Usage of the Present Subjunctive

1. As commands:

Comamos en el restaurante El Pueblo.

Let’s eat at El Pueblo Restaurant.

Abran sus libros en la pagina diez.

Open your books to page 10.

This is the ONLY time the subjunctivewill be used as the main verb in a simple sentence.

2. Complex Sentences

There are three conditions that must be metin order to use the subjunctive:

a. There must be a dependent clause introduced by the word “que” (that).

I hope that you have enough moneyto buy the book.

In English “that” is optional. In Spanish it isrequired!

b. The subject of the main clause is different than the subject of the dependent clause.

I hope that you have enough moneyto buy the book.

c. The verb in the main clause MUST express doubt, desire, uncertainty, emotion or command.

Verbs/Impersonal Expressions that take the Subjunctive

esperar to hope dudar to doubt

negar (ie) to deny temer to be afraid

querer to want recomendar to recommend

es dudoso it’s doubtful es posible it’s possible

es probable it’s probable es necesario it’s necessary

gustar to like preferir to prefer

If one of these is the main verb AND you haveconditions a AND b, then you need the subjunctive.

Example:El consejero recomienda que yo tome álgebra.

b. c. a. b.

Example:Es posible que yo tome álgebra. b. c. a. b.

If the main verb of the sentence does NOTexpress doubt, desire, uncertainty, emotionor a command, then use the Indicative!

Expressions that do NOT take Subjunctive

estar seguroto be sure

creerto believe

pensar (ie)

to think

saberto know

es cierto es evidenteit is certain it is evident

es verdad no hay dudait is true there is no doubt

Example:Es cierto que no tenemos el examen hoy. It is certain we don’t have a test today.

Yo creo que Marta es bonita.I think that Martha is pretty.

If there is no change of subject (ie.“que”) in thesentence, then use the INFINITIVE.

Yo quiero que tú comas ahora.

BUT

Yo quiero comer ahora.