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What is the Spanish Present Subjunctive?
The Spanish present subjunctive (presente de subjuntivo) is a mood used to express doubt, emotion, desire, possibility, and hypothetical situations. Unlike the indicative mood which states facts, the subjunctive expresses subjective attitudes and uncertain events.
The subjunctive is one of the most challenging aspects of Spanish grammar, but mastering it is essential for advanced fluency.
Examples
Quiero que vengas conmigo.
I want you to come with me.
Es posible que llueva mañana.
It's possible that it will rain tomorrow.
Me alegra que estés aquí.
I'm glad that you're here.
Formation of the Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is formed by taking the yo form of the present indicative, dropping the -o, and adding subjunctive endings.
Regular -AR Verbs
For -ar verbs, add -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en:
Hablar - Present Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | hable | I speak |
| tú | hables | you speak |
| él/ella/usted | hable | he/she/you speak |
| nosotros | hablemos | we speak |
| vosotros | habléis | you all speak |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | hablen | they/you all speak |
Regular -ER/-IR Verbs
For -er and -ir verbs, add -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an:
Comer - Present Subjunctive
| Pronoun | Conjugation | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | coma | I eat |
| tú | comas | you eat |
| él/ella/usted | coma | he/she/you eat |
| nosotros | comamos | we eat |
| vosotros | comáis | you all eat |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | coman | they/you all eat |
Irregular Verbs
Some common irregular subjunctive forms:
ser → sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean
to be
estar → esté, estés, esté, estemos, estéis, estén
to be
ir → vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayan
to go
saber → sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan
to know
Uses of the Present Subjunctive
The present subjunctive is used in various contexts, often introduced by "que".
Expressing Desire and Emotion
Used after verbs expressing desire, emotion, or preference:
Quiero que estudies más.
I want you to study more.
Me alegra que vengas a la fiesta.
I'm happy that you're coming to the party.
Espero que tengas suerte.
I hope you have luck.
Expressing Doubt and Uncertainty
Used after expressions of doubt, uncertainty, or denial:
Dudo que sea verdad.
I doubt that it's true.
No creo que llueva hoy.
I don't think it will rain today.
Es posible que lleguen tarde.
It's possible they'll arrive late.
Impersonal Expressions
Used after impersonal expressions of opinion, necessity, or judgment:
Es importante que hables español.
It's important that you speak Spanish.
Es necesario que estudies.
It's necessary that you study.
Es mejor que vayamos temprano.
It's better that we go early.
Common Subjunctive Triggers
Key words and phrases that trigger the subjunctive mood.
Examples
Verbs of emotion: alegrarse, temer, sentir
Me alegra que estés bien.
Verbs of desire: querer, desear, preferir
Quiero que vengas conmigo.
Expressions of doubt: dudar, no creer
Dudo que sea cierto.
Impersonal expressions: es importante, es necesario
Es importante que sepas esto.