Subjunctive

Question 1

I believe it to be true.
I don’t believe it to be true.

Answer 1

Creo que es verdad.
No creo que sea verdad.

The first is certain, so indicative.
The second is expressing doubt, so subjunctive.

Question 2

as long as
(give 2 expressions)

Answer 2

siempre y cuando
con tal de que (can also mean “provided that”)

(always triggers subjunctive)

Question 3

Make sure you lock the door.
Make sure the door is locked.

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

I painted the house so it would sell faster.

Answer 4

“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

Question 5

Do you want me to set the table?

Answer 5

Quieres que ponga la mesa?

Question 6

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.

Answer 6

“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.

Question 7

I give chocolate to my wife so she knows I love her.

Answer 7

para que + subj
Le regalo chocolate a mi esposa para que sepa que la quiero.

Question 8

I want a chair that is comfortable.

Answer 8

Quiero una silla que sea cómoda.
non-specific uses subjunctive
(specific uses indicative)

Question 9

by the time

Answer 9

para cuando

Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment

Question 10

If I had not moved to Mexico, I would not have met you.

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

I want you to paint the house so we can sell it faster.

Answer 11

Quiero que pintes la casa para que podamas venderla más rápido.

Question 12

I prefer that you stay in the house.

Answer 12

Preferio que te quedes en casa.

Question 13

I hope you recuperate soon.

Answer 13

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

Question 14

I am sure you are right.
I am not sure that you are right.

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

as if

Answer 15

como si

(always triggers subjunctive)

Question 16

She talks as if she knows it all.

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

as soon as, when
(give 2 expressions)

Answer 17

tan pronto como
en cuanto

Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment

Question 18

before (something happens)

Before the movie starts, I have to buy popcorn.

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

such that
(give 2 expressions)

Answer 19

así que
así como

Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment

Question 20

I instist that you tell me the truth.

Answer 20

Insistir en…
Insisto en que me digas la verdad.

Question 21

Do you want me to clear the table?

Answer 21

Quires que levante la mesa?

Question 22

Kimmy asked Jimmy to help her paint her house.

Answer 22

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).

Question 23

in case of

Answer 23

en caso de que

(always triggers subjunctive)

Question 24

Advise me when you have the information.

Answer 24

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

Question 25

so that in order that (give 2 expressions)

Answer 25

para que a fin de que (always trigger the subjunctive)

Question 26

To hope for something. To wish for something.

Answer 26

Ojalá (que) + present subjunctive To hope for something Ojalá (que) + imperfect subjunctive To wish for something

Question 27

I don't think he is lying. I think he is lying.

Answer 27

No creo que esté mintiendo. Creo que está mintiendo. The first is expressing doubt so it is subjunctive. The

Question 28

Do you want me to pay the bill?

Answer 28

Quieres que pague la cuenta?

Question 29

I recommend you wake up early.

Answer 29

Recomiendo que te acuestes temprano.

Question 30

I am going **to wait for** it to stop raining.

Answer 30

Voy a **esperar a que **termine de llover. esperar que + subj = to hope for something to occur. esperar a que + subj = to wait for something to occur esperar terminar de + infinitive = to stop doing something. (same as dejar de)

Question 31

despite, in spite of

Answer 31

a pesar de que Use subjunctive if: Uncertainty of completion; or Sentence used to comment

Question 32

Alicia *says* that Esteban **is** tired

Answer 32

Alicia *dice* que Esteban **está** cansado. Verbs related to communication, such as ***decir*** and insistir en, can be used either to convey information or to exert influence. When used to exert influence, verbs like decir and insistir en are followed by the subjunctive.

Question 33

I want you **to study** the subjunctive.

Answer 33

Quiero que + subj Quiero que estudie el subjuntiva.

Question 34

Please leave me alone before I lose my patience.

Answer 34

Déjame en paz antes de que pierda la paciencia. ● Uncertainty of completion + anticipation. ● When this was said, the speaker was talking about a future event and couldn’t have been sure it would ever happen (me losing my patience).

Question 35

You will only learn Spanish if you keep studying.

Answer 35

Solo aprenderás español si sigues estudiando. You will only learn Spanish if you keep studying. INDICATIVE ● When the main clause is in the future (aprenderás), the adverb clause with “si” goes in the normal present tense (sigues). 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.

Question 36

once

Answer 36

una vez que Use subjunctive if: Uncertainty of completion; or Sentence used to comment

Question 37

My parents **insist that I wake up** early.

Answer 37

Mis padres **insisten *en* que me despierte** temprano. When used simply to convey information, the verb that follows a verb of communication is in the indicative but when used to exert influence, verbs like decir and insistir en are followed by the subjunctive

Question 38

I always get up when the rooster starts to crow.

Answer 38

Siempre me levanto cuando el gallo **comienza** a cantar. Because this is a habitual action, use the indicative. If it were "we're going to get up when the rooster starts to crow," it would be **comience** (subjunctive) because the action in the first clause comes after that in the second.

Question 39

I hope that there is not much traffic.

