![]() Sorry! But let’s face it: it wouldn’t be grammar without at least a couple of red herrings. Just remember: the first of the two verbs will always be in the indicative, and the second will always be in the subjunctive. If a sentence ticks all three of these boxes, then yes – you will definitely need to use the subjunctive. I can’t stand the fact that Susana never clears the table. ![]() No soporto que Susana nunca recoja la mesa. I find it strange that they’re not coming to the party. The first of those two verbs express uncertainty, doubt, a wish or any kind of emotionįor example: Me extraña que no vengan a la fiesta. (Literal translation: do you want that I make you something to eat?)ģ. The ‘person’ of the first verb is different to the ‘person’ of the second verbįor example: ¿Quieres ( tú ) que prepare ( yo ) algo de comer?ĭo you want me to make you something to eat? There are two verbs in the sentence, with a “que” in between themįor example: ¿Quieres que prepare algo de comer?ĭo you want me to make you something to eat?Ģ. So instead of boring you with a big, daunting list of rules to memorise, we’re going to give you everything you need so you understand when – and when not to – to use the Spanish subjunctive.ĭo use the subjunctive when you’re describing your attitude towards something factual, or a fact relating to someone, provided that… 1. So here’s the thing: the subjunctive has tons of different uses in Spanish. ![]() The Spanish subjunctive in action: the dos and don’ts Now it’s time to move on to how to apply it to real-life situations. If your answer falls somewhere between a solid ‘yes’ and a tentative ‘kind of’, you’ve got the basic theory down. Starting to get a feel for the Spanish subjunctive yet? Why? Because these phrases are used to express doubt (a feeling!) about a particular action. Phrases (or dependent clauses, if you like using the correct grammatical lingo) that appear at the start of a sentence like, “if I were you”, or “if I had known” use the English subjunctive. Let’s take a look at an example of the subjunctive mood in English: We use moods – indicativo, subjuntivo and imperativo – to reflect how we feel about that action. We use verb tenses – such as presente, pretérito imperfecto (otherwise known as the imperfect tense in Spanish) and futuro – to describe an action that has occurred. Now, before you start conjuring up images of moody verbs sitting around and sulking in their conjugation groups, let me explain the difference between moods and tenses. In other words, our emotional perception, bias or attitude towards something, rather than just stating a fact.Īnd here’s the really interesting bit: it’s a mood, not a tense. In a nutshell, the subjunctive in Spanish is a way of using verbs to describe “virtual information”. Practise your way to perfection with our app Busuu’s Spanish subjunctive grammar unit today. ![]() Want some extra help with the Spanish subjunctive? Just wait – it’ll become second nature to you in no time! No seriously, the subjunctive isn’t that difficult to learn. It just takes a bit longer to get your head around, is all.įind below everything you’ll ever need to know about the present subjunctive in Spanish: what it actually is, and your go-to guide on when and when not to use it. Not just in Spanish, but in most other languages, as well.īut don’t let that stop you – it’s no way near as hard as you think it is. It’s a complaint I hear all too often from Spanish learners.Īnd I totally understand why: it’s one of the trickiest grammar topics for English speakers to master. That’s it in a nutshell – though if you need more than this, we’ve got more: in our longer, more thorough answer below, find below everything you’ll ever need to know about the present subjunctive in Spanish: a full explanation of what it actually is, and your go-to guide on when and when not to use it. It is a way of using verbs to describe “virtual information” – in other words, our emotional perception, bias or attitude towards something, rather than just stating a fact. The Spanish subjunctive ( el subjuntivo) is one of the three moods in Spanish, the other two being the indicative and the imperative.
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