B1Spanish · Grammar

Subjunctive: hopes, feelings

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The Subjunctive Mood: Expressing Wishes, Emotions, and Advice in Spanish

Hello there! 🎉 Today we're diving into the fascinating world of the Spanish Subjunctive mood. It's a crucial element that will allow you to express yourself like a true Spaniard, especially when talking about your wishes, feelings, or giving advice.

In English, we often use modal verbs (like 'may' or 'should') or infinitives to express what requires the Subjunctive in Spanish. Remember, the Subjunctive usually appears in complex sentences where there are two different subjects and we're expressing something that isn't certain, but rather a wish, an emotion, a doubt, or a piece of advice.

Main Clause (Indicative) + QUE + Subordinate Clause (Subjunctive)

How to Form the Present Subjunctive (Presente de Subjuntivo)

Forming the Present Subjunctive for regular verbs is quite straightforward! Take the 'yo' form from the Present Indicative, drop the '-o' ending, and then add the "opposite" endings:

  • For verbs ending in -AR (e.g. hablar), add the endings from the -ER/-IR group: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
  • For verbs ending in -ER/-IR (e.g. comer, vivir), add the endings from the -AR group: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
Pronoun-AR (hablar)-ER (comer)-IR (vivir)
yohablecomaviva
túhablescomasvivas
él/ella/ustedhablecomaviva
nosotros/ashablemoscomamosvivamos
vosotros/ashabléiscomáisviváis
ellos/ellas/ustedeshablencomanvivan
Watch out for irregular verbs! 🚨 Some verbs have irregular forms in the Subjunctive, and you'll need to memorise them. These include: ser (sea), ir (vaya), haber (haya), dar (dé), saber (sepa), estar (esté).
Pronounserirhaberdarsaberestar
yoseavayahayadésepaesté
túseasvayashayasdessepasestés
él/ella/ustedseavayahayadésepaesté
nosotros/asseamosvayamoshayamosdemossepamosestemos
vosotros/asseáisvayáishayáisdeissepáisestéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesseanvayanhayandensepanestén

When to Use the Subjunctive?

  • Wishes and Hopes (Deseos y esperanzas) 🌠: We use it when we want to express what we desire, hope for, or wish for someone. Often after phrases like Espero que... (I hope that...), Quiero que... (I want you to...), Ojalá que... (Hopefully...).
  • Emotions and Feelings (Emociones y sentimientos) 😊: When we talk about what makes us happy, sad, angry, or surprised. After expressions like Me alegra que... (It makes me happy that...), Siento que... (I'm sorry that...), Me molesta que... (It annoys me that...).
  • Advice, Recommendations, and Suggestions (Consejos, recomendaciones y sugerencias) 💡: When we advise, suggest, or recommend something to someone. After phrases such as: Te aconsejo que... (I advise you to...), Recomiendo que... (I recommend that...), Es importante que... (It's important that...).

Espero que vengas a mi fiesta.

I hope you come to my party.

Me alegra que te sientas feliz.

It makes me happy that you feel happy.

Es importante que estudiéis mucho.

It's important that you (plural) study a lot.

No creo que sea verdad.
No creo que es verdad.

When expressing doubt or negation (No creo que...), we use the Subjunctive.

Remember, the Subjunctive is a subjective mood! We use it when talking about what's in our heads: our wishes, fears, or opinions that aren't facts. Think of it as a magic key to expressing yourself in a more personal and emotional way! ✨

Practise regularly, and the Subjunctive will become your best friend! ¡Mucha suerte! (Good luck!)

Test yourself

20 questions. Answer them all, then check — you'll see what you got right and what to fix.

  1. 1

    Complete the sentence

    Espero que un buen trabajo.

    I hope you look for a good job.

  2. 2

    Complete the sentence

    Ojalá que la mesa.

    I hope you set the table.

  3. 3

    Complete the sentence

    Espero que un buen trabajo.

    I hope you look for a good job.

  4. 4

    Complete the sentence

    Ojalá que la película.

    I hope we see the film.

  5. 5

    Complete the sentence

    Me gusta que en mí.

    I like that you believe in me.

  6. 6

    Complete the sentence

    Es mejor que ahora.

    It's better if you decide now.

  7. 7

    Complete the sentence

    Es una pena que no venir.

    It's a shame you can't come.

  8. 8

    Complete the sentence

    Te recomiendo que la ventana.

    I recommend you open the window.

  9. 9

    Type the missing word

    Me alegra que a mi familia.

    I'm glad you are meeting my family.

  10. 10

    Type the missing word

    Queremos que aquí.

    We want you to wait here.

  11. 11

    Type the missing word

    Es importante que a tiempo.

    It's important that you arrive on time.

  12. 12

    Type the missing word

    Deseo que juntos.

    I hope they work together.

  13. 13

    Type the missing word

    Es importante que a pasear.

    It is important that you go out for a walk.

  14. 14

    Type the missing word

    Ojalá que juntos este verano.

    I hope we travel together this summer.

  15. 15

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I hope they work together.

  16. 16

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I hope we travel together this summer.

  17. 17

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I ask you to explain the situation.

  18. 18

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    It's important that you live near work.

  19. 19

    Build the missing word from the letters

    Le aconsejo que más horas.

    I advise him to sleep longer.

  20. 20

    Match each word to its meaning

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