The Present Subjunctive: When?

If you've made it this far, you're probably feeling pretty good about Spanish. You've learned a lot of vocabulary and know how to conjugate in the past, present, and future. You can understand and speak enough Spanish to get by. But all along a grammatical nightmare has been lurking in the shadows just waiting to jump out and make your life miserable: the subjunctive.

The subjunctive can be a difficult, complicated, and non-intuitive concept for an English speaker. It's at this point that many Spanish students decide it's just not worth it and bail out. But stick with it. It's an important aspect of the language. (Also, the people who make entrance exams and advanced placement exams love to test the subjunctive.)

The first thing you need to know about the subjunctive is that it is a "mood."

Note: There are three moods (modos) in Spanish: the indicative (indicativo); the subjunctive (subjuntivo), and the imperative (imperativo).

What is a Mood?

You teacher never bothered to tell you this, but all those verb conjugations you've been learning… they've just been one of two ways of conjugating. Everything you've learned about verbs to this point has been in something called the "indicative mood." What's a mood? A mood is a special way of conjugating a verb in order to expresses your attitude toward the situation.

As its name implies, the indicative mood indicates reality or concrete facts. You haven't had to worry about the moods before because up until now, you've primarily been using simple sentences about factual situations: Me llamo Pepe. Tú cocinas bien. Tengo un coche peligroso.

But as you progress, you'll begin using more complex sentence structures and the more likely it is you'll need to use another mood, the subjunctive. The subjunctive mood is used to convey desire, express doubt, or discuss non-concrete situations: Espero que me llamen hoy. Dudo que tú cocines bien. Necesito un coche que sea más seguro.

While a mood may look a lot like a tense, they're not the same thing. A tense has to do with the timeframe of the verb. A mood has to do with the speaker's attitude toward the verb. Most verb conjugations are actually a combination of tense (time) and mood (attitude).

Before you start complaining again about how needlessly complicated Spanish is, be aware that we use the subjunctive in English too. It's not done well, or consistently, but there are situations in English in which we should use a different verb conjugations than we otherwise would. Consider the differences in the following sentence pairs: She arrives on time. → It's necessary that she arrive on time. I am handsome. → I wish I were handsome. He cooks dinner. → I demand that he cook dinner.

Link: More on the subjunctive in English

The are many situations in which the subjunctive is required. All of them are detailed in the article below. Use the menu to quickly find what you are looking for. If you are an intermediate Spanish student, you probably need only concern yourself with noun and adjective clauses. If you are an advanced student, read the whole article.

See also: The Present Subjunctive: How?

(This page only deals with when you should use the present subjunctive mood. To learn how to conjugate in the present subjunctive, see The Present Subjunctive: How?)

The Present Subjunctive in Dependent Clauses

Most of the time, the subjunctive appears in dependent clauses (sometimes called subordinate clauses). What's a clause? Generally speaking a clause includes a subject and a predicate (verb). A clause can be a complete sentence all by itself:

He plays soccer.

Or clauses can be combined to form larger sentences:

I know that he plays soccer.

Independent clauses (also known as main clauses) are clauses which can stand on their own when removed from the larger sentence:

I think therefore I am.

Dependent clauses usually begin with conjunctions like "therefore," "that," "so that," "before," etc. Dependent clauses depend on or expand on independent clauses and don't make sense on their own:

I think therefore I am.

Got it so far? Good. Now we're going to look at three specific types of dependent clause: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverbial clauses to see when we should use the subjunctive.

The Present Subjunctive in Noun Clauses

Consider this sentence:

I demand a car!

Here, "a car" is a noun (which happens to be functioning as a direct object). Now consider this sentence:

I demand that you respect me!

This time around the clause "that you respect me" is also functioning like a noun just as "a car" did in the previous sentence. Therefore it's known as a noun clause.

There are three reasons we would use the subjunctive in a noun clause: volition, doubt, and emotion.

