B1Spanish · Grammar

Subjunctive: irregular

A lesson from the B1 course: the rule, examples and a 20-sentence test. The course is reviewed by people.

Go to the test Download PDF

Lesson

The Present Subjunctive: Irregular Verbs 🤯

Hello there! Today, we're diving into the world of the Spanish Subjunctive, focusing on its most exciting part – irregular verbs! The Subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, emotions, doubts, opinions, or necessities. Unlike the Indicative mood, it doesn't describe facts but rather the speaker's subjective attitude or perspective.

Remember, the Subjunctive often appears in subordinate clauses, introduced by que after certain expressions (e.g., Espero que... – I hope that..., Quiero que... – I want that...).

Introductory Expression + que + Subject + Present Subjunctive Verb

Types of Irregularities

  • Verbs with an irregular yo form in the Present Indicative: Many verbs that have an irregular yo form in the Present Indicative (e.g., hago from hacer) derive their irregular stem for the entire Present Subjunctive from this yo form.
  • Stem-changing verbs: These verbs change the vowel in their stem (e>ie, o>ue, e>i). In the Present Subjunctive, these changes occur in all persons except nosotros/vosotros. Additionally, -IR verbs (e.g., dormir, sentir, pedir) have a further vowel reduction in nosotros/vosotros (e>i, o>u).
  • Completely irregular verbs: A few verbs have unique, irregular forms that simply need to be memorised.

Examples of Irregular Verbs

Here are some of the most important irregular verbs in the Present Subjunctive:

Verb (Infinitive)yotúél/ella/Ud.nosotros/asvosotros/asellos/as/Uds.
serseaseasseaseamosseáissean
irvayavayasvayavayamosvayáisvayan
sabersepasepassepasepamossepáissepan
haberhayahayashayahayamoshayáishayan
estarestéestésestéestemosestéisestén
dardédesdédemosdeisden
Do you remember these 6 verbs? They're easy to remember with the acronym DISSHES (D-ar, I-r, S-er, S-aber, H-aber, E-star)! These are the most irregular ones!
Verb (Infinitive)yotúél/ella/Ud.nosotros/asvosotros/asellos/as/Uds.
hacerhagahagashagahagamoshagáishagan
tenertengatengastengatengamostengáistengan
conocerconozcaconozcasconozcaconozcamosconozcáisconozcan

For stem-changing verbs like pensar (e>ie), volver (o>ue), or pedir (e>i), the vowel change is maintained in all persons except nosotros/vosotros. For -IR verbs (e.g., dormir, sentir, pedir), there's a further vowel reduction in nosotros/vosotros (e>i, o>u).

Verb (Infinitive)yotúél/ella/Ud.nosotros/asvosotros/asellos/as/Uds.
pensar (e>ie)piensepiensespiensepensemospenséispiensen
volver (o>ue)vuelvavuelvasvuelvavolvamosvolváisvuelvan
pedir (e>i)pidapidaspidapidamospidáispidan

Espero que hagas tu cama.

I hope that you make your bed.

No creo que vuelvan tarde.

I don't think they'll come back late.

Watch out! ⚠️ A common mistake is using Indicative forms instead of the Subjunctive, especially after expressions like no creo que (I don't think that) or espero que (I hope that). Always double-check if the context requires the Subjunctive!

Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use these irregular Subjunctive forms, the more natural they'll become. ¡Mucha suerte! ✨

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

    No creo que en casa a estas horas.

    I don't think they are at home at this time.

  2. 2

    Complete the sentence

    Espero que este consejo te de algo.

    I hope this advice is of some use to you.

  3. 3

    Complete the sentence

    Te sugiero que a caminar un poco.

    I suggest you go out for a short walk.

  4. 4

    Complete the sentence

    Le pido que el libro en la estantería.

    I'm asking him to put the book on the shelf.

  5. 5

    Complete the sentence

    Mis padres quieren que yo les un regalo.

    My parents want me to give them a present.

  6. 6

    Complete the sentence

    Espero que la cama antes de salir.

    I hope you will make the bed before you leave.

  7. 7

    Complete the sentence

    Quiero que al cine esta noche.

    I want us to go to the cinema tonight.

  8. 8

    Complete the sentence

    No creo que lo mismo que yo.

    I don't think you think the same as I do.

  9. 9

    Type the missing word

    Quiero que el vestido que más te guste.

    I want you to choose the dress you like the most.

  10. 10

    Type the missing word

    Quiero que la música más alta.

    I want them to put the music on louder.

  11. 11

    Type the missing word

    Mis padres quieren que a visitarlos.

    My parents want us to come and visit them.

  12. 12

    Type the missing word

    Dudo que ella la respuesta a esa pregunta.

    I doubt she knows the answer to that question.

  13. 13

    Type the missing word

    Mi jefe me pide que les mi informe.

    My boss asks me to give them my report.

  14. 14

    Type the missing word

    Quiero que bien esta noche.

    I want you to sleep well tonight.

  15. 15

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I'm asking you to pick up the dirty clothes from the floor.

  16. 16

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    It's a pity we don't feel the same.

  17. 17

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I hope you keep studying hard for the exam.

  18. 18

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    I hope you understand what I'm explaining to you.

  19. 19

    Build the missing word from the letters

    Me sorprende que el vino blanco.

    I'm surprised that we prefer white wine.

  20. 20

    Match each word to its meaning

Printable test

The full test as a PDF with an answer key — print it for yourself or for a class.

Download PDF

Practise this set in the app

Palabrify brings the words back at the right moment — with games, reviews and progress you can see.

App Store Google Play