Mastering How to Use the Subjunctive in Spanish
In this post, we’ll learn how to use the subjunctive in Spanish, focusing on the present tense. If you’re not sure how to form the subjunctive, check out this post. If you are comfortable with forming the subjunctive, let’s cover when you should use it.
The first thing to know about the subjunctive is that it’s used in dependent (or subordinate) clauses, almost always introduced by que. A clause in the subjunctive has a “trigger,” in other words, something in the main clause causes the subjunctive to be necessary in the que clause. These triggers fall into a few different categories, but they tend to focus on a subjective wish, desire, doubt, or demand.
| Main Clause (indicative) + trigger | que | Dependent Clause (subjunctive) [wish, desire, doubt, demand…] |
In this post we’ll break all of that down into bite-sized pieces so you can take it all in. First, we’ll define what exactly the Spanish subjunctive is compared to the “regular old” indicative. Next, we’ll look at several typical subjunctive triggers. We’ll start with wishing, desiring, and requesting. Then, we’ll turn to commanding, demanding, and allowing. Next, we’ll move on to suggesting, advising, and proposing. After that we’ll look at doubting, denying, and being uncertain. After that we’ll see how the subjunctive can be used when a person is expressing a subjective opinion about something. Then, we’ll see several impersonal expressions that trigger the subjunctive. Finally, we’ll look at a few phrases and conjunctions that are followed by the subjunctive.
What is the Subjunctive?
When you speak about facts or reality, you use the indicative mood. The indicative indicates something about the real world. By contrast, the subjunctive mood is used when a speaker wants to express uncertainty, wishes, emotions, doubts, demands, or similar things that aren’t necessarily true. The subjunctive is also used to express a situation that is true from a subjective viewpoint. That is, there may be some fact that you feel subjectively is great, or terrible, or surprising, or a shame, and so on. If the indicative conveys facts about the real world, the subjunctive conveys attitudes or subjective viewpoints.
Believe it or not, there is a subjunctive in English. It’s very limited compared to Spanish, and it sounds a bit formal, but it does exist. Compare these two English examples:
- You are always on time.
This is the indicative. It uses the regular old verb are. It is stating a fact. - It is essential that you be on time.
The underlined that clause is the subjunctive. It uses the form be instead of are, because it isn’t expressing a fact, but rather a wish or a demand or a requirement that may or may not be true.
If you keep this in mind, you’ll understand how the subjunctive is used in Spanish. The major difference between English and Spanish is that the subjunctive in Spanish is much more common, so it’s used in far more circumstances. But you can always understand why it’s used if you come back to this pair of sentences in English.
Wishing, Desiring, & Requesting
First, let’s look at wishing, desiring, or requesting things. When you’re expressing a wish, desire, or request, you use the subjunctive. Triggers that fit into this category include:
- querer que… to want that…, to want (someone) to…
- desear que… to desire that
- esperar que… to hope that…
- pedir que… to ask that…, to ask (someone) to…
- necesitar que… to need that…, to need (someone) to…
- preferir que… to prefer that…
- rogar que… to request that, to beg that…
- evitar que… to avoid (a situation where)…
If you think about a sentence like “I prefer that they arrive a little bit early,” the situation where they’re arriving a little bit early may or may not be a fact. Your preference doesn’t necessarily make it true, so you use the subjunctive.
- Quiero que vengas a la fiesta.
I want you to come to the party. - No quiero que vayas solo.
I don’t want you to go alone. - Espero que no llueva.
I hope it doesn’t rain. - Prefiero que termines el trabajo hoy.
I prefer that/I’d rather you finish the work today.
Remember that if the subject of the main clause and the subject of the thing you want or prefer are the same, you can use an infinitive.
- Quiero venir a la festa.
I want to come to the party. - Prefiero terminar el trabajo hoy.
I prefer to finish the work today.
Commanding, Demanding, and Allowing
Next, let’s look at triggers that express commanding, demanding, or allowing. If you’re expressing a situation that isn’t a fact, but is rather a command, a demand, an order, or something you permit, use the subjunctive. Common triggers are:
- mandar que… to order…
- hacer que… to make, force (someone) to…
- decir (a alguien) que… (to tell (someone) to)…
- exigir que… to demand that…
- insistir en que… to insist that…
- prohibir que… to forbid that…
- impedir que… to prevent (a situation where)…
- permitir que… to permit that/someone to…
- dejar que… to let someone…, to allow someone to…
Let’s see some examples.