Answer 39

I hope that = Ojalá (que) + present subjunctive Ojalá que no haya mucho tráfico. Espero que no haya mucho tráfico.

Question 40

although, even though

Answer 40

aunque Use subjunctive if: Uncertainty of completion; or Sentence used to comment

Question 41

Why did you paint the house? So it sells faster.

Answer 41

Por qué pintaste la casa? Para que se venda más rápido. (se is used because its passive voice construction) note question is past tense, ok not to have tense agreement because answer is in present.

Question 42

I work a lot **so** my wife and I can go on vacation twice a year.

Answer 42

Para que + subj Trabajo mucho **para que **mi esposa y yo **podamas** irnos de vacaciones dos veces al año. Notes: 2 times/year = dos veces **al** año. irse de vacaciones = to go on vacation.

Question 43

I hope there is a table in the shade.

Answer 43

Ojalá que haya una mesa en la sombra.

Question 44

no matter how much (give 2 expressions)

Answer 44

por más que por mucho que Use subjunctive if: Uncertainty of completion; or Sentence used to comment

Question 45

without

Answer 45

sin que (always triggers the subjunctive)

Question 46

**I'm looking for someone who can** help me with my homework.

Answer 46

**Busco alguien que pueda** ayudarme con mi tarea. Busco alguien que pueda + (verb in infinitive) Estoy buscando is correct too.

Question 47

I think you are wrong. I don't think you're wrong.

Answer 47

Pienso que te **equivocas**. No pienso que te **equivoques**. Expressing doubt triggers subjunctive. Certainty requires indicative. Equivocarse (pronominal/reflexive verb) Meaning: "To be wrong" or "to make a mistake." Usage: Does not take a direct object. The subject refers to themselves and acknowledges making a mistake. Focus: The subject makes an error (on their own). Equivocar (transitive verb) Meaning: "To make something wrong" or "to cause an error." Usage: Requires a direct object. Someone actively causes or makes a mistake with something (e.g., a decision, a number, etc.). Focus: The action is performed on an object. example: No equivoques la dirección. (Don’t get the address wrong.)

Question 48

**When you have time**, can you do me a favor?

Answer 48

**Cuando tengas tiempo**, ¿puedes hacerme un favor? Cuando tengas tiempo, ¿me haces un favor?

Question 49

In response to a question: **I wish it too.**

Answer 49

**Si. Ojalá.**

Question 50

What do you want me to do?

Answer 50

Qué quieres que haga?

Question 51

**As soon as you have** the information...

Answer 51

**En cuanto tengas** la información... En cuanto a = in reference to En cuanto = as soon as

Question 52

I told him to advise me when he arrived.

Answer 52

Le dije que me avisara cuando llegara.

Question 53

You would be so much happier if you exercised a little more.

Answer 53

Serías mucho más feliz **si hicieras** un poco más de ejercicio. ● This is the “special construction” with “si”. ○ When the main clause is in a conditional tense (serías), the adverb clause with “si” goes in a past subjunctive tense (hicieras). 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.

Question 54

**We plan to go** to the beach when it stops raining.

Answer 54

Pensamos ir a la playa cuando deje de llover. Pensar + infinitive = to plan to do something.

Question 55

in such a way that

Answer 55

de modo que de manera que Use subjunctive if: Uncertainty of completion; or Sentence used to comment

Question 56

unless

Answer 56

a menos que a no ser que (always triggers subjunctive)

Question 57

**I am looking for someone who knows how to** mend clothes.

Answer 57

**Busco (a) alguien que sepa** remendar ropa. (since it's not specific the personal "a" is optional. But if it were "I'm looking for *the* woman who knows how to... ) Busca (a) alguien que sepa + (verb in infinitive) I'm looking for someone who knows how to (do something). Estoy buscando is correct too.

Question 58

as if nothing had happened.

Answer 58

como si nada hubiera pasado as if, as though = como si + imperfect subjunctive (in this case, the pluperfect 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.

Question 59

I want *the* chair that **is** comfortable.

Answer 59

Quiero *la* silla que **es** cómoda. specific uses indicative (non-specific uses subjunctive)

Question 60

That happened **before I was born**.

Answer 60

antes de que + subj Eso pasó **antes de que yo naciera**. "naciera" is in the past subjunctive because it represents an action (your birth) that happened before the main past action and is, therefore, a hypothetical or uncertain event in relation to your birth. Antes de que ALWAYS takes the subjunctive.

Question 61

**Once** you have the information...

Answer 61

**Una vez que** tengas la información... Una vez que = once, when

Question 62

I make videos like this **so** you can improve your Spanish.

Answer 62

Para que + subj so (to express purpose or intent) Hago videos como este **para que** puedas mejorar tu español.

Question 63

I wish I could

Answer 63

Ojalá (que) pudiera. Ojalá (que) + imp subj = I wish... (with pres subj = I hope)

Question 64

If you can come, let me know.

Answer 64

Si puedes venir, me avisas, por favor. In conditional sentences with si (if), the indicative is used for real or likely situations, as in this case. 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.