37 16th Common Phrases using the subjunctive

Question 1

O sea… That is…

Answer 1

The most common expression that you’ll hear. “O sea” means “that is”, “in other words”, “or rather”, “that is to say”. You’ll hear it all the time, almost as a verbal tic among native Spanish speakers across the Spanish speaking world.

Question 2

No matter how, at any cost

Answer 2

Sea como sea

Question 3

Whenever

cuando sea, a quien sea.
I am very happy to put that in writing anywhere, any time to anyone.

Answer 3

Cuando sea

No me importaría poner eso por escrito donde sea, cuando sea, a quien sea.

Question 4

whether it be for x or y

Answer 4

Ya sea por x o y
You can use ya sea por to mean “whether”, and this usually comes with an “or”, for example: ya sea por motivos de trabajo o diversión (“whether it be for reasons of work or fun”)

Question 5

Aunque means “although”, and aunque sea is one of the most common constructions you’ll hear.

Answer 5

Learn these phrases using “aunque” sea to build fluency in your conversation:

Question 6

Although it’s a little/not much

Answer 6

Aunque sea poco

Question 7

Although it’s difficult

Answer 7

Aunque sea difícil

Question 8

Although it’s small

Answer 8

Aunque sea pequeño

Question 9

Aunque sea duro – Although it’s difficult/tough

Answer 9

Aunque sea duro

Question 10

Ojalá stands out as a Spanish word, and it is always followed by the subjunctive. The history of this little word is fascinating – it’s originally from the Arabic Insha’Allah!, meaning “If God wills”.

Answer 10

Today it’s used to mean “I hope”, or “may it be so”. Here are some of the most common phrases using ojalá:

Question 11

Ojalá sea pronto – I hope it is soon

Answer 11

Ojalá sea pronto

Question 12

I hope you can help me

Answer 12

Ojalá puedas ayudarme

Question 13

I wish there were more

Answer 13

Ojalá hubiera más

Question 14

I hope he/she/it arrives

Answer 14

Ojalá llegue

Question 15

Ojalá que

Answer 15

Although purists sometimes argue that ojalá que is incorrect, in everday Spanish it is used all the time. Here are some phrases using ojalá que:

Question 16

I hope it turns out ok

Answer 16

Ojalá que salga bien

Question 17

I hope it’s been…

Answer 17

Ojalá que haya sido…

Question 18

Phrases with cuando

Answer 18

Cuando is often used with the subjunctive. It’s usually used with a verb to refer to some future action or event which is not yet a reality (hence the use of the subjunctive):

Question 19

When it’s necessary

Answer 19

Cuando sea necesario

Question 20

When it’s done

Answer 20

Cuando esté hecho

Question 21

Cuando esté conmigo – When it/he/she is with me

Answer 21

Cuando esté conmigo

Question 22

When you have time

Answer 22

Cuando tengas tiempo

Question 23

When he/she/it arrives

Answer 23

Cuando venga –

Question 24

When he/she it leaves

Answer 24

Cuando salga

Question 25

Phrases with quiero que

Answer 25

Quiero que (I want) almost always takes the subjunctive, as it refers to the imposition of will or desire. These very common short phrases illustrate that perfectly:

Question 26

I want you to know

Answer 26

Quiero que sepas

Question 27

I want him/her/it to return

Answer 27

Quiero que vuelva

Question 28

Phrases with para que

Answer 28

Para que means “so that”, and is often used with the subjunctive:

Question 29

So that you see

Answer 29

Para que veas

Question 30

So that it works

Answer 30

Para que funcione

Question 31

So that you know

Answer 31

Para que sepas

Question 32

Impersonal expressions with the Spanish subjunctive

Answer 32

An impersonal expression simply means that no personal pronoun (ie, yo, tú, usted, etc) is used. These take the form “es ADJECTIVE que”, and are often followed by the subjunctive. Note that when you are sure about the result of something, or affirming the reality of something, the indicative is used (e.g. Es cierto que sabe):

Question 33

It’s possible that there is…

Answer 33

Es posible que haya

Question 34

It’s probable that it’s…

Answer 34

Es probable que sea

Question 35

Es importante que sepas – It’s important that you know

Answer 35

Es importante que sepas

Question 36

It’s possible that it exists

Answer 36

Es posible que exista