The Present Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Volition

Volition is a fancy word for "willing." It carries the idea that someone is asking, hoping, insisting, demanding, suggesting, recommending, telling, requiring, etc. someone else to do something. Any time we see an instance of volition in the independent clause, we must use the subjunctive in the dependent clause. The reason for this is that sentence is not simply stating a fact, but trying to influence an outcome (which may or may not happen). The general formula we're looking for is:

subject + volition verb + "que" + different subject + subjunctive verb

For example:

Note: It isn't necessary for the subject to be a person. Impersonal expressions such as es necesario, es importante, es urgente, etc. require the subjunctive too.

I insist that you do your homework.
Yo insisto en que tú hagas tu tarea.

He recommends that we eat well.
Él recomienda que comamos bien.

It is necessary that she sleep.
Es necesario que ella duerma.

Problems with Translating

Due to the fact that we take some shortcuts in English that we can't take in Spanish, sometimes we have to rewrite or reorder a sentence before we can translate it:

I want you to clean your room. Not: ~~Te quiero arreglar tu cuarto.~~	→	I want that you clean your room. Quiero que tú arregles tu cuarto.
They want us to leave. Not: ~~Nos quieren salir.~~	→	They want that we leave. Quieren que salgamos.

Things to Watch Out For

Remember that there needs to be a different subject. If the subject doesn't change you can just use the infinitive.

I want to watch TV.
Not: ~~Quiero que yo mire TV.~~
Simply: Quiero mirar TV.

They want to be lawyers.
Not: ~~Quieren que sean abogadas.~~
Simply: Quieren ser abogadas.

And don't get carried away and start conjugating every second verb in the subjunctive. If there is no volition, use the indicative:

I know that you do your homework.
Yo sé que tú haces tu tarea.

Issues with Decir

Decir is a tricky verb in that it can signal both the indicative and the subjunctive. Which mood to use depends on the context. If decir is used to state a fact, the dependent clause should be in the indicative:

He tells me that I play well.
Me dice que toco bien.

If decir is used more like a command, the dependent clause should be in the subjunctive:

He tells me to play well.
Me dice que toque bien.

The Present Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Doubt

If the independent clause casts any doubt on the dependent clause, we must use the subjunctive. We do this because the sentence isn't stating facts, but rather suggesting that something is not true. The general formula we're looking for is:

subject + doubt verb + "que" + different subject + subjunctive verb

For example:

Note: It isn't necessary for the subject to be a person. Impersonal expressions such as es improbable, es imposible, es dudable, etc. require the subjunctive too.

She doubts that I know the president.
Ella duda que yo conozca al presidente.

I’m not sure you’re telling the truth.
No estoy seguro que tú digas la verdad.

It is impossible that she can sleep now.
Es imposible que ella pueda dormir ahora.

Things to Watch Out For

Note: Because neither is definite, the phrases es probable and es improbable both signal the subjunctive. Same thing with es posible and es imposible.

If there is any doubt about the dependent clause, we use the subjunctive. Even optimistic sounding phrases like es probable and es posible require the subjunctive:

It's probable that Roberto knows the answer.
Es probable que Roberto sepa la respuesta.

If there is no doubt, use the indicative:

She is sure that he drives a green car.
Está segura que conduce un coche verde.

The verbs pensar and creer indicate certainty:

He believes that she sings in the choir.
Él cree que ella canta en el coro.

Whether or not the dependent clause is actually true is irrelevant. The independent clause tells us which mood to use:

He thinks that the sun is a planet.
Él piensa que el sol es un planeta.

The Present Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Emotion

If the independent clause includes any emotion, use the subjunctive in the dependent clause. The reason for this is that even though the sentence may be stating a fact, it is also expressing a judgment or personal reaction to the situation. The formula is:

subject + emotion verb + "que" + different subject + subjunctive verb

For example:

Note: It isn't necessary for the subject to be a person. Impersonal expressions such as es triste and es una lástima require the subjunctive too.

It bothers me that you aren’t listening.
Me molesta que tú no escuches.

She is angry that I am here.
Está enojada que yo esté aquí.

It’s sad that there are so many thefts.
Es triste que haya tantos robos.

Things to Watch Out For

Any verb that expresses a feeling, judgment, or opinion, even if it don't necessarily sound "emotional," requires the subjunctive. This includes gustar, sentir, sorprender, etc.:

I am pleased that we don't have homework tonight.
Me gusta que no tengamos tarea esta noche.

