Spanish Grammar: Verbs
THE subjunctive MOOD DEFINED
There are three moods in Spanish as well as in English; namely, the indicative, the subjunctive, and the imperative.
THE INDICATIVE MOOD points out a thing as material or existing either affirmatively or negatively, and is based upon certainties or facts.
THE IMPERATIVE MOOD makes commands.
THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD expresses an attitude, and is subservient to, or contingent upon some leading or governing idea expressed in an independent clause of causation, doubt, desire, emotion, or uncertainty. The subjunctive is a secondary or dependent thought or idea, and is found in the dependent clause. The subjunctive never makes a direct statement, nor asks a direct question.
The subjunctive mood, which has only limited use in English, is used extensively in Spanish. Its most common use is in substantive clauses introduced by the conjunction que. As the word subjunctive itself suggests (from the Latin for subjoined), the subjunctive always depends upon another verb and denotes, not a fact, but a wish, an uncertainty, an expression of emotion, etc.
In general, therefore, the subjunctive is used when the speaker wishes to indicate that, in his opinion, something is either doubtful or impossible; for example, after expressions of doubt, uncertainty, desire, emotion, and the like.
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FORMATION OF THE Present SUBJUNCTIVE
First conjugation: The subjunctive is formed from the infinitive of all regular AR verbs, by dropping the final -o of the first person singular present indicative (the yo form), and adding the endings: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
HABLAR (to speak)
yo |
hable |
tú |
hables |
él, ella, usted |
hable |
nosotros, -as |
hablemos |
vosotros, -as |
habléis |
ellos, ellas; ustedes |
hablen |
Second conjugation: The subjunctive is formed from the infinitive of all regular ER verbs, by dropping the final -o of the first person singular present indicative (the yo form), and adding the endings: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
COMER (to eat)
yo |
coma |
tú |
comas |
él, ella; usted |
coma |
nosotros, -as |
comamos |
vosotros, -as |
comáis |
ellos, ellas; ustedes |
coman |
Third conjugation: The subjunctive is formed from the infinitive of all regular IR verbs, by dropping the final -o of the first person singular present indicative (the yo form), and adding the endings: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
VIVIR (to live)
yo |
viva |
tú |
vivas |
él, ella; usted |
viva |
nosotros, -as |
vivamos |
vosotros, -as |
viváis |
ellos, ellas; ustedes |
vivan |
NOTE: Just like in the present indicative, stem-changing verbs do not change their stems in the nosotros or vosotros forms in the subjunctive.
PENSAR (to think)
yo |
piense |
tú |
pienses |
él, ella; usted |
piense |
nosotros, -as |
pensemos |
vosotros, -as |
penséis |
ellos, ellas; ustedes |
piensen |
The following six irregular verbs should be memorized. The acronym DISHES can be used to help one memorize the six verbs.
| DAR | IR | SABER | HABER | ESTAR | SER |
| dé | vaya | sepa | haya | esté | sea |
| des | vayas | sepas | hayas | estés | seas |
| dé | vaya | sepa | haya | esté | sea |
| demos | vayamos | sepamos | hayamos | estemos | seamos |
| deis | vayáis | sepáis | hayáis | estéis | seáis |
| den | vayan | sepan | hayan | estén | sean |
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the Imperfect Subjunctive and other tenses
IMPERFECT -RA (After launching one of the following links, look for Subjunctive Tenses and then choose - Imperfect -RA)
See: |
hablar | |
See: |
comer | |
See: |
vivir |
IMPERFECT -SE (After launching one of the following links, look for Subjunctive Tenses and then choose - Imperfect -SE)
See: |
hablar | |
See: |
comer | |
See: |
vivir |
PLUPERFECT -RA (After launching one of the following links, look for Subjunctive Tenses and then choose - Pluperfect -RA)
See: |
hablar | |
See: |
comer | |
See: |
vivir |
PLUPERFECT -SE (After launching one of the following links, look for Subjunctive Tenses and then choose - Pluperfect -SE)
See: |
hablar | |
See: |
comer | |
See: |
vivir |
PRESENT PERFECT (After launching one of the following links, look for Subjunctive Tenses and then choose - Present Perfect)
See: |
hablar | |
See: |
comer | |
See: |
vivir |
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USES OF THE SUBJUNCTIVE
The subjunctive is used in three different types of clauses:
a) noun clauses: clauses which function in the same way as a noun (as the subject or object of a sentence)
b) adjective clauses: clauses which function as adjectives (modifying nouns)
c) adverbial clauses: clauses which function as adverbs (modifying verbs)
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The Subjunctive in Noun Clauses
The subjunctive is used in noun clauses after a) verbs expressing wish or command; b) verbs of emotion; c) certain impersonal expressions; and d) expressions indicating doubt or uncertainty.
