There are many situations in which we use the subjunctive in Spanish, and mastering its use takes time and practice. One of the best subjunctive summaries that I have seen is called the "weirdo" method, and it goes like this:
Use the subjunctive when you want to express:
Wish: Quiero que me mires. (I want you to look at me.)
Deseo que sean felices. (I want you to be happy.) Emotions: Temo que no vuelva. (I am afraid he (or she) will not return.) Impersonal expressions: Es importante que aprendamos español.
(It´s importante that we learn Spanish.)
Es necesario que aprendas a conducir.
(It´s necessary that you learn to drive.) Requests: Te pido que seas honesta conmigo. (I ask you to be honest with me.)
Te ruego que no fumes aquí. (I beg (ask) you not to smoke here.) Doubt: Dudo que ella sepa mi nombre. (I doubt that she knows my name.)
No creo que ella conozca Bangkok. (I don´t think she knows Bangkok.) Ojalá: Ojalá apruebes tus exámenes. (I hope you pass your exams.)
Ojalá mañana gane mi equipo. (I hope my team wins tomorrow.)
The subjunctive of irregular verbs:
estar
haber
ser
ir
dar
saber
esté
haya
sea
vaya
dé
sepa
estés
hayas
seas
vayas
des
sepas
esté
haya
sea
vaya
dé
sepa
estemos
hayamos
seamos
vayamos
demos
sepamos
estéis
hayáis
seáis
vayáis
deis
sepáis
estén
hayan
sean
vayan
den
sepan
We also use the subjunctive with many impersonal expressions followed by "que". Impersonal expressions do not have a specific subject and are formed with the third person singular. Look at the following example:
- Es importante que Juan lea esta nota. (It is important that Juan reads this note.)
Note that, from the point of view of the speaker, it is "real" and important that Juan reads the note. That is why the main clause is in the indicative mood. However, let´s analyze the role of Juan in the sentence. Is there any certainty that Juan will read the note? Not really. That is why the second part of the sentence (the subordinate clause) must use the subjunctive.
A few impersonal expressions that require the subjunctive:
es probable que
(it is probable that)
es dudoso que
(it is doubtful that)
es necesario que
(it is necessary that)
es una pena que
(it is a pity that)
es útil que
(it is useful that)
es imposible que
(it is impossible that)
es increíble que
(it is incredible that)
es mejor que
(it is better that)
parece que
(it seems that)
Note that impersonal expressions that indicate certainty or leave no room for doubt DO NOT use the subjunctive. Compare the following sentences:
- Es cierto que somos españoles.
(It is true that we are Spaniards.)
- No es cierto que seamos españoles.
(It is not true that we are Spaniards.)
- Está comprobado que la tierra es redonda.
(It is proven that the Earth is round.)
- No está comprobado que la tierra sea redonda.
(It is not proven that the Earth is round.)
- No hay duda que hablas inglés.
(There is no doubt that you speak English.)
- Dudo que hables inglés.
I doubt that you speak English.)
Click here to practice the subjunctive and many other
aspects of Spanish grammar.
