Subjunctive is a third verb mood of Spanish, in addition to indicative (for factual statements) and imperative (for commands). The subjunctive expresses, for example, uncertainty, belief, hopes and demands. In Spanish, the use of subjunctive is much more extensive than in English, and it is translated using indicative or modal verbs, depending on the context.

Formation of the Present Subjunctive

Note that the verbs ending in -er and -ir have the same endings.

Quizás tú trabajes en esa empresa el próximo año.

Maybe you‘ll work for that company next year.

Espero que no beban demasiado vino esta noche.

I hope that they don’t drink too much wine tonight.

Es importante que María busque una solución al problema.

It is important that Maria looks for a solution to the problem.

Es posible que lleguen tarde a la reunión.

It is possible that they arrive late for the meeting.

Quiero que organicéis la fiesta juntos.

I want you to organise the party together.

Queremos que cierres la puerta.

We want you to close the door.

Me gusta que los niños jueguen fuera.

I like that the children play outside.

Ojalá que vosotros durmáis bien esta noche.

May you sleep well tonight.

These verbs, too, have the same endings in present subjunctive:

-a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.

Es posible que tengan un perro.

It is possible that they have a dog.

Quizás conozcas a mi amigo Roberto.

Perhaps you know my friend Roberto.

Use of the Present Subjunctive

The subjunctive has many different uses in Spanish. The subjunctive is often used in subordinate clauses beginning with the word que (that), when the subject of the subordinate clause is different from the one in the main clause. However, you should be careful, as there are many rules and exceptions to them. This chapter presents the most common ones.

Verbs Expressing Influence and Emotion in a “That”-clause

The subjunctive is used in that-clauses when the indicative verb of the main clause expresses influence or feeling.

Examples of verbs that express influence include:

• decir (to command)
• pedir (to ask)
• dejar (to let, to allow)
• esperar (to hope)
• permitir (to allow)
• prohibir (to forbid)
• proponer (to suggest)
• querer (to want)
• preferir (to prefer)
• recomendar (to recommend)

Mi madre me recomienda que beba más agua.

My mother recommends that I drink more water.

Esperamos que aprendáis rápido el subjuntivo.

We hope you learn the subjunctive quickly.

No quiero que comas solo en la escuela.

I don’t want you to eat alone at school.

Examples of verbs that express emotion include:

• gustar (to like)
• encantar (to like very much)
• alegrarse de (to be happy)
• estar contento de (to be pleased)
• estar triste de (to be sad)
• sentir (to be sorry)

¿Te gusta que tu hermano viva tan cerca de ti?

Do you like that your brother lives so close to you?

Me alegro de que ustedes vayan a México.

I am happy that you are going to Mexico.

 

Formal Affirmative Commands and Negative Commands

The subjunctive is also used in formal affirmative commands (usted, ustedes) and in the negative commands of all persons:

Hable más despacio, por favor.

Speak more slowly, please.

¡No trabajes todo el día!

Don’t work all day!

No coman esos tomates.

Don’t eat those tomatoes.

 

More on affirmative and negative commands in chapter 3.10.

 

Greetings and wishes

The subjunctive is also used in common greetings beginning with the word que:

¡Que te mejores pronto!

Get well soon!

¡Que tengáis un buen viaje!

Have a nice trip!

The same applies to sentences expressing a wish that begin with the word ojalá (que):

Ojalá podamos vernos esta semana.

Hopefully we can see each other this week.

Ojalá que disfrutes de las vacaciones.

Hope you enjoy your holidays.

 

Certain conjunctions

In subordinate clauses beginning with the following conjunctions, the subjunctive is always used:

• para que (in order to)
• sin que (without that)
• a condición de que (on condition that)
• antes de que (before)

He comprado un coche para que lleguemos al trabajo más rápido.

I have bought a car so we can get to work faster.

Trabajamos todo el día sin que tengamos ningún problema.

We work all day long without having any problems.

Quiero limpiar mi casa antes de que vengas aquí.

I want to clean my house before you come here.

 

Structure es/está + adjective + que

With the structure es/está + adjective + que, the verb of the that-clause is usually in the subjunctive:

Es raro que yo coma tomates.

It is rare that I eat tomatoes.

Es comprensible que estéis nerviosos.

It is understandable that you are nervous.

When this structure is in negative form, the that-clause always uses the subjunctive:

¡No es posible que Lucas aprenda alemán en sólo tres días!

It’s not possible that Lucas would learn German in just three days!

In a positive sentence, when the adjective of the es/está + adjective + que structure is one of the following adjectives expressing certainty or fact, the that-clause always uses the indicative mood:

• seguro (sure)
• claro (clear)
• verdad (true)
• cierto (true)
• evidente (obvious)

Está claro que este ordenador funciona bien.

It is clear that this computer works well.

Es verdad que los gatos son animales.

It is true that cats are animals.

In a negative sentence, also with these adjectives, the verb of the that-clause is always in the subjunctive mood:

No es evidente que María y Pedro estén casados.

It is not evident that María and Pedro are married.

No está claro que la izquierda gane las elecciones.

It is not clear that the left will win the elections.

 

“Thinking Verbs”

With the following so-called “thinking verbs”, a subjunctive is used after the word que in a negative sentence and an indicative in a positive sentence:

• creer (to think, to believe)
• pensar (to think)
• parecer (to seem)
• estar seguro/-a de que (to be sure that)

No creo que puedan venir hoy.