a) Verbs expressing wish or command: The most common use of the subjunctive in Spanish is after verbs expressing wish or command (querer, desear, pedir, exigir, insistir, preferir, etc.) when the main verb and the subordinate verb have different subjects. (If there is only one subject, then an infinitive is naturally used.)
Yo deseo que Juan vaya inmediatamente.
I want John to go immediately.
María quiere que usted espere aquí.
Mary wants you to wait here.
BUT: when there is no subject change:
Yo deseo ir inmediatamente.
I want to go immediately.
María quiere esperar aquí.
Mary wants to wait here.
NOTE: These verbs are implied in some expressions of wish or mild command:
¡Qué tengas éxito!
May you have success!
Other verbs of wish or command:
decir to tell (order)
mandar to order, command
rogar to beg, pray
aconsejar to advise
permitir to permit
dejar to let, allow
prohibir to prohibit
Note: All of these generally use an indirect object pronoun even though there may be a noun in the English sentence. This noun serves both as the indirect object of one of the first four verbs mentioned and as the subject of the subjunctive clause. With these first four verbs, it is generally not necessary to use the subject in the subjunctive clause.
Le dije a Guillermo que fuera conmigo.
I told Guillermo to go with me.
The verbs dejar, permitir, and prohibir may be followed
by an infinitive provided that indirect object pronouns are used.
Él deja que traigamos a nuestros padres.
He lets us bring our parents.
OR
Él nos deja traer a nuestros padres.
He lets us bring our parents.
NOTE: Decir takes the subjunctive when it expresses a command or wish but not when it is used to state a fact:
Mi madre me dice que camine despacio.
My mother tells me to walk slowly.
Mi madre me dice que camino despacio.
My mother tells me that I walk slowly.
b) Verbs of emotion: The subjunctive is also used after all verbs of emotion, such as sentir, alegrarse, lamentar, temer, extrañarse, sorprenderse, etc. Again, remember that the verb in the subjunctive clause must have a subject of its own; if there is only one subject in the sentence, then an infinitive is used.
Siento mucho que ella esté enferma hoy.
I am sorry she is sick today.
Él tiene miedo que ella diga la verdad.
He is afraid she may tell the truth.
BUT: when there is no subject change:
Él tiene miedo de decir la verdad.
He is afraid to tell the truth.
NOTE: Similarly, the subjunctive is also used after ojalá (that God grant) to express wish or hope. Ojalá translates as I wish or I hope.
Ojalá que él venga pronto.
I hope he arrives soon.
c) Impersonal expressions: The subjunctive is used after certain impersonal phrases expressing necessity, opinion, emotion, etc. (es necesario que, es imposible que, es importante que, es una lástima que, etc.)
Es importante que ella vaya allí en seguida.
It's important that she go there at once.
Es probable que vengan por avión.
It's probable that they will come by plane.
BUT: when the subject of the second verb is also impersonal:
Es importante llegar a tiempo.
It's important to arrive on time.
Other impersonal expressions:
puede ser it may be
es posible it is possible
es dudoso it is doubtful
es justo it is just
es malo / bueno it is bad / good
más vale it is better
es mejor it is better
es (una) lástima it is a pity
basta it is enough
d) Expressions of doubt: The subjunctive is used after expressions indicating some doubt or uncertainty in the mind of the speaker (dudo que, niego que, no creo que, no pienso que, etc.)
Dudo que él sepa bastante español para entenderlo.
I doubt that he knows enough Spanish to understand it.