- El médico hace que los pacientes esperen mucho tiempo.
The doctor makes the patients wait a long time. - La maestra exige que todos guarden los teléfonos celulares.
The teacher demands that everyone put away their cell phones. - Ella siempre me dice que me vaya.
She always tells me to go away. - La ley prohíbe que conduzcamos sin licencia.
The law prohibits us from driving with a license.
Suggesting, Advising, and Proposing
Next, let’s move on to suggesting, proposing, and advising. If you suggest something, or give someone advice, you’re suggesting something that may not necessarily be true. For that reason, Spanish uses the subjunctive with triggers such as:
- sugerir que… to suggest that
- aconsejar que… to advise that…
- recomendar que… to recommend that…
- proponer que… to propose that…
- invitar que… to invite (someone) to…
Here are some examples.
- Te sugiero que llames a la oficina por la mañana.
I suggest that you call the office in the morning. - El profesor aconseja a sus alumnos que estudien mucho.
The teacher advises his students to student hard. - Propongo que veamos la película en casa.
I propose that we watch the film at home.
Doubting, Denying, and Being Uncertain
Next we’ll look at doubting, denying, and being uncertain. If a verb indicates some sort of doubt or denial, it’s followed by the subjunctive. Triggers like this include:
- dudar que… to doubt that…
- no creer que… to not think that…
- no estar seguro que… to not be sure that…
- negar que… to deny that…
- aparecer que… to appear, seem that
- buscar… que… to look for (someone/something) that…
(subjunctive only when you’re not certain that the person or thing exists)
Let’s see some examples
- Dudo que ella sepa la respuesta.
I doubt that she knows the answer. - No creo que estén en casa.
I don’t think they’re home. - El sospechoso niega que sea culpable.
The suspect denies that he’s guilty.
Subjunctive or Indicative?
Now let’s compare a few verbs that can take either the indicative or the subjunctive. The first is creer (to think/believe). If you think or believe something to be true, you use the indicative in the que clause.
- Creo que están en casa.
I think they’re home.
But if you don’t think or believe that something is true, you use creer in the negative followed by a que clause in the subjunctive.
- No creo que estén en casa.
I don’t think they’re home.
A similar pair is estar seguro que… (to be sure that) and no estar seguro que… (not to be sure that). In the affirmative, you use the indicative in the que clause, because if you’re sure of something, you’re saying that it’s reality. But if you’re not sure, you express that doubt by using the subjunctive in the que clause.
- Estoy segura de que su nombre es Clara.
I’m sure that her name is Clara. - No estoy segura de que su nombre sea Clara.
I’m not sure that her name is Clara.
Another verb worth looking at is buscar (to look for). If you are looking for someone or something that you know exists, for example a particular friend who speaks Spanish, the que clause is in the indicative:
- Estoy buscando a mi amigo que habla español.
I’m looking for my friend who speaks Spanish.
But now imagine that you’re in a place with a bunch of people you don’t know. You need someone who speaks Spanish, but you’re not sure whether such a person exists in the place where you are. In this case, you use the subjunctive in the que clause.
- Estoy buscando a alguien que hable español.
I’m looking for someone who speaks Spanish.
Feeling a Certain Way About
Now let’s look at situations where the subjunctive clause is true and really happening, but you’re expressing a particular feeling about it. In this case, the subjunctive emphasizes that your feelings on whatever it is that’s happening are subjective. Triggers for this type of use include:
- estar contento que… to be happy that…
- alegrarse que… to be happy that…
- estar triste que… to be sad that…
- detestar que… to hate that…
- gustar (a alguien) que… to like that…
- extrañarse que… to be amazed that…
- sorprenderse que… to be surprised that…
- molestar (a alguien) que… to be bothered that…
- sentir que… to be sorry that…
- lamentar que… to regret that…
- tener miedo que… to be afraid that…
- temer que… to fear that…
Here are some examples to show you how that works.
- Me alegra que tengas buenas noticias.
I’m happy that you have good news. - Lamento que no estés contenta.
