23 First SUBJUNCTIVE FOR BEGINNERS Flashcards
The subjunctive mood is essential to Spanish, and even many simple types of statements can’t be made properly without it.
In general, the subjunctive is a verb mood that is used to express an action or state of being in the context of the speaker’s reaction to it.
el subjuntivo es un estado de ánimo del verbo que se usa para expresar una acción o estado de ser en el contexto de la reacción del hablante ante él.
Most commonly (although not always), the subjunctive verb is used in a clause that starts with the relative pronoun que (meaning “which,” “that” or “who”).
Frequently, the sentences that contain a subjunctive verb are used to express doubt, uncertainty, denial, desire, commands or reactions to the clause containing the subjunctive verb. Compare the following sentences:
INDICATIVE:
Los hombres trabajan.
The men are working.
SUBJUNCTIVE:
Espero que los hombres trabajen.
I hope the men are working.
INDICATIVE (statement of fact):
INDICATIVO (declaración de hecho):
Britney está enferma.
(Britney is sick.)
SUBJUNCTIVE (doubt):
No es cierto que Britney esté enferma.
It is uncertain that Britney is sick.
iNDICATIVE (statement of fact):
Sé que Britney está enferma.
I know that Britney is sick.
SUBJUNCTIVE (denial):
No es verdad que Britney esté enferma.
It is not true that Britney is sick.
SUBJUNCTIVE (reaction):
I am unhappy that Britney is sick.
I am happy that Britney is healthy.
No estoy contento de que Britney esté enferma
Estoy feliz que Britney esté sana.
SUBJUNCTIVE (desire):
I hope that Britney is not sick.
Espero que Britney no esté enferma.
SUBJUNCTIVE (desire):
We prefer that Britney be healthy.
Preferimos que Britney esté sana.
SUBJUNCTIVE (command):
I insist that Britney be healthy.
Insisto que Britney esté sana.
Note the use of the subjunctive mood in the English translation of the final two examples. If the indicative mood were used in English in the final example (I insist that Britney is sick), the speaker would be insisting that a fact is true; when the subjunctive is used in this instance, it expresses what the speaker wants to be true (whether it is or not is immaterial to the meaning of the sentence).
Similarly, in Spanish sentences where either the subjunctive or indicative mood can be used, the choice almost always affects the meaning of the sentence. In this way, the subjunctive mood can sometimes be used in Spanish to indicate doubt or feelings in ways that aren’t available in English by merely changing the verb form.
IMPERSONAL EXPRESSIONS:
Of the type “es + adjective + que” are almost always followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. This is because such expressions usually indicate either a value judgment or a desire.
Some Examples Below:
It is important that we be on the same page.
Es importante que ESTEMOS en la misma página.
It’s surprising no one has gone to jail.
Es sorprendente que nadie HAYA IDO a la cárcel.
It is not good for the man to be alone.
No es bueno que el hombre ESTÉ sólo.
It’s possible that some websites don’t display or function properly in that browser.
Es posible que algunos sitios web no se MUESTREN o FUNCIONEN correctamente en ese navegador.
It’s necessary for them to close the schools.
Es necesario que CIRREN las escuelas.
The host family is prohibited from lodging other students.
It is forbidden for the host family to host other students.
Es prohibido que la familia anfitriona ALOJE otros estudiantes.
It’s interesting that the team is winning.
Es interesante que el equipo GANE.
It’s natural that I’m in love with you.
Es natural que yo ESTÉ enamorado de ti.
THE SAME HOLDS TRUE IN OTHER TENSES
SEE BELOW
It was urgent for him to arrive at the city.
Era urgente que LLEGARA a la ciudad.
It will be necessary for you to go to Buenos Aires.
Será preciso/(necesario) que VAYAS a Buenos Aires.
IMPERSONAL VERBS: with similar meanings and followed by que also are followed by a verb in the subjunctive:
The main exception to using the subjunctive after expressions of the type “es + adjective + que” occurs when the impersonal expression explicitly states that what follows is factual:
It doesn’t interest me that the team is winning.
{It is not interesting (3rd Pers) to me}
No me interesa que el equipo GANE.
It is important that the family receives the money.
Importa que la familia RECIBA el dinero.
FACTUAL: It’s obvious I’m worried.
Es obvio que estoy preocupado.
FACTUAL: It is certain that the family is in crisis.
Es cierto que la familia está en crisis.
Since the subjunctive mood in general is used to refer to occurrences that are either contrary to reality or are only possibilities, it’s easy to forget sometimes that, due to sentence structure, the subjunctive can be used to refer to events that are a reality.
the most common way for the subjunctive to be used is in a sentence of this type.
subject (may be implied) + indicative verb + que + subject (may be implied) + subjunctive verb
when the indicative verb is used to state a command, permission or a desire.
Thus statements such as:
quiero que salga (I want him to leave),
mando que salga (I am ordering him to leave),
permito que salga (I am permitting him to leave),
autorizo que salga (I am authorizing him to leave)
consiento que salga (I am giving consent for him to leave)
all use the subjunctive mood.
In those sample sentences, such uses of "querer que" , "mandar que", "permitir que", "autorizar que" (to authorize) and "consentir que"
all require use of the subjunctive in the following clause, regardless of whether the verb action in the subjunctive is a reality or not.
There are some other verbs that can prompt use of the subjunctive when followed by que, even when the subjunctive refers to a real occurrence:
BELOW:
Causar:
Diabetes causes wounds to not heal well.
La diabetes causa que las heridas no SE CUREN bien. (Pres Subj)
Obligar:
The law requires us to attend.
La ley obliga que ASISTAMOS (Pres Subj)
Producir:
The rain resulted in me being left without e-mail.
La lluvia produjo(1) que me QUEDARA(2) sin correo electrónico. (1) (3rd Pers Preterite) (2)(Imperfect Subjunctive)
Vigilar:
He made sure that we will go to the school.
Vigiló que VAYAMOS a la escuela. (Pres Subj)
