6presente de subjuntivo

6. PRESENTE DE SUBJUNTIVO
(Present Subjunctive)
-ar verbs
–e
– emos
– es
–éis
–e
– en
-er verbs
–a
– amos
– as
– áis
–a
– an
-ir verbs
–a
– amos
– as
– áis
–a
– an
1) Take off the –ar, -er, -ir endings, 2) put verb in the yo form, 3) drop the -o (or other yo
ending) and 4) add the above endings.
There are irregular verbs in this tense such as dar, ir, saber, haber, estar, ser [dishes] and others
(tocar, pagar, almorzar, etc.). If you are in doubt, look up the verb in a conjugation book.
The subjunctive mood is used in Spanish much more than in English. In Spanish the present
subjunctive is used:
A. To express affirmative or negative commands in the usted, nosotros & ustedes forms
1. Siéntese (usted).
Sit down.
2. No se siente.
Don’t sit down.
3. Hablemos.
Let’s talk.
4. No hablemos.
Let’s not talk.
5. Abran los libros.
Open the books.
6. No abran los libros.
Don’t open the books.
B. To express a negative command in the tú and vosotros forms.
1. No hables.
Don’t talk.
2. No lo hagas.
Don’t do it.
3. No escibáis en los examenes.
Don’t write on the tests.
4. No brinquéis de la puente.
Don’t jump off the bridge.
C. After a verb that expresses some kind of whish, insistence, preference, suggestion or
request.
1. Queiero que ecuchen bien.
I want you all to listen well.
*Note: Quiero suggests a wish. In this example, English would use the infinitive (to
listen). In Spanish, however, a new clause is needed because we use que and there is a
change of subject (from I to you all). If there were no change in subject, Spanish
would use the infinitive like English, for example, Quiero escuchar/I want to listen.
2. Prefiero que David lo haga.
I prefer that David do it.
* Note: In this example, English uses the subjunctive form of do instead of does.
D. After a verb that expresses doubt, fear, joy, hope, sorrow, or some other emotion.
1. Dudo que Isabel venga.
I doubt that Isabel is coming (will come).
2. Me alegro de que vayas a Harvard.
I’m glad (happy) that you are going to
Harvard.
3. Espero que Isabel venga.
4. Es triste que Isabel no venga
I hope that Isabel is coming (will come).
It’s sad that Isabel is not coming (will not
come).
*Note: Ojalá (que) literally means: Would to God! or may God grant…It is derived from
Arabic, ya Allah! (Oh, God!). A looser translation would be How I wish that or If only…
E. After certain impersonal expressions that show necessity, regret, urgency, or possibility.
1. Es necesario que Raquel lo haga.
It’s necessary for Raquel to do it (that
Raquel do it).
2. No es cierto que Raquel venga.
It is not certain (doubtful) that Raquel is
coming (will come).
3. Es importante que lea todo.
It’s important that you read all of it.
4. Es una lástima que estés enferma.
It’s a pity (too bad) that you are sick.
F. If something or someone is nonexistent, indefinite, negative or vague.
1. Busco un libro que sea interesante.
I’m looking for a book that is interesting.
*Note: Un libro is indefinite, so the verb following the clause must be in the
subjunctive.
2. ¿Hay alguien aquí que toque el piano? Is there anyone here who plays the piano?
*Note: Alguien is indefinite or vague –we don’t know who it might be- the verb
following the clause must be subjunctive.
3. No hay nadie que cante mejor que yo. There’s nobody that sings better than me.
*Note: Nadie is nonexistent, so the verb following the clause must is subjunctive.
G. After certain conjunctions of time, such as, antes (de) que, cuando, en cuanto, después
(de) que, hasta que, mientras and others. You use the subjunctive with these only when
the time is indefinite or in the future. If the action was completed in the past, you must
use the indicative.
1. Antes de que se vayan, veremos los
Before you guys go, we’ll look at the
exámenes.
tests.
2. Nadaremos hasta que anochezca.
We’ll swim until it gets dark.
H. After certain conjunctions that express a condition, negation, purpose, such as: a fin de
que, a menos que, con tal que, en caso (de) que, para que, sin que, etc.
1. Me voy a menos que haga calor.
I’m going unless it is (will be) hot.
2. Me voy a la fiesta en caso de que
I’m going to the party in case she comes.
ella venga.
I. After certain adverbs, such as: acaso, quizá(s), and tal vez.
1. Acaso llame mas tarde.
Perhaps she will call later.
Perhaps she’s calling later.
J. After aunque if the action has not happened yet.
1. Aunque sea divertida, no me voy.
Although it might be (will be, would be)
fun, I’m not going.
The present subjunctive never follows si when si means if.