I regret that you’re unhappy. - Me gusta que la habitación sea tan grande y soleada.
I like that the room is so large and sunny. - Me molesta que ella nunca conteste el teléfono.
It bothers be that she never answers the phone. - Me sorprende que los precios sean tan bajos.
It surprises me that the prices are so low. - A veces tengo miedo de que no me escuchen.
Sometimes I’m afraid that they don’t listen to me.
Impersonal Expressions of Uncertainty or Subjectivity
Finally, let’s look at impersonal expressions (es ADJECTIVE que) that require the subjunctive. These are all phrases that express some subjective appraisal of a situation, or a doubt, or one of the other subjunctive triggers that you’ve seen so far.
Subjective/Emotional Appraisal
All of these impersonal expressions express a subjective or emotional judgment of something:
- es importante/necesario… it’s important/necessary that…
- es esencial/fundamental que… it’s essential/critical that…
- es hora de que… it’s (high) time that/for…
- es bueno/malo que… it’s good/bad that…
- es mejor/peor/preferible que… it’s better/worse/preferable that…
- es maravilloso/horrible que… it’s wonderful/horrible that…
- es interesante/fascinante que… it’s interesting/fascinating that…
- es una lástima/una pena que… it’s a pity/a shame that…
- es conveniente/ útil que… it’s convenient/helpful that…
- es extraño/raro/increíble que… it’s strange/weird/incredible that…
If you use one of these impersonal expressions, you’re talking about a situation that is real and actually happening. But because you’re giving that situation a subjective appraisal, you use the subjunctive in the que clause. Here are some examples.
- Es importante que los estudiantes estudien para el examen.
It’s important that students study for the exam. - Es necesario que todos sean puntuales.
It’s necessary that everyone be on time. - Es útil que ella esté aquí.
It’s helpful that she’s here. - Es extraño que los pájaros no canten.
It’s strange that the birds aren’t singing.
Doubt or Uncertainty
Now let’s look at some impersonal expressions that show doubt or uncertainty.
- es posible/imposible que… it’s possible/impossible that…
- es dudoso que… it’s doubtful that…
- es probable/improbable que… it’s probable/improbable that…
- es discutible que… it’s debatable that…
Here are some examples:
- Es posible que esté trabajando ahora.
It’s possible that she’s working now. - Es imposible que ya estén en casa.
It’s imposible that they’re already home. - Es discutible que su segunda película sea buena.
It’s debatable that his second film is good.
Negative Impersonal Expressions
Some expressions take the indicative when they’re affirmative (es cierto que… it’s certain that…, es claro que… it’s clear that…). But when they’re used in the negative, they take the subjunctive because they express a situation that is doubtful or believed to be untrue.
- no es cierto/seguro que… it is not certain/sure that…
- no es claro/obvio/evidente que… it’s not clear/obvious/evident that…
- no es que… it’s not (the case) that…
- no es verdad que…/no es la verdad que… it is not true that…/it’s not the truth that…
- no es un hecho que… it’s not a given that…
Here are some examples.
- No es obvio que entiendan la pregunta.
It’s not obvious that they understand the question. - No es cierto que el candidato esté calificado.
It’s not certain that the candidate is qualified. - No es la verdad que son flojos.
It’s not true that they’re lazy. - No es un hecho que hablen inglés.
It’s not a given that they speak English.
Phrases and Conjunctions that Require the Subjunctive
Certain phrases and conjunctions trigger the subjunctive, because they refer to unrealized contingencies or purposes. Common examples are:
- para que… so that…
- a menos que… unless…
- en caso de que… in case…
- sin que… without…
- ojalá (que)… hopefully…
- quizás… maybe…
- más vale que… it’s better that…
- aunque… even if… (triggers the subjunctive if the outcome isn’t known)
Let’s see some examples.
- Paul está aprendiendo español para que él y su suegra puedan comunicarse.
Paul is learning Spanish so that he and his mother-in-law can communicate. - Quizás esta sea la dirección.
Maybe this is the address. - Es mejor que nos quedemos en casa esta noche.
It’s better that we stay in tonight. - Ojalá ganemos esta noche.
Hopefully we’ll win tonight.