No creo que tengan mucho dinero.
I don't think they have much money.
Note: In this usage, if no doubt is expressed and a mere statement of fact or opinion is made, then the indicative is used.
Creo que tienen mucho dinero.
I think they have a lot of money.
No hay duda de que lo hará pronto.
There is no doubt he will do it soon.
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The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses
a) Hypothetical, unknown or non-existent antecedent: The subjunctive is used in all adjective clauses where the relative pronoun que has a negative antecedent or where the antecedent represents some person, thing or idea which is known only in a general, indefinite or hypothetical way. When the antecedent is definite and clear, the indicative must be used. Similarly, the subjunctive is used in a relative clause when the principal clause contains a general negation or a question implying a vague answer.
No hay nadie aquí que sepa español.
There is no one here who knows Spanish.
No tengo ningún libro de gramática que sirva.
I don't have a grammar book that is any good.
¿Hay algún libro que nos guste?
Is there any book that we like?
(So far, there is none.)
Buscan una secretaria que hable español.
They are looking for a secretary who speaks Spanish.
BUT: If the antecedent represents, not an indefinite or hypothetical person but someone definite and known, then the subjunctive is no longer called for and the indicative is used.
Por fin él ha encontrado a una secretaria que habla español.
At last he has found a secretary who speaks Spanish.
b) Adjective clauses introduced by indefinite words: Such indefinite words as quienquiera, (whoever); cualquiera, (whatever); dondequiera, (wherever), are generally followed by the subjunctive if they introduce a hypothetical or unknown situation. Note that all these words are followed by que.
Quienquiera que sea el hombre.
Whoever the man may be.
NOTE: Cualquiera may drop the final -a before a noun it modifies.
Cualquier libro que Ud. tenga.
Whatever book you may have.
Dondequiera que vivamos seremos felices.
Wherever we (happen to) live, we will be happy. (future prediction)
BUT: When the indefinite word is used to introduce a known situation that is already accepted as fact, then the indicative is used.
Dondequiera que vivimos siempre somos felices.
Wherever we live, we are always happy. (present generality)
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The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses
The subjunctive is also used in Spanish in adverbial clauses introduced by certain conjunctions expressing future condition or event, purpose or result, concession or supposition. The principal conjunctions used in this way are:
a) cuando, antes de que, hasta que, tan pronto como, mientras (expressions of time)
b) para que, a fin de que, de manera que, sin que (expressions of purpose)
c) aunque, menos que, con tal de que, suponiendo que (expressions of concession)
The reason for using the subjunctive in Spanish in such sentences is that, after the various conjunctions mentioned, a future or hypothetical situation, which has not yet become a factual one, is indicated; therefore, logically, a subjunctive rather than an indicative form is called for. If, of course, a definite situation or accomplished fact is indicated, then, as in English, the indicative mood is used.
Yo le preguntaré cuando él venga.
I'll ask him when he comes.
Iremos tan pronto como llegue Juan.
We'll go as soon as Juan arrives.
Le doy este libro para que lo lea.
I give you this book so that you may read it.
BUT:
Felipe era muy joven cuando llegó a ser rey.
Felipe was very young when he became king.
Salimos anoche tan pronto como llegó Juan.
We went out as soon as Juan arrived.
Hablamos hasta que se fue.
We talked until he left. (Both definitely completed past actions; therefore no subjunctive.)
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SEQUENCE OF TENSES
There are actually four different subjunctive tenses: present subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive, present perfect subjunctive, and pluperfect subjunctive.
Note: The past participle added to the subjunctive tenses of haber forms the present perfect subjunctive (e.g. haya hablado) and the pluperfect subjunctive
(e.g. hubiera hablado),
a) Use of the present subjunctive: In sentences which require the use of the subjunctive, the present, future, and imperative in the principal clause are generally followed by the present subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
Espero que Juan venga a la fiesta.
I hope Juan comes to the party.
Dígale a Juan que venga a la fiesta.