We are sorry that you can't come.
Sentimos que no puedas venir.

If there is no emotion, use the indicative:

They said that she works at McDonald’s.
Dijeron que ella trabaja en McDonald’s.

The Present Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses

Consider this sentence:

I have a big dog.

Here, "big" is an adjective that modifies "dog." Now consider this sentence:

I have a dog that barks.

The clause "that barks" is also functioning like an adjective just as "big" did in the previous sentence. This type of clause is known as an adjective clause. Whether or not we use the subjunctive in an adjective clause depends on the "antecedent."

Antecedents

See also: Read more about antecedents on Relative Pronouns.

The noun that is modified by the adjective clause is called the “antecedent.”

I have an uncle that sells cars.
We want a government that represents us.

In the first sentence the antecedent is “uncle.” It is modified by the adjective clause, "that sells cars." The antecedent in the second sentence is “government.” It is modified by the adjective clause "that represents us."

Subjunctive vs. Indicative

If the antecedent is definite or concrete, we use the indicative in the adjective clause:

I have a friend who plays tennis.
Tengo un amigo que juega tenis.

In this case the antecedent, "friend," is a definite person (someone we could meet), so we use an indicative verb, juega.

If the antecedent is indefinite, vague, or hypothetical, we use a subjunctive verb in the adjective clause:

I need a friend who plays tennis.
Necesito un amigo que juegue tenis.

When we switch from "having" to "needing," our antecedent friend switches from being definite to being hypothetical. We may never find a tennis-playing friend. Because of that we use the subjunctive verb, juegue.

Things to Watch Out For

The probability or likelihood of the antecedent is irrelevant. What matters is whether or not the antecedent is definite or specific right now. Compare the following sentences:

I want a table that’s made of wood.
Quiero una mesa que sea de madera.

I want a car that is made of glass.
Quiero un coche que sea de vidrio.

The Present Subjunctive in Adverbial (Adverb) Clauses

Consider this sentence:

She works quickly.

Here, "quickly" is an adverb that modifies "works." Now consider this sentence:

She works so that she earns money.

The clause "so that she earns money" functions like an adverb just as "quickly" did in the previous sentence. This type of clause is called an adverbial (or adverb) clause. Adverbial clauses are introduced by conjunctions.

Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word of phrase used to connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. For example:

He eats before he practices.
You can put it wherever you want.
I’m still not leaving in spite of the fact that I’m late.
She’s not going to try since she’s failing.

Can you identify the conjunctions in these examples? They are "before," "wherever," "in spite of the fact that," and "since." Conjunctions are important because whether or not we use the subjunctive in an adverbial clause often depends on the conjunction used.

Indicative Conjunctions

The following conjunctions always introduce indicative clauses because they introduce facts:

Spanish:	English:
como / puesto que / ya que dado que / en vista que a pesar de que por eso porque	since given that in spite of the fact that because of that / that's why because

For example: (notice that all verbs are conjugated in the indicative)

Como no puedo pagar, no puedo ir.
Since I can't pay, I can't go.

Dado que ya hay mucha comida, no voy a pedir más.
Given that there's already a lot of food, I'm not going to order more.

Practicamos a pesar de que hace mucho frío.
We practice in spite of the fact that it's very cold.

Esta fiesta es aburrida y por eso nos vamos.
The party is boring and that's why we're leaving.

Me voy porque estoy enfermo.
I'm leaving because I'm sick.

Subjunctive Conjunctions

The following conjunctions always introduce subjunctive clauses because the actions are uncertain or otherwise dependent on something else:

Spanish:	English:
antes de que con tal que / siempre que en caso que a menos que para que / a fin de que sin que	before provided that in case unless so that without

For example: (notice that the dependent clauses are all conjugated in the subjunctive)

Él siempre mira antes de que salga su casa.
He always looks before he leaves his house.

Trabajo con tal que me paguen.
I work provided that they pay me.

Me preparo en caso que haya un desastre.
I prepare myself in case there is a disaster.

No voy a menos que mi amigo vaya también.
I don't go unless my friend goes too.

