THE SUBJUNCTIVE

What is the subjunctive?

It is uncertain

???

- It’s used to express uncertainty No creo que sepas. (I don’t think you know.)

Indicative vs. Subjunctive

The indicative expresses a plain statement of fact.

The subjunctive is used after verbs and

expressions that involve uncertainty.

Haces ejercicio.Es necesario que

hagas ejercicio.You exercise. It’s necessary that you

exercise.

Indicative vs. Subjunctive

In the previous example:

Es necesario que hagas ejercicio.

Someone needs to exercise, but will they?

Because we don’t know, (it is uncertain) we use the subjunctive.

So, how do we form the subjunctive?

Forming the subjunctive

Remember how to make usted commands?

Take the yo form correr Yo corroChange ending:Ar: eEr/ir: a

corro corra

What does this have to do with the subjunctive?

Forming the subjunctive

The subjunctive is formed the same way:

Take the yo form correr Yo corroChange ending:Ar: e +Er/ir: a +

corro corra

?Indicative subjunctive

Why is there a + after e or a?

Forming the subjunctive

+ = more letters.

Yo coma

Are these letters in red the same as those in our conjugation chart?

watch

Tú comas

Ella coma

Nosotros comamos

Vosotros comáis

Ellos coman

Forming the subjunctive

Yes they are. Remember:

1-Begin w/yo form2-switch ending: ar-> e+

er/ir->a+

3- add letters from chart (if necessary)

Need something simpler?

Forming the subjunctive

If the rules I mentioned before are too confusing, you can try memorizing the endings (like we did with the present tense)

-ar -> e+Yo Cante Nosotros cantemosTú cantes Vosotros cantáisElla cante Ellos canten

Forming the subjunctive

–er and –ir verbs share the same endings

-er -> a+Yo comaTú comasElla comaNosotros comamosVosotros comáisEllos coman

-ir -> a+Yo vivaTú vivasElla vivaNosotros vivamosVosotros viváisEllos vivan