There are also time conjunctions that trigger the subjunctive when they refer to a future (unrealized) event.
- cuando… when…
- hasta que… until…
- después de que… after…
- antes de que… before…
- tan pronto como… as soon as…
Here are some examples.
- Te avisaré cuando el profesor llegue.
I’ll let you know when the teacher arrives. - Te llamo antes de que tú salgas.
I’ll call you before you leave. - Tenemos que quedarnos hasta que el trabajo esté terminado.
We have to stay until the work is finished.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct subjunctive form of the verb. Then give the translations.
- Quiero que tú ______ (venir) a la reunión.
- Dudo que ellos ______ (tener) razón.
- Es importante que nosotros ______ (hacer) ejercicio.
- No creo que ella ______ (saber) la respuesta.
- Te llamaré cuando mi hermano ______ (llegar).
- Es importante que tú ______ (estudiar) todos los días.
- Ojalá nosotros ______ (tener) buen clima mañana.
- No creo que ellos ______ (venir) a la fiesta.
- Necesito un libro que ______ (explicar) bien la gramática.
- Me alegra que tú ______ (estar) aquí.
- Aunque ella no lo ______ (querer), iremos de todas formas.
- Prefiero que mis amigos me ______ (decir) la verdad.
- Busco a alguien que me ______ (poder) ayudar con matemáticas.
- Esperamos que tú ______ (hacer) un buen trabajo.
- Es posible que Marta ______ (necesitar) ayuda.
- No pienso que la película ______ (ser) aburrida.
- Dudo que ellos ______ (entender) la explicación.
- Tan pronto como Juan ______ (terminar) su tarea, saldremos.
- Me sorprende que tú no ______ (conocer) esa canción.
- Para que tú ______ (aprender) más rápido, practica todos los días.
- A menos que tú me ______ (ayudar), no podré hacerlo.
- Es mejor que ustedes ______ (comer) antes de salir.
- No hay nadie que ______ (saber) la respuesta correcta.
- Antes de que el profesor ______ (llegar), revisemos nuestras notas.
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Answers
- Quiero que tú vengas a la reunión.
- Dudo que ellos tengan razón.
- Es importante que nosotros hagamos ejercicio.
- No creo que ella sepa la respuesta.
- Te llamaré cuando mi hermano llegue.
- Es importante que tú estudies todos los días.
- Ojalá nosotros tengamos buen clima mañana.
- No creo que ellos vengan a la fiesta.
- Necesito un libro que explique bien la gramática.
- Me alegra que tú estés aquí.
- Aunque ella no lo quiera, iremos de todas formas.
- Prefiero que mis amigos me digan la verdad.
- Busco a alguien que me pueda ayudar con matemáticas.
- Esperamos que tú hagas un buen trabajo.
- Es posible que Marta necesite ayuda.
- No pienso que la película sea aburrida.
- Dudo que ellos entiendan la explicación.
- Tan pronto como Juan termine su tarea, saldremos.
- Me sorprende que tú no conozcas esa canción.
- Para que tú aprendas más rápido, practica todos los días.
- A menos que tú me ayudes, no podré hacerlo.
- Es mejor que ustedes coman antes de salir.
- No hay nadie que sepa la respuesta correcta.
- Antes de que el profesor llegue, revisemos nuestras notas.
Translations
- I want you to come to the meeting.
- I doubt that they are right.
- It’s important that we exercise.
- I don’t think she knows the answer.
- I’ll call you when my brother arrives.
- It’s important that you study every day.
- Hopefully, we’ll have good weather tomorrow.
- I don’t think they’ll come to the party.
- I need a book that explains grammar well.
- I’m glad that you’re here.
- Even if she doesn’t want to, we’ll go anyway.
- I prefer that my friends tell me the truth.
- I’m looking for someone who can help me with math.
- We hope that you do a good job.
- It’s possible that Marta needs help.
- I don’t think the movie is boring.
- I doubt that they understand the explanation.
- As soon as Juan finishes his homework, we’ll go out.
- I’m surprised that you don’t know that song.
- So that you learn faster, practice every day.
- Unless you help me, I won’t be able to do it.
- It’s better that you eat before going out.
- There’s no one who knows the correct answer.
- Before the teacher arrives, let’s review our notes.