Estudio para que yo pueda pasar la prueba.
I study so that I can pass the test.

Rosa nunca sale sin que deje un recado.
Rosa never goes out without leaving a message.

Subjunctive or Indicative

The following conjunctions could introduce either indicative or subjunctive clauses depending on the situation:

Spanish:	English:
aunque cuando después de que hasta que mientras que tan pronto como / en cuanto	although when after until while as soon as

Use the indicative if the conjunction introduces an adverbial clause that refers to a habitual action or states a fact. For example: (notice that all verbs are conjugated in the indicative)

Usualmente compra manzanas cuando va al mercado.
He usually buys apples when he goes to the market.

Siempre lloro después de que la película termina.
I always cry after the movie ends.

Generalmente ella practica hasta que se siente mal.
She generally practices until she feels sick.

Usualmente me voy tan pronto como mi madre llega.
I usually leave as soon as my mother arrives.

Use the subjunctive if the conjunction introduces an adverbial clause that is somewhat uncertain or refers to the future. For example: (notice that the dependent clauses are all conjugated in the subjunctive)

Él comprará manzanas cuando vaya al mercado.
He will buy apples when he goes to the market.

Voy a llorar después de que la película termine.
I'm going to cry after the movie ends.

Ella va a practicar hasta que se sienta mal.
She is going to practice until she feels sick.

Me iré tan pronto como mi madre llegue.
I will leave as soon as my mother arrives.

In some cases the verb conjugation used can actually change the meaning of the conjunction:

Voy a ir a la fiesta aunque mi bicicleta está rota.
Voy a ir a la fiesta aunque mi bicicleta esté rota.

Necesitas jugar como el entrenador quiere.
No puedes jugar como quieras.

Debes poner la ropa donde te indico.
No debes poner la ropa donde quieras.

Hago mi tarea mientras que ella practica.
Haré mi tarea mientras que ella practique.

aunque = "even though"
aunque = "even if"

como = "how"
como = "however"

donde = "where"
donde = "wherever"

mientras que = "while"
mientras que = "as long as"

Si Clauses

Si is different from other conjunctions. The present indicative is always used regardless of any uncertainty:

Podemos pedir una pizza si todos quieren.
¡Si mi maestro me da más tarea, voy a gritar!
Te doy esta galleta si das tu bebida a Mateo.

The Present Subjunctive in Independent Clauses

The subjunctive is primarily found in dependent clauses, but it occasionally appears in independent clauses as well. There are three situations in which it can be used.

The Present Subjunctive with Ojalá (Que)

Note: Ojalá originates from Arabic where it meant “may God (Allah) will it.”

Ojalá (sometimes written ojalá que) indicates a strong desire. It translates to "hopefully" and is always followed by a subjunctive verb:

!Ojalá encuentres tu perro!
Hopefully you find your dog! / I hope that you find your dog!

!Ojalá que tengas suerte!
Hopefully you have good luck! / I hope you're lucky!

The Present Subjunctive in Indirect Commands

You can use que and a subjunctive verb to indirectly command someone (or something) to do something:

Que en paz descanse. May he rest in peace.	¡Que hagan su tarea! Do your homework!
¡Que Dios te bendiga! God bless you.	!Que viva Nicaragua! Long live Nicaragua!

Notice that you are essentially removing “Yo quiero…” or something similar from the beginning of the sentence.

The Present Subjunctive and Probability

Note: Probablemente means "probably." Quizás and tal vez both mean "perhaps" or "maybe."

When using probablemente, quizás, or tal vez, you can subtly demonstrate your attitude towards the probability through your verb selection. Use the indicative to express certainty (or near certainty). Use the subjunctive to express doubt:

Probablemente el maestro está enojado.
Probablemente el maestro esté enojado.

Quizás ellos son de Nevada.
Quizás ellos sean de Nevada.

Tal vez necesitamos practicar más.
Tal vez necesitemos practicar más.

(most likely)
(just guessing)

(probably)
(not sure at all)

(likely)
(maybe, don't know)

See also: The Present Subjunctive: How?

(Now that you know when to use the present subunctive, why not review how? See The Present Subjunctive: How?)