________ [conocer] las calles bien.
10. Ellos no ______________ [poder] tener una barbacoa si _______________ [llover].
11. Si Juan ______________ [encontrar] una botella la _________________ [reciclar].
12. No te cases con Pedro a menos que lo _________________ [querer] locamente.
13. Cuando Ud. ________________ (venir) a visitarme anoche, ya estaba dormida.
14. Van a divorciarse a menos que ________________ [resolver] sus problemas.
15. El bebé dejará de llorar en cuanto ________________ [ver] a su madre.
Provided by the Academic Center for Excellence 11 Spanish: The Subjunctive
Answers
Exercise A
1. sepan
2. explique
3. salgan
4. es
5. tienen
6. lea
7. vayas
8. busque
9. pueda
10. olvide
11. duele
12. nos vistamos
13. estés
14. haga
15. te mejores
Exercise B
1. termine
2. nos divertiríamos, fuéramos
3. hagan
4. vuelve
5. lleguemos, comience
6. tenía
7. explicara
8. sirviera
9. conocía
10. podrían, lloviera
11. encontrara, reciclaría
12. quieras
13. vino
14. resuelvan
15. vea
These exercises were obtained from http://www.usna.edu/LangStudy/spanish_subjunctive.html and
http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/exercises/subj_imp.html.