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Key points about the present subjunctive in Spanish

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  • The present subjunctive tense is used to express doubt, possibility, requests, and after verbs of emotion.

  • It is also used after certain phrases like cuando and para que.

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When to use the present subjunctive in Spanish

The present subjunctive is a special form of a verb which is used in certain situations:

  • to express doubt, uncertainty and possibility
  • after verbs of emotion
  • for wishes, advice and requests such as querer que and pedir que
  • after para que when it means 'in order to'
  • after the time phrase cuando

Expressing doubt, uncertainty and possibility

For example:

No creo que Ana venga a la fiesta. - I don鈥檛 think Ana will come to the party.

Quiz谩s Hugo vaya al cine. - Perhaps Hugo will go to the cinema.

After verbs of emotion

For example:

Me alegro de que mi abuela nos visite. - I鈥檓 glad that my grandma is visiting.

For wishes, advice and requests such as 'querer que' and 'pedir que'

For example:

Mis padres quieren que vaya a la universidad. - My parents want me to go to university.

After 'para que' when it means in order to

For example:

Estudio mucho para que tenga buenas notas. - I study a lot so that I get good marks.

After the time phrase 'cuando' when you are talking about the future

For example:

Cuando venga tu hermana. - When your sister comes home.

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Forming the present subjunctive

The table shows five different verbs in the present subjunctive in the singular I, you (informal) and he/she and you (formal) forms.

There are no patterns for the different , so you have to learn them, but the endings do follow a pattern:

a for I and he/she and you (formal)

as for you (informal)

- to be - to make/do - to go - to have - to come
I - yo
You (informal) - 迟煤
He/she - 茅濒/别濒濒补
You (formal) - usted

The present subjunctive in Spanish - Mini quiz

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What is the subjunctive verb in this sentence?

No pienso que David ____ a la fiesta.

I don鈥檛 think David will come to the party.

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Quiz - The present subjunctive in Spanish

Practise what you've learned about the present subjunctive in Spanish with this quiz.

Now you have learned about the present subjunctive in Spanish why not explore ongoing actions in the present tense?

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