I don’t believe they can come today.

Creo que puedes venir hoy.

I believe that you can come today.

Me parece que estáis listos.

It seems to me that you are ready.

No estás segura de que Antonio viva en Italia.

You are not sure that Antonio lives in Italy.

Note that with the structure parecer + adjective + que, the verb of the that-clause is in the subjunctive mood also in positive sentences:

Te parece raro que la batería esté agotada.

It seems strange to you that the battery would be empty.

Nos parece increíble que no hayas visitado España antes.

We find it incredible that you have not visited Spain before.

 

Adverbs Expressing Uncertainty

When the verb is preceded by an adverb expressing uncertainty, both the indicative and subjunctive moods of the verb can be used. With these adverbs, the subjunctive expresses greater uncertainty than the indicative.

• quizá(s) (maybe)
• tal vez (maybe)
• probablemente (probably)

Quizás estés en casa mañana.

Maybe you’ll be home tomorrow. (quite unlikely)

Tal vez estás en casa mañana.

Maybe you’ll be home tomorrow. (quite likely)

Probablemente voy al cine esta semana.

I’ll probably go to the cinema this week.

Note that the phrase a lo mejor (maybe, perhaps) is always accompanied by the indicative:

A lo mejor se opone a nuestra ideología.

Perhaps he opposes our ideology.

A lo mejor los perros duermen todo el día.

Maybe the dogs sleep all day.

 

Relative clauses

In relative clauses beginning with the word que (that) or donde (where), the subjunctive is used when the antecedent, i.e. the thing being referred to:

• is unknown
• is subject to a requirement
• its existence is denied

Busco un vino que esté delicioso.

I am looking for a wine that is delicious.

No hay nada que queramos hacer.

There is nothing we want to do.

When the antecedent of a relative clause is known and there is no requirement, the indicative is used:

¿Vas a la tienda que está en tu calle?

Do you go to the shop that is in your street?

María quiere ver la casa donde vive su amiga Lucia.

María wants to see the house where her friend Lucia lives.

 

Conjunctions Expressing Time

With the following conjunctions expressing time, the form of the verb depends on the period referred to:

• cuando (when)
• después de que (after)
• en cuanto (as soon as)
• hasta que (until)
• siempre que (whenever, every time)

When referring to the future, the subjunctive is used:

Queremos verte cuando estés en Finlandia.

We want to see you when you are in Finland.

Trabajaré aquí hasta que alguien me dé una oferta mejor.

I will work here until someone gives me a better offer.

¡Llámame en cuanto llegues a casa!

Call me as soon as you get home!

When talking about an event in general or referring to the past, the indicative is used. When referring to the past, the past tense is used, such as the preterite, imperfect, or past perfect.

Siempre que vengo a casa, me lavo las manos.

Every time I come home, I wash my hands.

Leyó un libro después de que habían hecho sus tareas.

He read a book after they had done their homework.

 

Conjunctions mientras and aunque

The subjunctive is used with the conjunction mientras when the meaning is “as long as”:

Tocaré la guitarra mientras viva.

I will play the guitar as long as I live.

Ustedes comen carne mientras puedan.

You eat meat as long as you can.

When mientras means “while”, the indicative is used:

Mientras tú estudias, nosotros vemos la televisión.

While you study, we watch television.

Estoy en casa con el perro mientras vais al cine.

I’m at home with the dog while you go to the movies.

The indicative is used with the conjunction aunque (although) when talking about a fact.

Van a dar un paseo aunque hace mucho frío.

They are going for a walk even though it is very cold.

Disfrutamos de la película aunque no oímos muy bien.

Nautimme elokuvasta, vaikka emme kuule kovin hyvin.

When aunque refers to an uncertain thing, the subjunctive is used:

Van a dar un paseo aunque haga mucho frío.

They are going for a walk even if it is very cold.

Quiero ir a la fiesta esta noche aunque nadie venga conmigo.

I want to go to the party tonight even if nobody comes with me.

 

Imperfect Subjunctive

The subjunctive also has an imperfect form, which is most often translated using the past simple, past perfect, or conditional in English, depending on the context. The stem of the imperfect subjunctive is formed from the preterite 3rd person plural form by removing the -ron at the end:

The ending -ra or -se is added to the stem. These are alternatives to each other, although the -ra ending is used more often. The ending is also followed by the personal identifier (-s, -mos, -is, -n). Note that an accent mark is added in the 1st person plural forms:

The imperfect subjunctive is used instead of the present if the verb in the main clause is in past tense (preterite, imperfect, past perfect) or conditional:

Me sorprendió que él hablara tan bien español.

I was surprised that he spoke Spanish so well.

Era importante que ellos estudiaran para el examen.

It was important for them to study for the exam.

Había esperado que llegaras temprano.

I had expected that you would arrive early.

Preferiría que no hablaras tan alto.

I’d prefer it if you didn’t speak so loudly.

 

The imperfect subjunctive is also used in conditional clauses that begin with the conjunction si (if), similarly to English past simple:

Ellos comprarían la casa si estuviera en mejor condición.

They would buy the house if it were in better condition.

Si tuviéramos más dinero, viajaríamos más a menudo.

If we had more money, we would travel more often.