3.1 Lesson

Question 1

What is the present subjunctive mood in Spanish?

Answer 1

The present subjunctive in Spanish is not a tense but a mood used to express doubt, wishes, emotions, or uncertainty about an action.

Start with the yo form of the present indicative of the verb. Remove the final -o ending.
Add the appropriate subjunctive endings:

• ar verbs: e, es, e, emos, éis, en.
• -er/-ir verbs: a, as, a, amos, áis, an.

For example, let’s take the verb “hablar” (to speak):

• yo hable (I speak)
• tú hables (you speak)
• él/ella/usted hable (he/she/you(formal) speak)
• nosotros/nosotras hablemos (we speak)
• vosotros/vosotras habléis (you all speak)
• ellos/ellas/ustedes hablen (they/you all speak)

Example sentence:
Espero que él hable con el profesor. (I hope he speaks with the professor.)

Question 2

How is the subjunctive used?

Answer 2

The subjunctive is used to express desires, emotions, recommendations, doubt, and denial; with certain impersonal expressions; and with ojalá: “I doubt Miguel is in Spain” –> Dudo que Miguel esté en España.

Question 3

What is the indicative mood?

Answer 3

The indicative is used to refer to objective reality, factual statements, and declarations. Most of what you’ve learned so far has been in the indicative: “Miguel is in Spain (as far as I know)” –> Miguel está en España.

Question 4

What are the endings of regular present subjunctive -ar verbs?

Answer 4

Regular present subjunctive -ar endings:

• -e (yo)
• -es (tú)
• -e (él)
• -emos (nosotros)
• -eís (vosotros)
• -en (ellos).

Simply strip the -ar ending off of any regular infinitive and apply the above endings.

Question 5

Translate to Spanish:

She hopes that I speak

Answer 5

Ella espera que yo hable

that I speak (present subjunctive) - que yo hable. In this example, the subject is expressing a wish or desire (volition), which calls for the subjunctive.

Question 6

Translate to Spanish:

I want you to speak with her tomorrow

Answer 6

Quiero que tú hables con ella mañana

that you speak (present subjunctive) - que tú hables. This sentence is also expressing volition—to want. This translates literally as “I want that you speak with her tomorrow,” though it sounds a bit strange since the subjunctive is uncommon in English.

Question 7

Translate to Spanish:

His aunt prefers that he speak to her over the phone

Answer 7

Su tía prefiere que él le hable por teléfono

that he/she speak (present subjunctive) - que él/ella/Ud hable. Note that the subjunctive is employed here in English, too, so the verb in English changes accordingly: “he speaks” (indicative mood); “that he speak” (subjunctive mood).

Question 8

Translate to Spanish:

The child demands his food when he’s hungry

Answer 8

El niño exige su comida cuando tiene hambre

to demand - exigir

Question 9

Translate to Spanish:

Our teacher demands that we speak in class

Answer 9

Nuestra maestra exige que hablemos en clase

that we speak (present subjunctive) - que nosotros hablemos. Demands require the use of the subjunctive.

Question 10

Translate to Spanish:

I prefer that you all speak to your teachers about your homework

Answer 10

Prefiero que habléis con vuestros maestros sobre la tarea

that you all speak (present subjunctive) - que vosotros habléis

Question 11

Translate to Spanish:

I want them to walk home after the lesson

Answer 11

Quiero que caminen a casa después de la lección

that they walk (present subjunctive) - que ellos/ellas/Uds caminen

Question 12

What are the endings of regular present subjunctive -er and -ir verbs?

Answer 12

Regular present subjunctive -er and -ir endings: -a (yo) -as (tú) -a (él) -amos (nosotros) -áis (vosotros) -an (ellos). Simply strip the -er or -ir ending off of any regular infinitive, and apply the above endings.

Question 13

Translate to Spanish:

My girlfriend wants me to eat with her friends tonight

Answer 13

Mi novia quiere que yo coma con sus amigas esta noche

that I eat (present subjunctive) - que yo coma. The subject of this sentence, mi novia, is expressing an expectation, which calls for the subjunctive in Spanish.

Question 14

Translate to Spanish:

It’s a shame

Answer 14

Es una lástima

It’s a shame - Es una lástima. When this expression is followed by que, the subjunctive is required.

Question 15

Translate to Spanish:

It’s a shame that you won’t eat the food

Answer 15

Es una lástima que no comas la comida

that you eat (present subjunctive) - que tú comas. In this example, the subject is expressing lament. When conveying feelings and emotions—anger, happiness, fear, or surprise—the subjunctive is used.

Question 16

Translate to Spanish:

I’m happy that the child eats so much

Answer 16

Estoy feliz de que el niño coma tanto

that he/she eat (present subjunctive) - que él/ella/Ud coma. Reactions that express a subjective opinion or judgement require the subjunctive.

Question 17

Translate to Spanish:

It’s good that we’re eating fruits and vegetables today

Answer 17

Es bueno que comamos frutas y vegetales hoy

that we eat (present subjunctive) - que nosotros comamos. The impersonal expression “It’s good that,” es bueno que, should be followed by the subjunctive.

