1. Usage of the Present Subjunctive

2. 1. As commands:
Leamos el poema de Rubén Darío.
Let’s read the poem by Ruben Dario.
Abran sus libros en la pagina diez.
Open your books to page 10.
This is the ONLY time the subjunctive
will be used as the main verb in a
simple sentence.

3. 2. Complex Sentences
There are three conditions that must be met
in order to use the subjunctive:
a. There must be a dependent clause
introduced by the word “que” (that).
I hope that Pablo goes to the dance.
In English “that” is optional. In Spanish it is
required!

4. b. The subject of the main clause is different
than the subject of the dependent clause.
I hope that Pablo goes to the dance.
c. The verb in the main clause MUST express
doubt, desire, uncertainty, emotion
or command.

5. If one of these is the main verb AND you have
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
gustar
to like
preferir
to prefer
es probable
it’s probable
es necesario
it’s necessary
es dudoso
it’s doubtful
es posible
it’s possible
If one of these is the main verb AND you have
conditions a AND b, then you need the subjunctive.

6. Es posible que yo coma tacos. b. c. a. b.
Example:
Pablo recomienda que yo coma tacos .
b. c a. b.
Example:
Es posible que yo coma tacos.
b. c. a. b.

7. If the main verb of the sentence does NOT
express doubt, desire, uncertainty, emotion
or a command, then use the Indicative!
Yo sé que Pablo ha diseñado un rascacielos.
I know that Pablo has designed a skyscraper.

8. estar seguro creer to be sure to believe pensar (ie) saber to know
Expressions that do NOT take Subjunctive
estar seguro
creer
to be sure
to believe
pensar (ie)
saber
to know
to think
es cierto
es evidente
it is certain
it is evident
es verdad
no hay duda
it is true
there is no doubt

9. Example:
Es cierto que el arqueólogo descifra los
jeroglíficos.
It is certain the archeologist will decipher the hieroglyphics.
Yo creo que Marta juega al básquetbol.
I think that Martha plays basketball.

10. BUT If there is no change of subject (ie.“que”) in the
sentence, then use the INFINITIVE.
Yo quiero que tú me compres un ramo de rosas.
BUT
Yo quiero comprar un ramo de rosas.