✨ Presente de Subjuntivo ✨
Master the Mood of Doubt, Emotion, and Wishes!
Before diving into Spanish, let's recognise something important: English also has a subjunctive mood! We just don't use it as much, and you might not have realised it existed. Look at these examples:
✓ "If I were rich..." (not "was", this is subjunctive!)
✓ "I suggest that he go home." (not "goes")
✓ "It's important that she be there." (not "is")
✓ "God save the King!" (not "saves")
✓ "I wish it were Friday." (not "was")
Notice how the verb form changes slightly? That's the subjunctive at work in English! In Spanish, however, the subjunctive is far more common and has distinct conjugations that you must learn. Whilst English subjunctive has mostly faded away, Spanish subjunctive is alive and essential!
Spanish has two main moods that work together. Understanding when to use each one is crucial:
The Mood of Certainty
✓ Facts
✓ Reality
✓ Concrete information
✓ Objective truth
"Él está aquí."
(He is here - it's a fact)
The Mood of Uncertainty
✓ Wishes & desires
✓ Doubts & possibilities
✓ Emotions & reactions
✓ Subjective opinions
"Espero que él esté aquí."
(I hope he is here - uncertain)
Key Principle:
The Subjunctive is always triggered by something: a verb, conjunction, or expression that creates uncertainty, emotion, or influence. You can't just randomly use the subjunctive, it needs a trigger!
Why This Power Matters
The Presente de Subjuntivo is one of the most frequently used grammatical structures in Spanish. Native speakers use it dozens of times every day to express hopes, doubts, recommendations, emotions, and possibilities. Without it, you simply cannot express yourself naturally in Spanish. It's tested in GCSE, A-Level, and all Spanish proficiency exams. Mastering this mood will transform your Spanish from intermediate to advance!
Here's where it gets interesting! To form the Presente de Subjuntivo for regular verbs, you take the YO form of the present indicative, remove the -o, and add the "opposite" endings. What does "opposite" mean? Simple:
-AR verbs (normally use -a endings) → use -E endings in subjunctive
-ER/-IR verbs (normally use -e endings) → use -A endings in subjunctive
bailo (I dance)
como (I eat)
baile ("that" I dance)
coma ("that" I eat)
1️⃣ Take the Infinitive form - Verbs ending in -ar, -er, -ir
2️⃣ Remove the -ar, -er, -ir
3️⃣ Add the "opposite" endings from the Presente de Indicativo
Example with HABLAR:
Yo hablo (indicativo) → Remove -ar from the Infinitive → habl- → Add -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en
| Pronombre | BAILAR (to dance) | COMER (to eat) | VIVIR (to live) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | baile | coma | viva |
| Tú | bailes | comas | vivas |
| Él / Ella / Usted | baile | coma | viva |
| Nosotros/as | bailemos | comamos | vivamos |
| Vosotros/as | bailéis | comáis | viváis |
| Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes | bailen | coman | vivan |
Good news! Many "irregular" verbs in the subjunctive aren't truly irregular, they follow the same "yo form rule". If a verb is irregular in the YO form of the present indicative, that irregularity carries over to ALL forms of the present subjunctive!
These verbs are only irregular in the YO form of the indicative. Since the subjunctive stems from the YO form, the irregularity stays! Just remember: yo form → remove -o → add opposite endings.
HACER (to do/make)
Indicativo: yo hago (irregular) → Subjuntivo stem: hag-
Remember the "boot verbs" from the indicative? They're back! The stem changes follow the same pattern: ALL forms change except nosotros and vosotros. However, there's one special group: -IR verbs with stem changes also change nosotros/vosotros forms in the subjunctive!
E → IE (example: QUERER = To want)
O → UE (example: PODER = Can/To be able to)
E → I (example: PEDIR = To ask for) ⚠️ SPECIAL!
⚠️ All -IR verbs with E→I changes have an extra twist: nosotros/vosotros ALSO change (e→i)!
DORMIR (to sleep) - Super Special! O→UE + U
⚠️ DORMIR and MORIR have TWO stem changes: O→UE in most forms, and O→U in nosotros/vosotros!
Only SIX verbs in Spanish have completely irregular stems in the subjunctive. You must memorise these! Luckily, the endings are still regular.
SER (to be - permanent)
Stem: SE-
ESTAR (to be - temporary)
Stem: EST- (careful accent marks!)
IR (to go)
Stem: VAY-
HABER (there is/are)
Stem: HAY-
SABER (to know)
Stem: SEP-
DAR (to give)
Stem: D- (uses -ER endings!)
When you express a desire or wish for someone else to do something, use the subjunctive:
Quiero que tú vengas a la fiesta.
(I want you to come to the party.)
Espero que tengas un buen día.
(I hope you have a good day.)
When you express an emotion about a situation, use the subjunctive:
Me alegra que estés aquí.
(I'm glad you're here.)
Es una pena que no puedas venir.
(It's a shame you can't come.)
When you doubt something or deny it, use the subjunctive:
Dudo que él sepa la respuesta.
(I doubt he knows the answer.)
No creo que llueva mañana.
(I don't think it'll rain tomorrow.)
When you tell, ask, or recommend someone to do something, use the subjunctive:
Te pido que me ayudes.
(I'm asking you to help me.)
El médico recomienda que hagas ejercicio.
(The doctor recommends you exercise.)
*Note: "Decir" uses subjunctive when it's a command, but indicative when it's just information!
Most impersonal expressions trigger the subjunctive (except those expressing certainty):
Es importante que estudies.
(It's important that you study.)
Es posible que venga tarde.
(It's possible he'll come late.)
When referring to something indefinite or non-existent, use the subjunctive:
Busco un hotel que sea barato.
(I'm looking for a hotel that's cheap. - don't know if it exists.)
No hay nadie que hable chino.
(There's no one who speaks Chinese.)
Certain conjunctions trigger the subjunctive when the action hasn't happened yet:
Te llamaré cuando llegue.
(I'll ring you when I arrive. - hasn't happened yet.)
Aunque llueva, iré al parque.
(Even if it rains, I'll go to the park.)
Indicativo vs Subjuntivo - Side by Side
Understanding when to use each mood is crucial. Here are direct comparisons:
Sé que Juan está enfermo. = I know Juan is ill. (It's a fact)
Dudo que Juan esté enfermo. = I doubt Juan is ill. (I'm not sure)
Dice que viene mañana. = He says he's coming tomorrow. (Just informing)
Dice que vengamos mañana. = He says (tells us) to come tomorrow. (Command)
Conozco a alguien que habla japonés. = I know someone who speaks Japanese. (This person exists)
Busco a alguien que hable japonés. = I'm looking for someone who speaks Japanese. (Don't know if they exist)
Siempre la llamaba cuando llegaba a casa. = I always used to ring her when I got home. (Repeated past action)
La llamaré cuando llegue a casa. = I'll ring her when I get home. (Future, uncertain)
Use INDICATIVO when: stating facts, certainty, completed actions, or reality
Use SUBJUNTIVO when: expressing wishes, emotions, doubts, recommendations, or possibilities
Remember: If there's a WEDDING trigger word, use subjunctive!