Question 18

Translate to Spanish:

I’m sorry that you (vosotros) aren’t eating these delicious desserts

Answer 18

Siento que no comáis estos ricos postres

that you all eat (present subjunctive) - que vosotros comáis. In this example, “I’m sorry that” is an impersonal expression that requires the use of the subjunctive.

Question 19

Translate to Spanish:

I want the kids to eat dinner before dessert

Answer 19

Quiero que los niños coman la cena antes del postre

that they eat (present subjunctive) - que ellos/ellas/Uds coman. This example uses the subjunctive after an expression of desire, quiero que.

Question 20

Translate to Spanish:

My teacher wants me to write an essay

Answer 20

Mi maestra quiere que yo escriba un ensayo

Question 21

Translate to Spanish:

It’s incredible that you’re writing so much in Spanish!

Answer 21

¡Es increíble que escribas tanto en español!

that you write (present subjunctive) - que tú escribas. Impersonal expressions like es increíble que require the use of the subjunctive.

Question 22

Translate to Spanish:

It’s strange that he’s writing at this hour

Answer 22

Es raro que él escriba a esta hora

that he/she write (present subjunctive) - que él/ella/Ud escriba. Impersonal expressions like es raro que require the use of the subjunctive. Note that because yo and él share the same present subjunctive form, it is wise to include the subject pronoun to avoid ambiguity.

Question 23

Translate to Spanish:

My sister surprised me with a gift

Answer 23

Mi hermana me sorprendió con un regalo

to surprise - sorprender

Question 24

Translate to Spanish:

I’m surprised that we don’t write to each other more

Answer 24

Me sorprende que no nos escribamos más

that we write (present subjunctive) - que nosotros escribamos. Surprise, considered an expression of emotion, requires the use of the subjunctive.

Question 25

# Translate to Spanish: _I don't think that you all write_ so poorly

Answer 25

_No creo que escribáis_ tan mal ## Footnote that you all write (present subjunctive) - *que vosotros escribáis*. *No creo* is an expression of doubt, and therefore requires the use of the subjunctive.

Question 26

# Translate to Spanish: _He gets upset_ by any little thing

Answer 26

_Él se enoja_ por cualquier cosa ## Footnote to get upset, get angry - *enojar*

Question 27

# Translate to Spanish: _It upsets me that they write_ such terrible essays

Answer 27

_Me enoja que escriban_ ensayos tan terribles ## Footnote that they write (present subjunctive) - *que ellos/ellas/uds escriban*. Anger, considered an expression of emotion, requires the use of the subjunctive.

Question 28

# Translate to Spanish: You shouldn't _doubt_ yourself

Answer 28

No deberías _dudar_ de ti mismo ## Footnote to doubt - *dudar*. Note that the expression in Spanish is *dudar de sí mismo* --\> "to doubt (in) oneself"

Question 29

# Translate to Spanish: _I doubt that he studies_ that much

Answer 29

_Dudo que él estudie_ tanto ## Footnote To express doubt, denial, or probability, use the subjunctive mood. Therefore, *dudo que* must be followed by the subjunctive. Also note the third-person singular conjugation of *estudiar* in the present subjunctive.

Question 30

# Translate to Spanish: _Can you recommend_ a good wine?

Answer 30

¿_Me puedes recomendar_ un buen vino? ## Footnote to recommend - recomendar. Note that "to me" is implied in the English phrase "Can you recommend," though in Spanish you must include the indirect object pronoun *me*.

Question 31

# Translate to Spanish: _I recommend that you drink_ more water

Answer 31

_Recomiendo que bebas_ más agua ## Footnote Recommendations, suggestions, and demands require the use of the subjunctive. The construction *recomendar que* should thus be followed by the subjunctive.

Question 32

# Translate to Spanish: _I suggest_ a red wine with dinner

Answer 32

_Sugiero_ un vino rojo con la cena ## Footnote to suggest - *sugerir*. Recall that *sugerir* is an *e* to *ie* stem-changing verb. Also note that in Spain and many other countries, *vino tinto* is the preferred term for "red wine".

Question 33

# Translate to Spanish: So _you suggest that I speak_ faster?

Answer 33

¿Entonces, _sugieres que yo hable_ más rápido? ## Footnote The construction *sugerir que* requires the subjunctive.

Question 34

# Translate to Spanish: _I hope to God (that)_ it doesn't rain today

Answer 34

_Ojalá que_ no llueva hoy ## Footnote Hopefully, I hope to God that - *ojalá que*. *Ojalá que*, which comes from the Arabic for "may God will it," is a common expression denoting hope. It is followed by the subjunctive.

Question 35

Which Spanish verbs are **irregular** in the present subjunctive?

Answer 35

There are **only six irregular verbs** in the subjunctive, and their forms must be memorized in order to be used correctly. The six verbs are *estar, ser, haber, ir, saber, dar*.

