The present subjunctive is one of the most important moods in Spanish for expressing things that are subjective, uncertain, or not yet realized. It is used after certain expressions and conjunctions to convey wishes, doubts, emotions, or polite requests.
Formation
The present subjunctive is formed by taking the yo form of the present indicative, removing the -o ending, and adding the subjunctive endings.
- For -ar verbs, use the endings: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en
- For -er and -ir verbs, use the endings: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an
Example with hablar (to speak):
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | hable | Quiero que yo hable. | I want that I speak. |
| tú | hables | Espero que tú hables. | I hope that you speak. |
| él/ella | hable | Es posible que ella hable. | It’s possible that she speaks. |
| nosotros | hablemos | Ojalá que hablemos. | I hope that we speak. |
| vosotros | habléis | Quiero que habléis. | I want you all to speak. |
| ellos | hablen | Dudo que hablen. | I doubt that they speak. |
Example with comer (to eat):
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | coma | Quiero que yo coma. | I want that I eat. |
| tú | comas | Espero que tú comas. | I hope that you eat. |
| él/ella | coma | Es posible que ella coma. | It’s possible that she eats. |
| nosotros | comamos | Ojalá que comamos. | I hope that we eat. |
| vosotros | comáis | Quiero que comáis. | I want you all to eat. |
| ellos | coman | Dudo que coman. | I doubt that they eat. |
Example with vivir (to live):
| Pronoun | Conjugation | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | viva | Quiero que yo viva. | I want that I live. |
| tú | vivas | Espero que tú vivas. | I hope that you live. |
| él/ella | viva | Es posible que ella viva. | It’s possible that she lives. |
| nosotros | vivamos | Ojalá que vivamos. | I hope that we live. |
| vosotros | viváis | Quiero que viváis. | I want you all to live. |
| ellos | vivan | Dudo que vivan. | I doubt that they live. |
Fill in the blank with the correct present subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses: "Quiero que tú ___ (hablar) con ella."
hables
The subjunctive form for tú of 'hablar' is 'hables.' The indicative form 'hablas' and the other options do not express the subjunctive mood required by 'Quiero que...'.
Irregular Verbs
Some verbs are irregular in all forms of the subjunctive. Their irregularities come from the yo form of the present indicative.
| Infinitive | Stem Change Rule | Example (yo) | Example Usage | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ser | completely irregular | sea | Es bueno que yo sea honesto. | It’s good that I am honest. |
| ir | completely irregular | vaya | Ojalá que ella vaya al parque. | I hope she goes to the park. |
| estar | completely irregular | esté | Dudo que él esté en casa. | I doubt that he is at home. |
| saber | completely irregular | sepa | Es posible que yo sepa la respuesta. | It’s possible that I know the answer. |
| dar | completely irregular | dé | Espero que tú me des ayuda. | I hope that you give me help. |
Stem-Changing Verbs
These verbs keep their indicative present stem changes in all subjunctive forms except nosotros and vosotros (which follow the original stem).
- -ar and -er verbs: e → ie, o → ue
- -ir verbs: e → ie, o → ue, e → i (stem change occurs also in nosotros and vosotros)
| Infinitive | Stem Change | Note | Subjunctive Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pensar | e → ie | No change in nosotros/vosotros | que tú pienses | que tú pienses en mí (that you think of me) |
| volver | o → ue | No change in nosotros/vosotros | que él vuelva | que él vuelva pronto (that he returns soon) |
| pedir | e → i | Change also en nosotros/vosotros | que pidamos | que pidamos ayuda (that we ask for help) |
| sentir | e → ie | Change also en nosotros/vosotros | que sintamos | que sintamos tristeza (that we feel sadness) |
Uses
. Verbs of Will and Influence
Use the present subjunctive after verbs that express desire, requests, commands, or suggestions.
| Main Verb in Indicative | Example with Subjunctive | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| querer | Quiero que vengas temprano. | I want you to come early. |
| pedir | Pido que me ayudes. | I ask you to help me. |
| sugerir | Sugiero que estudien más. | I suggest that they study more. |
| mandar | Mando que limpien la cocina. | I order that they clean the kitchen. |
| permitir | Permito que salgas tarde. | I allow you to leave late. |
Fill in the blank: "Pido que tú me ___ (ayudar)."
ayudes
After 'Pido que,' use the present subjunctive 'ayudes' to express a request.
. Expressions of Emotion
Use the subjunctive after impersonal expressions of emotion, as well as verbs of feeling.
| Expression/Verb | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| alegrarse de | Me alegro de que estés bien. | I’m happy that you are well. |
| temer | Temo que no lleguemos a tiempo. | I fear that we won’t arrive on time. |
| sentir | Siento que no puedas venir. | I’m sorry that you can’t come. |
| sorprenderse de | Me sorprende que digas eso. | It surprises me that you say that. |
. Expressions of Doubt and Uncertainty
Use the subjunctive after verbs and expressions that indicate doubt, denial, or uncertainty.
| Expression/Verb | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| dudar | Dudo que sea verdad. | I doubt that it’s true. |
| no creer | No creo que él tenga razón. | I don’t believe that he is right. |
| no estar seguro de | No estoy seguro de que ella venga. | I’m not sure that she’s coming. |
| negar | Niegan que haya problemas. | They deny that there are problems. |
. Impersonal Expressions
Use the subjunctive after impersonal expressions that express necessity, possibility, judgment, or emotion.
| Expression | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| es necesario que | Es necesario que estudies. | It’s necessary that you study. |
| es posible que | Es posible que llueva mañana. | It’s possible that it will rain tomorrow. |
| es importante que | Es importante que descanses. | It’s important that you rest. |
| es mejor que | Es mejor que salgamos ahora. | It’s better that we leave now. |
Complete the sentence: "Es necesario que tú ___ (estudiar)."
estudies
'Estudies' is the present subjunctive form required by the impersonal expression 'Es necesario que.'
. Conjunctions That Always Require the Subjunctive
These conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses that describe purpose, condition, or anticipation, and always require the subjunctive.
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| para que | so that | Te llamo para que vengas. | I’m calling you so that you come. |
| antes de que | before | Salgamos antes de que llegue él. | Let’s leave before he arrives. |
| a menos que | unless | No voy a menos que me invites. | I won’t go unless you invite me. |
| en caso de que | in case | Trae paraguas en caso de que llueva. | Bring an umbrella in case it rains. |
Summary
- Form the present subjunctive from the yo form present indicative, drop -o, add subjunctive endings.
- Use after expressions of will, emotion, doubt, uncertainty, and certain conjunctions.
- Stem changes mostly carry over, but -ar/-er patterns skip nosotros/vosotros; -ir stem changes appear everywhere.
- Irregular verbs follow their irregular yo forms.
Flashcards (1 of 48)
- Pronoun: yo
- Conjugation: hable
- English Example: I want that I speak.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
