Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood expresses desires, doubts, emotions, and hypothetical situations rather than stating concrete facts. It shapes how speakers signal uncertainty, influence, and value.
Use
The subjunctive appears in subordinate clauses triggered by verbs, expressions, and impersonal phrases that introduce want, doubt, necessity, or feeling. It guides listeners to interpret the action as non-actual or contingent.
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Formation
Form the subjunctive by starting with the first person singular of the present indicative, dropping the -o, and adding the opposite endings for -ar and -er/-ir verbs. This switching pattern helps signal that the clause is subordinate and nuanced.
-ar Verbs
Use the subjunctive endings: e, es, e, emos, éis, en for -ar verbs, attaching them to the stem that remains after removing the first-person -o. This pattern aligns with the opposite vowel to mark the mood clearly.
| English Example | Subjunctive Example |
|---|---|
| I want you to speak. | Quiero que hables. |
| I hope you speak. | Espero que hables. |
| It’s necessary that you speak. | Es necesario que hables. |
| I doubt you speak. | Dudo que hables. |
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-er Verbs
Use the subjunctive endings: a, as, a, amos, áis, an for -er verbs, applying them to the stem from the first-person -o form. The opposite vowel pattern signals the clause's subordinate and non-factual status.
| English Example | Subjunctive Example |
|---|---|
| I want you to eat. | Quiero que comas. |
| I hope you eat. | Espero que comas. |
| It’s necessary that you eat. | Es necesario que comas. |
| I doubt you eat. | Dudo que comas. |
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-ir Verbs
Use the subjunctive endings: a, as, a, amos, áis, an for -ir verbs, following the same pattern as -er verbs. Some -ir verbs also undergo stem changes in the subjunctive, reinforcing the mood's nuance.
| English Example | Subjunctive Example |
|---|---|
| I want you to live. | Quiero que vivas. |
| I hope you live. | Espero que vivas. |
| It’s necessary that you live. | Es necesario que vivas. |
| I doubt you live. | Dudo que vivas. |
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Irregulars
Some high-use verbs are irregular in the subjunctive, so they must be memorized to signal meaning precisely. These irregular forms often appear in common expressions of influence and doubt.
dar (to give)
| English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo give | dé |
| tú give | des |
| él/ella give | dé |
| nosotros give | demos |
| vosotros give | deis |
| ellos/ellas give | den |
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estar (to be)
| English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo be | esté |
| tú be | estés |
| él/ella be | esté |
| nosotros be | estemos |
| vosotros be | estéis |
| ellos/ellas be | estén |
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haber (to have, auxiliary)
| English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo have | haya |
| tú have | hayas |
| él/ella have | haya |
| nosotros have | hayamos |
| vosotros have | hayáis |
| ellos/ellas have | hayan |
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ir (to go)
| English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo go | vaya |
| tú go | vayas |
| él/ella go | vaya |
| nosotros go | vayamos |
| vosotros go | vayáis |
| ellos/ellas go | vayan |
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saber (to know)
| English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo know | sepa |
| tú know | sepas |
| él/ella know | sepa |
| nosotros know | sepamos |
| vosotros know | sepáis |
| ellos/ellas know | sepan |
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ser (to be)
| English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation |
|---|---|
| yo be | sea |
| tú be | seas |
| él/ella be | sea |
| nosotros be | seamos |
| vosotros be | seáis |
| ellos/ellas be | sean |
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Trigger Expressions
Expressions that trigger the subjunctive include verbs of wishing, doubt, emotion, and necessity, as well as impersonal phrases that evaluate or require an action. Recognizing these triggers helps learners anticipate the mood.
Wanting
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Doubting
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Feeling
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Necessity
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Impersonal
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Summary
The subjunctive frames actions as desired, uncertain, or evaluative rather than factual. It consistently appears in clauses introduced by triggers and is formed by opposite endings with some irregulars. Mastering it unlocks subtle meaning in spoken and written English.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025