The subjunctive form is an important element of Spanish grammar that we employ to express wishes, doubts, feelings, and hypothetical situations. While it might appear daunting at first, when you use the proper methodology and get ample practice, you will find it becomes second nature.
In this tutorial, we will learn the most essential ideas and uses of the subjunctive form. We’ll also provide you with a series of exercises to consolidate your learning and build your confidence. These exercises will cover all types of situations and contexts so that you get an even-handed view of when and how to use the subjunctive appropriately.
Let’s begin and start exploring the fascinating realm of the Spanish subjunctive!
The Subjunctive form explanation
The subjunctive form is used to express wishes, doubts, emotions, possibilities, and hypothetical situations. It’s a way to talk about things that are not certain or are subjective.
In English, we sometimes say things like:
“I suggest that he go to the doctor.”
“It’s important that she be on time.”
Spanish uses the subjunctive form in the same way — but more often and more clearly than English.
Understanding the Structure
The subjunctive is not usually used on its own — it depends on another verb or idea that expresses emotion, doubt, desire, request, etc. To use the subjunctive form correctly, we need a specific sentence structure.
The main clause expresses the speaker’s intention and contains two parts: a subject (usually a personal pronoun) and a verb conjugated in the indicative mood. Then, we add the subordinating conjunction “que,” followed by the subordinate clause, which includes a different subject, a verb conjugated in the subjunctive form, and any necessary complements. In the following chart, the intentions in the main clause are displayed and expressed through specific verbs (which must be conjugated) or fixed expressions.
| 1. Wishes & Wants: Querer – to want Desear – to wish Esperar – to hope Necesitar – to need Preferir – to prefer | 2. Emotions alegrarse de que – to be happy (that) temer que – to fear (that) gustar que – to like (that) molestar que – to be annoyed (that) sorprender que – to be surprised (that) sentir que – to feel sorry/regret (that) lamentar que – to regret (that) tener miedo de que – to be afraid (that) |
| 3. Impersonal Expressions Es importante que – It’s important that Es necesario que – It’s necessary that Es bueno/malo que – It’s good/bad that Es posible que – It’s possible that Es una lástima que – It’s a shame that No es cierto que – It’s not certain that Es raro que – It’s strange that | 4. Requests & Recommendations pedir que – to ask/request (that) decir que – to tell (someone to do something) mandar que – to order (that) rogar que – to beg (that) suplicar que – to plead (that) exigir que – to demand (that) recomendar que – to recommend (that) aconsejar que – to advise (that) proponer que – to propose (that) sugerir que – to suggest (that) permitir que – to allow (that) prohibir que – to forbid (that) |
| 5. Doubt or Denial dudar que – to doubt (that) negar que – to deny (that) no creer que – to not believe (that) no pensar que – to not think (that) no estar seguro de que – to not be sure (that) | 6. Ojalá (Hopefully) Ojalá |
Using the subjunctive with regular verbs
We need to know the conjugation for verbs to use the subjunctive form. The following chart shows the endings for regular verbs.
Spanish Subjunctive Practice
Complete each sentence by writing the correct form of the verb in subjunctive form . All verbs are regular and should be conjugated according to the subject provided.
Now, unscramble the words in each group to form a complete sentence in Spanish using the subjunctive. Each sentence includes a main clause that expresses a wish, emotion, request, doubt, or impersonal expression. After the word “que”, the subordinate clause should include a verb in the subjunctive form. Pay attention to subject-verb agreement and correct word order.
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