Subjunctive Flashcards
Using Qroo Paul. Finished Video 12. then added adverb clause stuff from Spanish Dude
I believe it to be true.
I don’t believe it to be true.
Creo que es verdad.
No creo que sea verdad.
The first is certain, so indicative.
The second is expressing doubt, so subjunctive.
as long as
(give 2 expressions)
siempre y cuando
con tal de que (can also mean “provided that”)
(always triggers subjunctive)
Make sure you lock the door.
Make sure the door is locked.
asegúrate de + infinitive (no subject change)
Asegúrate de cerrar la puerta con llave.
asegúrate de que + indicative (subject change)
Asegúrate de que la puerta está cerrado con llave.
asegúrate de que + subjunctive (subject change)
Asegúrate de que la puerta esté cerrado con llave.
There is just a subtle difference between the last two; with the subjunctive you are trying to exert influence (much more common) while the indicative is more about just confirming that its closed.
I painted the house so it would sell faster.
“would” triggers* imperfect subjunctive*
Pinté la casa para que se vendiera más rápido.
The “se” in “se vendiera” creates a passive voice equivalent, where the subject (the house) is not performing the action but is receiving it.
In English, this is often translated as “it was sold” or “it would sell.”
The focus is on the action happening to the subject (the house), without mentioning the agent (the person who sells it).
á
Do you want me to set the table?
Quieres que ponga la mesa?
1) If Juan arrives soon, I’ll give him the letter.
2) If I were rich, I would buy a house.
3) If you had known you didn’t want to go, I would not have invited you.
“If” only triggers subjunctive in hypothetical cases - when it does, you use the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive.
Only 2 and 3 are hypothetical; the word “would” is a giveaway.
1. Si Juan llega pronto, le daré la carta.
2. Si yo fuera rica, me compraría una casa.
3. Si yo hubería sabido que no querías ir, no te habría invitado.
I give chocolate to my wife so she knows I love her.
para que + subj
Le regalo chocolate a mi esposa para que sepa que la quiero.
I want a chair that is comfortable.
Quiero una silla que sea cómoda.
non-specific uses subjunctive
(specific uses indicative)
by the time
para cuando
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
If I had not moved to Mexico, I would not have met you.
Si no me hubiera mudado a México, no te habría conocido.
hubiera is subjunctive (imperfect) because its after “si”; habría is conditional. Those two tenses always work together.
Key: look for the “would” to know that’s in conditional so the other must be subjunctive.
Si: Step-by-Step Process
Determine the type of condition:
Is it realistic (real/possible), contrary to fact in the present (hypothetical), or about a past event that didn’t happen (unreal past)?
Choose the mood:
Indicative: Real/possible conditions.
Subjunctive: Hypothetical or unreal conditions.
Select the tense based on timeframe:
Present for real conditions, past subjunctive for hypothetical present/future, and past perfect subjunctive for unreal past.
I want you to paint the house so we can sell it faster.
Quiero que pintes la casa para que podamas venderla más rápido.
I prefer that you stay in the house.
Preferio que te quedes en casa.
I hope you recuperate soon.
espero que + subjunctive
Espero que te recuperes pronto.
verb: recuperarse
esperar que + subj = to hope for something to occur
esperar a que + subj = to wait for something to occur
I am sure you are right.
I am not sure that you are right.
Estoy seguro de que tienes razón.
No estoy seguro de que tengas razón.
The first is certain, so indicative.
The second is expressing doubt, so subjunctive.
as if
como si
(always triggers subjunctive)
She talks as if she knows it all.
Ella habla como si lo supiera todo.
As if, as though = como si + imperfect subjunctive.
Si: Step-by-Step Process
Determine the type of condition:
Is it realistic (real/possible), contrary to fact in the present (hypothetical), or about a past event that didn’t happen (unreal past)?
Choose the mood:
Indicative: Real/possible conditions.
Subjunctive: Hypothetical or unreal conditions.
Select the tense based on timeframe:
Present for real conditions, past subjunctive for hypothetical present/future, and past perfect subjunctive for unreal past.
as soon as, when
(give 2 expressions)
tan pronto como
en cuanto
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
before (something happens)
Before the movie starts, I have to buy popcorn.
antes de que + subj
Antes de que la película empiece, tengo que comprar palomitas.
could put ante clause after instead.
The present indicative is yo empiezo. with z endings, for subjunctive , you change it to a c (just like you do with the preterite yo form, yo empecé).
Antes de que ALWAYS take the subjunctive.
such that
(give 2 expressions)
así que
así como
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
I instist that you tell me the truth.
Insistir en…
Insisto en que me digas la verdad.
Do you want me to clear the table?
Quires que levante la mesa?
Kimmy asked Jimmy to help her paint her house.
Kimmy le pidió a Jimmy que la ayudara a pintar su casa.
(Kimmy asked to Jimmy that he helped her paint her house.)
NOUN CLAUSE
● Tells us WHAT Kimmy “asked” or “pidió” of Jimmy (that he help her paint her house).
in case of
en caso de que
(always triggers subjunctive)
Advise me when you have the information.
Avisáme cuando tengas la información.
Avisáme cuando + subjunctive
Advise me when…
If there are at least 2 clauses in a sentence and the action in one is dependent on the action in the other taking place first, then you need the subjunctive in the action that comes first.
avisar = to advise, to tell
so that
in order that
(give 2 expressions)
para que
a fin de que
(always trigger the subjunctive)
