Forms of the present subjunctive

The subjunctive (el subjuntivo) is used mainly in

multiple clause sentences which express will, influence,
emotion, doubt, or denial. The present subjunctive is
formed by dropping the o from the yo form of the
present indicative and adding the subjunctive endings.

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4.11

The indicative is used to express actions, states, or facts the

speaker considers to be certain. The subjunctive expresses the
speakers attitude toward events, as well as actions or states that
the speaker views as uncertain.

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4.12

 Verbs with irregular yo forms show that same

irregularity throughout the forms of the present
subjunctive.

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 Verbs that have stem changes in the present

indicative have the same changes in the
present subjunctive. Remember that only ir
verbs undergo stem changes in the
nosotros/as and vosotros/as forms.

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 The following five verbs are irregular in the

present subjunctive.

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Verbs that end in car, gar, and zar undergo spelling changes in
the present subjunctive.

sacar: saque
jugar: juegue
almorzar: almuerce

The present subjunctive form of hay is haya.

No creo que haya una solucin.
I dont think there is a solution.
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Verbs of will and influence

A clause is a group of words that contains both a
conjugated verb and a subject (expressed or implied). In
a subordinate (dependent) noun clause (oracin
subordinada sustantiva), a group of words function
together as a noun.

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4.17

 When the subject of the main clause of a sentence

exerts influence or will on the subject of the subordinate
clause, the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the
subjunctive.
MAIN CLAUSE

CONNECTOR

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

Yo quiero

que

t vayas al mdico.

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Necesito que consigas estas

pastillas en la farmacia.

El mdico siempre me recomienda

que deje de fumar.

I need you to get these pills at the

pharmacy.

The doctor always recommends that I

quit smoking.

Insisto en que vayas a la sala de

emergencias.
I insist that you go to the emergency
room.

Se oponen a que salgas si ests

enfermo.
They object to your going out if youre
sick.

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Pedir is used with the subjunctive to ask someone to do

something.
Preguntar is used to ask questions, and is not followed by the
subjunctive.

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4.110

 The infinitive, not the subjunctive, is used with

verbs and expressions of will and influence if
there is no change of subject in the sentence.
Quiero ir a Bogot en junio.

Prefiero que vayas en agosto.

I want to go to Bogota in June.

I prefer that you go in August.

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4.111

Verbs of emotion
When the main clause expresses an emotion
like hope, fear, joy, pity, or surprise, the verb in
the subordinate clause must be in the
subjunctive if its subject is different from that of
the main clause.
Espero que te recuperes pronto.

Qu pena que necesites una

operacin.

I hope you recover quickly.

What a shame you need an

operation.

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The subjunctive is also used with expressions of emotion that begin

with Qu! (What a!/Its so!)
Qu pena que l no vaya!
What a shame hes not going!

The expression ojal (I hope; I wish) is always followed by the

subjunctive. The use of que with ojal is optional.
Ojal (que) no llueva.
I hope it doesnt rain.
Ojal (que) no te enfermes.
I hope you dont get sick.
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 The infinitive, not the subjunctive, is used with

verbs and expressions of emotion if there is no
change of subject in the sentence.
No me gusta llegar tarde.

Es mejor que lo hagas ahora.

I dont like to be late.

Its better that you do it now.

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Verbs of doubt or denial

When the main clause implies doubt,
uncertainty, or denial, the verb in the
subordinate clause must be in the
subjunctive if its subject is different from that
of the main clause.
No cree que l nos quiera
engaar.

Dudan que eso sea un buen

tratamiento.

She doesnt believe that he

wants to deceive us.

They doubt that would be a

good treatment.

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 The infinitive, not the subjunctive, is used with

verbs and expressions of doubt or denial if there
is no change in the subject of the sentence.
Es imposible viajar hoy.

Es improbable que l viaje hoy.

Its impossible to travel

today.

Its unlikely that he would travel

today.

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The subjunctive is also used after quiz(s) and tal vez (maybe;
perhaps) when they signal uncertainty, even if there is no change of
subject in the sentence.
Quizs vengan a la fiesta.
Maybe theyll come to the party.

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4.119