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The subjunctive mood: The present tense in noun clauses.

The Subjunctive Mood: The Present Subjunctive.



When you study the indicative mood tenses (el indicativo) in Spanish, you learn that the speaker is talking
about actions, events, or states that he or she perceives as facts of truths. When studying the subjunctive
mood (el subjuntivo), you will see that the attitude of the speaker determines the mood that will convey the
message. Note the attitude or point of view of the subject in the following examples:
Mario confirm su reserva. Mario confirmed his reservation.
Mario recibir su billete por correo electrnico. Mario will receivehis ticket by e-mail.

Both confirm in the preterit and recibir in the future are actions expressed in the indicative mood. The
speaker perceives these actions as real facts or actual events that happened in the past or will happen in the
future. The description of Marios activities directly expresses that reality. On the other hand, if the
perspective of the subject conveys doubt or uncertainty, the subjunctive mood is necessary. Study the
following example:
Mario duda que el agente de viajes
confirme su reserva.
Mario doubts (that) the travel agent will confirmhis
reservation.

Note that there are two parts or clauses (clusulas) in the preceding example. The first clause (Mario duda)
is the indicative mood, and it reflects Marios own feelings (doubt) about the action or future action of a
different subject, the travel agent. In the second clause, confirme is in the subjunctive mood because this
action is not likely to be true or may not be completed at the time the action in the first clause takes place.
Mario is uncertain about the outcome of the action performed by the conjuction que. Note that the subject of
the second or dependent clause (el agente de viajes) is different from the subject expressing doubt (Mario).

The clause in the indicative mood is called the main or independent clause. The clause containing the verb in
the subjunctive mood is the dependent clause. In grammatical terms, these dependent clauses are known as
noun clauses because they have a function similar to that of a noun in a simple sentence.

The subjunctive mood communicates the personal feelings or emotions of the subject in the main clause;
these include wishes, hopes, and preferences. Verbs such as esperar (to hope), querer (to wish), desear (to
desire), preferir (the prefer), permitir (to allow), and others are used in the main clause, followed que
introducing a different subject. Note its use in the following examples:
Ana quiere que Ana mande la carta. Marta wants Ana to send the letter.
Espero que tu hermana acepte mi oferta. I hope your sister accepts my offer.
Preferimos que los miembros del equipo
viajen en tren.
We prefer (that) the members of the team travel by
train.

The English clauses do not necessarily include a literal translation of que, as you can see in the above
English equivalents. The English infinitive form as well as the English future tense are often used to translate
the Spanish subjunctive. Que always links the two clauses in Spanish. The dependent clause may also
contain indicative forms. The perspective of the verb in the main clause determines which mood is used in
the dependent clause.
El aviso dice que la sesin termina por la tarde.
(termina, indicative)
The notice says that the session ends in the
afternoon.
El investigador duda que el interrogatorio termine antes
antes de las seis. (termine, subjunctive)
The investigator doubts the interrogation
will end before six.

In the first example, the verb decir (dice) does not convey an attitude of doubt (uncertainty, hope, desire,
need, etc.) in the main clause and therefore does not require the use of the subjunctive in the dependent
clause. In that sentence, termina is in the present indicative. In the second example, the verb dudar (duda)
communicates doubt and therefore requires the subjunctive (termine) in the dependent clause. Determining
when to use it will require some skill and experience.


THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

To conjugate the present subjunctive of most verbs, refer to the present indicative forms, and follow these
steps:
Drop the o of the yo form as shown in the models cant-o, com-o and recib-o.
Add the corresponding endings for each person in the three conjugations, as follows:
cantar (to sing) comer (to eat) recibir (to receive)
cante
cantes
cante
cantemos
cantis
canten
coma
comas
coma
comamos
comis
coman
reciba
recibas
reciba
recibamos
recibis
reciban

Observe that:
The first and third person singular present subjunctive forms have the same endings.
-er and ir reguar verbs have the same endings.
Note that this rule applies to most verbs. Verbs with spelling changes in the present indicative preserve the
spelling change in the present subjunctive.
Verbs ending in ger and gir change the g of the stem to j, keeping the j in the stem of the present
subjunctive.

escoger (to choose) exigir (to demand)
escoja
escojas
escoja
escojamos
escojis
escojan
exija
exijas
exija
exijamos
exijis
exijan

Escojo mi vestido en este catlogo. Quiero que t
escojas tus zapatos tambin.
I choosemy dress from this catalog. I want you to
chooseyour shoes, too.
Exijo mis derechos. Quiero que todos exijan sus
derechos tambin.
I demand my rights. I want everyone to demand
their rights, too.

