The Present Subjunctive

The Subjunctive Up to now you have been using verbs in the indicative mood, which is used to talk about facts or actual events.

The Subjunctive Aprendo francés para mi viaje.  I am learning french for my trip (going on now)

The Subjunctive Spanish has another way of using verbs called the subjunctive mood.

The Subjunctive We use it to say what one person does or doesn’t want, tell, suggest, or recommend someone else to do.

Yo quiero que mis estudiantes hagan bien en la clase de español I want that my students do well in spanish class.

The Subjunctive We form the present subjunctive of most verbs the same way we form negative tú commands.

The Subjunctive We drop the -o of the present-tense indicative yo form and add the subjunctive endings.

The Subjunctive For -ar verbs: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en For -er/-ir verbs: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an

SALTAR – to jump salte saltes saltemos saltéis salten

CONOCER – to know conozca conozcas conozcamos conozcáis conozcan

DECIR – to say/tell diga digas digamos digáis digan

The Subjunctive The present subjunctive has the same spelling changes and irregular yo form changes used with the negative tú commands and Ud./Uds. commands.

Irregular Subjunctive Verbs As in negative commands, irregular verbs that add a “g” to the stem in the present-tense yo form also have a “g” in the present subjunctive.

Irregular Subjunctive Verbs caerse decir hacer poner salir tener traer

Irregular Subjunctive Verbs Also verbs ending in –car, -gar, and –zar have a spell change in order to maintain the original sound.

Irregular Subjunctive Verbs hacer hag-o haga tener teng-o tenga

Irregular Subjunctive Verbs buscar busco busque pagar pago pague cruzar cruzo cruce

The Subjunctive A sentence that includes the subjunctive form has two parts connected by the word que. For example:

2 Clauses Yo quiero que mis estudiantes hagan bien… Separated by the word “que” Independent clause (stands on its own) Subject > Verb Dependent clause (can’t stand on its own) Begins with the word “que.” Subjunctive Verb Indicative Verb

The Subjunctive The first subject uses the present indicative verb (recommendation, suggestion, prohibition, and so on) + que and the second subject uses the present subjunctive verb (what should happen).

Subjunctive with hopes and wishes ….. 3 verbs that express a hope or wish: Querer – to want Esperar – to wish /hope Preferir – to prefer

Subjunctive with hopes and wishes… Yo espero que mi mamá cocine meatloaf esta noche Yo prefiero que mis estudiantes hablen español Yo quiero que Presidente Obama haga muchos cambios buenos.

Subjunctive with the unknown and nonexistent A. The indicative is generally used to talk about what is, whereas the subjunctive is often used to talk about what should be, or what people think/feel about what is. (pg. 72) Ej. Alonso puede ser muy terco, pero es generoso y leal también.

Subjunctive with the unknown and nonexistent   B. In certain situations, the subjunctive is used to talk about what is not. It is used after expressions like No hay nadie/nada que… when the person or thing referred to is nonexistent.

Subjunctive with the unknown and nonexistent No hay nadie que le guste la música clásica.  (no hay nadie= there is no one) No hay nada que me fastidie más que un chiste grosero. (no hay nada = there is nothing)

Subjunctive with the unknown and nonexistent C. In other situations, the speaker doesn’t know what is. He or she may be looking for someone or something with certain qualities, without having anyone or anything particular in mind. This is an example of something being unknown.  

Subjunctive with the unknown and nonexistent Busco una novia que sea abierta y amigable.   ¿Conoces a alguien que hable fránces? Do you know anyone that speaks french? Busco una amiga que le guste ir de compras.

Subjunctive with expressions of Feelings A. The subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause after certain expressions of feelings in the main clause, when there is a change of subject. (pg. 74)

  Ej. Me alegra que vengan mis amigos a nuestra fiesta. Ej. Siento que lleguemos tan tarde.

Expressions of feelings followed by the subjunctive pg: 74 Me frustra que – it frustrates me that Me gusta que – I like that Me irrita que- It irritates me that

Expressions of feelings followed by the subjunctive pg: 74 Me preocupa que – It worries me that Me sorprende que- It surprises me that  Siento que – I am sorry that Me molesta que – It bothers me that

Expressions of feelings followed by the subjunctive pg: 74 ¡OJO! . However, if the main clause states a fact or belief, the indicative/present is used in the subordinate clause. If there is no change of subject, an infinitive is used. (pg. 74)

Expressions of feelings followed by the subjunctive pg: 74 Ej. Pienso que mi novia va a romper conmigo. Ej. Me molesta llegar tarde.

Subjunctive for giving advice and opinions

Subjunctive for giving advice and opinions A. Use the subjunctive form of a verb after these expressions for giving advice or an opinion. ***In these expressions, the verb ser is always conjugated in the third person singular.

Subjunctive for giving advice and opinions Es mejor que – it’s better that Es bueno que – it’s a good idea that Es importante que – It’s important that

Subjunctive for giving advice and opinions Es mejor que vayamos al cine en vez del centro comercial. Es Bueno que tengas una fiesta para Halloween. Es importante que comas muchas frutas y vegetales.

Subjunctive for giving advice and recommendations

Subjunctive for giving advice and recommendations A. Use the subjunctive form of a verb after the following expressions for giving advice or recommendations. B. Conjugate the verb in each of these expressions in the present tense to indicate who is giving the advice, and to whom. *(use pronouns me, te, le, nos, les)

Subjunctive for giving advice and recommendations 1. Aconsejarle que = to advise that   2. Recomendarle que = to recommend that 3. Sugerir le que… = to suggest that

Subjunctive for giving advice and recommendations Ej. Te aconsejo que hables con tu novio sobre el problema. Les recomiendo que estudien el subjuntivo para mañana. Mi mamá me sugiere que yo trabaje los fines de semana.

The Subjunctive Verbs that are often followed by que + subjunctive: Decir Insistir en Necesitar Permitir Preferir (e > ie) Prohibir Querer (e > ie) Recomendar (e > ie) Sugerir (e > ie)

The Subjunctive Sugiero que bebas agua antes de correr. I suggest that you drink water before running.

The Subjunctive Es necesario que hagas ejercicio. It’s necessary that you do exercise. Es importante que los jóvenes coman bien. It’s important that the young people eat well.

The Subjunctive El entrenador exige que los atletas estiren los músculos. The trainer demands that the athletes stretch their muscles.