Spanish Present SubjunctiveFormation and use of the present subjunctive, including regular verbs and irregular verbs such as ser, estar, ir, tener, haber, saber, and dar.

The subjunctive mood in Spanish is used to express situations that are uncertain, hypothetical, or subjective, such as desires, doubts, emotions, and possibilities. It differs from the indicative mood, which is generally used to present facts, information, or situations viewed as real.

The present subjunctive usually refers to an action that is happening now, may happen in the future, or is viewed as incomplete. It commonly appears in a subordinate clause introduced by que, especially when the main clause expresses a desire, emotion, doubt, necessity, or uncertainty.

For comparison, the present indicative is used to state facts and routine actions, as in Ella trabaja aquí. She works here.

The present subjunctive is used in a variety of situations, most commonly to express the following:

• Desires: Espero que tengas un buen día. I hope you have a good day.
• Emotions: Me alegra que estés aquí. I'm glad you're here.
• Doubt: Dudo que venga mañana. I doubt he will come tomorrow.
• Uncertainty: Es posible que llueva hoy. It is possible that it will rain today.

It is also used after expressions of necessity or importance, such as Es necesario que estudies. It is necessary for you to study.

To form the present subjunctive of most regular verbs, start with the first-person singular form of the present indicative, remove the final -o, and add the subjunctive endings. The -ar endings are -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en. The -er and -ir endings are -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.

Present subjunctive of -ar verbs: hablar

Present subjunctive of -er verbs: comer

Present subjunctive of -ir verbs: vivir

Notice that -er and -ir verbs have the same present-subjunctive endings.

Some verbs do not follow the regular patterns. The following verbs use irregular stems or forms in the present subjunctive.

Present subjunctive of haber

Present subjunctive of tener

Present subjunctive of saber

Present subjunctive of dar

Present subjunctive of ser

Present subjunctive of ir

Present subjunctive of estar

Common expressions that trigger the present subjunctive are associated with doubt, emotion, desire, necessity, and uncertainty. In the usual pattern, a main clause is followed by que and a different subject in the subordinate clause.

Expressions of doubt

Use the subjunctive when there is doubt or disbelief about a situation.

• No creo que él venga a la fiesta. I don't think he'll come to the party.
• Dudo que ella diga la verdad. I doubt that she is telling the truth.

Expressions of emotion

Use it when there is an emotional reaction to something.

• Me alegra que tú estés aquí. I'm glad that you are here.
• Lamento que él no pueda venir. I'm sorry that he can't come.

Expressions of desire

Use it when someone wants, prefers, or wishes for something.

• Quiero que tú limpies tu cuarto. I want you to clean your room.
• Prefiero que nosotros hablemos mañana. I prefer that we talk tomorrow.

Expressions of necessity

Use it when something is necessary or important.

• Es necesario que ellos sepan la verdad. It's necessary that they know the truth.
• Es importante que tú estudies mucho. It's important that you study a lot.

Expressions of uncertainty

Use it when there is uncertainty or something is not known.

• No estoy seguro de que ella venga. I am not sure that she will come.
• Es posible que ellos salgan tarde. It's possible that they will leave late.

Negative and interrogative sentences use the same present-subjunctive forms as affirmative sentences. The negative word no is placed before the verb it negates.

Negative sentences

Place no before the subjunctive verb in the subordinate clause.

• No creo que él tenga razón. I don't think he is right.
• No es posible que ella venga hoy. It is not possible for her to come today.
• No pienso que nosotros podamos ir. I don't think we can go.

Interrogative sentences

Questions can contain the present subjunctive when the question expresses doubt, possibility, or another trigger for the subjunctive. Spanish does not generally require the subject and verb to be inverted.

• ¿Crees que él tenga razón? Do you think he is right?
• ¿Es posible que ella venga hoy? Is it possible that she will come today?
• ¿Piensas que nosotros podamos ir? Do you think we can go?

Practice the present subjunctive by creating sentences that express emotions, doubts, and desires. Complete each sentence with the present-subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Espero que tú (tener) un buen día.
2. Me alegra que ustedes (estar) aquí.
3. Dudo que él (venir) mañana.
4. Quiero que nosotros (hablar) con la profesora.
5. Es posible que ella (salir) tarde.

Answers: tengas, estén, venga, hablemos, salga.