Tell Juan to come to the party.
b) Use of the imperfect subjunctive: The imperfect subjunctive is used in the same way as the present subjunctive. However, whereas the present subjunctive is used when the principal verb of the sentence is in the present (or future) tense, the imperfect subjunctive is generally used whenever the principal verb is in past time (preterite, imperfect, or conditional).
Me gustó que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I liked it that Juan came to the party.
Esperaba que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I was hoping for Juan to come to the party.
Me gustaría que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I would like it for Juan to come to the party.
NOTE: The imperfect subjunctive is also used to express a softened statement or a polite request or desire.
Quisiera comprar este libro.
I would like to but this book.
c) Use of the present perfect subjunctive: In sentences which require the use of the subjunctive, the present perfect subjunctive, like the present subjunctive, is used when the verb of the main clause is in the present, future, or imperative tense. BUT, the present perfect subjunctive is used to express that the action indicated by the verb in the subjunctive happened prior to the action indicated by the main verb.
Espero que Juan haya venido a la fiesta.
I hope Juan came (has come) to the party.
NOTE: Some speakers also use the imperfect subjunctive in this case.
Espero que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I hope Juan came (has come) to the party.
d) Use of the pluperfect subjunctive: In sentences which require the use of the subjunctive, the pluperfect subjunctive, like the imperfect subjunctive, is used when the verb of the main clause is in past time (preterite, imperfect, or conditional). BUT, the pluperfect subjunctive is used to express that the action indicated by the verb in the subjunctive happened prior to the action indicated by the main verb.
Esperaba que Juan hubiera venido a la fiesta.
I was hoping that Juan had come to the party.
Esperaría que Juan hubiera venido a la fiesta.
I would hope that Juan had come to the party.
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CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (SI CLAUSES)
A conditional sentence is a sentence consisting of two clauses, a dependent clause beginning with if and a main clause or answer to the if clause. A conditional sentence denotes what would happen (result) in case something else were to happen (condition). Sometimes the event is presented as contrary to reality; at other times it is admitted as real or probable.
Si Juan viene, traerá los libros.
If John comes, he will bring the books.
Conditional sentences are of three classes:
1. Future-possible conditions. (If I build it he will come).
2. Present-unreal conditions. (If I built it he would come).
3. Past-unreal conditions. (If I had built it he would have come).
a) Future-possible conditions: A future-possible condition is one which indicates a simple future action which may or may not take place. This type of condition offers no difficulty. In Spanish, as in English, the present tense is used in the if clause, and the future tense is used in the main or answer clause.
Si Juan viene, traerá los libros.
If John comes, he will bring the books.
Si tengo tiempo mañana, iré a la playa.
If I have time tomorrow, I will go to the beach.
Note: Instead of the future tense, the imperative may be used where appropriate.
Si Ud. tiene el dinero para hacerlo, vaya de vacaciones este verano.
If you have money to do it, go on vacation this summer.
b) Present-unreal conditions: A present-unreal condition is one which, while referring in general to present time, indicates some unreal or contrary-to-fact situation. In such conditions, the imperfect subjunctive is used in the if clause and the conditional is used in the main or answer clause.
Si Juan tuviera un automóvil, pasaría sus vacaciones en el campo.
If John had an automobile, he would spend his vacations in the country. (He does not have one)
Si María supiera nadar, iría a la playa todos los días.
If Mary knew how to swim, she would go to the beach every day. (She does not know how).
NOTE: In these sentences there is indicated a hypothetical situation which is unreal or contrary-to-fact.
c) Past-unreal conditions: A past-unreal condition refers to past time but otherwise functions in the same way as a present-unreal condition, indicating an unreal or contrary-to-fact situation. In past-unreal conditions, the pluperfect subjunctive is used in the if clause and the perfect conditional is used in the main or answer clause.
Si hubiéramos llegado un día antes, habríamos tenido una mejor habitación.
If we had arrived a day before, we would have had a better room. (We did not arrive a day before.)
Si yo hubiera tenido el dinero ayer, habría comprado el reloj.
If I had had the money yesterday, I should (or would) have bought the watch. (I did not have the money.)
NOTE: Here again, as in the case of present-unreal conditions, there
is indicated a hypothetical situation which is unreal or contrary-to-fact. /p>