Question 36

# Translate to Spanish: **TO BE (ser) (Present Subjunctive)** * that I be * that you be * that he/she be * that we be * that you all be * that they be

Answer 36

**SER (Presente de Subjuntivo)** * que yo sea * que tú seas * que él/ella/Ud sea * que nosotros seamos * que vosotros seáis * que ellos/ellas sean

Question 37

# Translate to Spanish: My girlfriend wants _me to be_ a happy person

Answer 37

Mi novia quiere _que yo sea_ feliz ## Footnote that I be (present subjunctive) - *que yo sea*. Remember that this is a desire, so the subjunctive is used. Also note that *estar feliz* means "to be happy now" and *ser feliz* means "to be happy generally / to be a happy person."

Question 38

# Translate to Spanish: **TO BE (estar) (Present Subjunctive)** * that I be * that you be * that he/she be * that we be * that you all be * that they be

Answer 38

**ESTAR (Presente de Subjuntivo)** * que yo esté * que tú estés * que él/ella/Ud esté * que nosotros estemos * que vosotros estéis * que ellos/ellas estén

Question 39

# Translate to Spanish: I'm sorry _that you're_ sick

Answer 39

Siento _que estés_ enfermo ## Footnote that you be (present subjunctive) - *que tú estés*. Remember that this is an expression of emotion, so the subjunctive is used. Also note that while it sounds strange, "that I be" is an example of the subjunctive in English: "The memo requires that I be here on time" --\> *El memo requiere que yo esté aquí a tiempo*. Compare with the more common phrase: "The memo says to be here on time."

Question 40

# Translate to Spanish: **TO HAVE, THERE IS/ARE (Present Subjunctive)** * that I have * that you have * that he/she have * that we have * that you all have * that they have

Answer 40

**HABER (Presente de Subjuntivo)** * que yo haya * que tú hayas * que él/ella/Ud haya * que nosotros hayamos * que vosotros hayáis * que ellos/ellas hayan

Question 41

# Translate to Spanish: I don't think _that there are_ people in that room

Answer 41

No pienso _que haya_ gente en ese cuarto ## Footnote that there be / are- *que haya*

Question 42

# Translate to Spanish: I hope _that they've_ already _eaten_

Answer 42

Espero _que_ ya _hayan comido_ ## Footnote that they have eaten - *que hayan comido*. *Haber* is used as a helping verb in the past perfect subjunctive, just like it is in the past perfect indicative.

Question 43

# Translate to Spanish: **TO GO (Present subjunctive)** * that I go * that you go * that he/she go * that we go * that you all go * that they go

Answer 43

**IR (Presente de Subjuntivo)** * que yo vaya * que tú vayas * que él/ella/Ud vaya * que nosotros vayamos * que vosotros vayáis * que ellos/ellas vayan ## Footnote Note the similarity to *haber* in conjugation.

Question 44

# Translate to Spanish: I suggest _that we go_ to the store before 10PM

Answer 44

Sugiero _que vayamos_ a la tienda antes de las diez ## Footnote that we go - *que nosotros vayamos*. Remember that suggestions and recommendations take the subjunctive.

Question 45

# Translate to Spanish: **TO KNOW (Present Subjunctive)** * that I know * that you know * that he/she know * that we know * that you all know * that they know

Answer 45

**SABER (Presente de Subjuntivo)** * que yo sepa * que tú sepas * que él/ella/Ud sepa * que nosotros sepamos * que vosotros sepáis * que ellos/ellas sepan

Question 46

# Translate to Spanish: It's important _that you all know_ how to speak Spanish

Answer 46

Es importante _que sepáis_ hablar español ## Footnote that you all know - *que vosotros sepáis*. Remember that impersonal phrases like "it's important that," *es importante que*, as a rule, take the subjunctive.

Question 47

# Translate to Spanish: **TO GIVE (Present Subjunctive)** * that I give * that you give * that he/she give * that we give * that you all give * that they give

Answer 47

**DAR (Presente de Subjuntivo)** * que yo dé * que tú des * que él/ella/Ud dé * que nosotros demos * que vosotros deis * que ellos/ellas den

Question 48

# Translate to Spanish: My brother wants _me to give_ him the money

Answer 48

Mi hermano quiere _que yo_ le _dé_ el dinero ## Footnote that I give - *que yo dé*. The accent in *dé* is used to distinguish it from *de*, "of."*Dé* is pronounced with slightly more force than its accentless counterpart.

Question 49

# Translate to Spanish: _I don't doubt that_ she speaks Spanish well

Answer 49

_No dudo que_ ella habla bien español ## Footnote I don't doubt that - *no dudo que*. Note the expression "I don't doubt that" must be followed by the indicative, instead of the subjunctive. This is because it essentially expresses certainty.

Question 50

# Translate to Spanish: _I think that_ my brother is sick

Answer 50

_Pienso que_ mi hermano está enfermo ## Footnote Note that the construction *pensar que* is followed by the indicative.

Question 51

# Translate to Spanish: _I don't think that_ my brother is sick

Answer 51

_No pienso que_ mi hermano esté enfermo ## Footnote Note that the construction *no pensar que* is followed by the subjunctive because it denotes doubt or uncertainty.