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)
To hope for something.
To wish for something.
Ojalá (que) + present subjunctive
To hope for something
Ojalá (que) + imperfect subjunctive
To wish for something
I don’t think he is lying.
I think he is lying.
No creo que esté mintiendo.
Creo que está mintiendo.
The first is expressing doubt so it is subjunctive.
The
Do you want me to pay the bill?
Quieres que pague la cuenta?
I recommend you wake up early.
Recomiendo que te acuestes temprano.
I am going to wait for it to stop raining.
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)
despite, in spite of
a pesar de que
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
Alicia says that Esteban is tired
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.
I want you to study the subjunctive.
Quiero que + subj
Quiero que estudie el subjuntiva.
Please leave me alone before I lose my patience.
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).
You will only learn Spanish if you keep studying.
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.
once
una vez que
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
My parents insist that I wake up early.
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
I always get up when the rooster starts to crow.
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.
I hope that there is not much traffic.
I hope that = Ojalá (que) + present subjunctive
Ojalá que no haya mucho tráfico.
Espero que no haya mucho tráfico.
although, even though
aunque
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
Why did you paint the house?
So it sells faster.
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.
I work a lot so my wife and I can go on vacation twice a year.
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.
I hope there is a table in the shade.
Ojalá que haya una mesa en la sombra.
no matter how much
(give 2 expressions)
por más que
por mucho que
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
without
sin que
(always triggers the subjunctive)
I’m looking for someone who can help me with my homework.
Busco alguien que pueda ayudarme con mi tarea.
Busco alguien que pueda + (verb in infinitive)
Estoy buscando is correct too.
I think you are wrong.
I don’t think you’re wrong.
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.)
When you have time, can you do me a favor?
Cuando tengas tiempo, ¿puedes hacerme un favor?
Cuando tengas tiempo, ¿me haces un favor?
In response to a question:
I wish it too.
Si. Ojalá.
What do you want me to do?
Qué quieres que haga?
As soon as you have the information…
En cuanto tengas la información…
En cuanto a = in reference to
En cuanto = as soon as
I told him to advise me when he arrived.
Le dije que me avisara cuando llegara.
You would be so much happier if you exercised a little more.
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.
We plan to go to the beach when it stops raining.
Pensamos ir a la playa cuando deje de llover.
Pensar + infinitive = to plan to do something.
in such a way that
de modo que
de manera que
Use subjunctive if:
Uncertainty of completion; or
Sentence used to comment
unless
a menos que
a no ser que
(always triggers subjunctive)
I am looking for someone who knows how to mend clothes.
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.
as if nothing had happened.
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.
I want the chair that is comfortable.
Quiero la silla que es cómoda.
specific uses indicative
(non-specific uses subjunctive)
That happened before I was born.
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.
Once you have the information…
Una vez que tengas la información…
Una vez que = once, when
I make videos like this so you can improve your Spanish.
Para que + subj
so (to express purpose or intent)
Hago videos como este para que puedas mejorar tu español.
I wish I could
Ojalá (que) pudiera.
Ojalá (que) + imp subj = I wish…
(with pres subj = I hope)
If you can come, let me know.
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.