Verbs that end in guir change gu to g in the present subjunctive.
extinguir (to extinguish)
extinga
extingas
extinga
extingamos
extingis
extingan

Verbs that end in cer cahnge the c to z in the yo form: convencer, convenzo.
El candidato no convence a los trabajadores.
La oposicin duda que convenza a los
maestros.
The candidate does not convincethe workers.
The opposition doubts that he convinces the
teachers.



Ejercicio 1. Observa los verbos entre parentesis. Despus, subraya la respuesta apropiada: el presente
de indicativo o el presente de subjuntivo.
- Yo s que t (lees/leas) el peridico todos los das en tu oficina.
- Arturo quiere que su esposa (compra/compre) ms vegetales.
- Rodrigo prefiere que nosotros no (cantamos/cantemos) en su fiesta.
- Tu hermano asegura (assures) que ahora (comes/comas) platos saludables.
- Miguel sabe que su novia (escribe/escriba) poemas a sus amigos.
- Mis padres anuncian que Luca y Marcos (se casan/ se casen) en mayo.

Ejercicio2. Usa la forma apropiada del presente de subjuntivo del verbo entre parntesis.
- Maira duda que la paella ______________ (estar) cocinada antes de las siete de la tarde.
- Marcos prefiere que Maira _______________ (ayudar) a los nios a terminar la tarea.
- Carla y Martina quieren que los nios _________________ (preparar) la merienda.
- La nutricionista prefiere que t _____________________ (beber) agua y no un refresco.
- Mis padres desean que nosotros ___________________ (recibir) una invitacin para el almuerzo.
- Nosotros dudamos que la profesora ______________ (comprender) tu letra. (handwriting)


VERBS WITH SPELLING CHANGES IN THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
These changes apply to all the forms of the present subjunctive:

-car changes to qu.
Ayer expliqu mis propuestas. Hoy quiero que
t expliques el problema.
Yesterday I explained my proposal. I want you to
explain the problem.

-gar changes to gu.
Llegu a tiempo. Espero que llegues a tiempo
tambin.
I arrived on time. I hope that you arriveon time
as well.

- zar changes to c.
Ya empec a investigar el caso Smith. Quiero que
empecemos a revisar los resultados.
I started to research the Smith case. I want (that
we start) us to start to review the results.


Ejercicio 3. Usa el presente de subjuntivo para traducir las palabras en cursiva en cada oracin.
- I want you (t) to practice the tango and salsa.

- Marcos wants us to have lunch (almorzar) at this restaurant.

- They prefer that we explain our plan.

- We want you (Ud.) to look for the answer.
- The cashier (f.) doubts that youll (Uds.) pay cash (en efectivo).

- Marta and I doubt that hell take out the money.



VERBS WITH STEM CHANGES IN THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

- Ar and er verbs that change the stem vowel e to ie in the present indicative show the same changes in the
present subjunctive. As in the present indicative, this change affects all forms except the plurals nosotros
and vosotros.
pensar (to think) entender (to understand)
piense
pienses
piense
pensemos
pensis
piensen
entienda
entiendas
entienda
entendamos
entendis
entiendan

Quiero que pienses en tu problema. I want you to think about your problem.
Dudo que entiendan mis explicaciones. I doubt they understand my explanations.

Ejercicio 4. En el partido de tenis. Usa el presente de subjuntivo del verbo en cursiva.
- The coach wants the match to start on time tomorrow.

- She prefers that all the players wake up earlier.

- I doubt that all of you (Uds.) understand the rules to play tennis.

- Our rivals want us to lose the match tomorrow.

- I prefer that you (Ud.) sit in the second row, close to the turf. (el csped)

- The assistant to the coach doubts that Bernardo defends his title with dignity.


-Ar and er verbs that change the stem vowel o to ue in the present indicative show the same changes in the
present subjunctive. As in the present indicative, this change affects all forms except the plurals nosotros
and vosotros.
volar (to fly) devolver (to return [something])
vuele
vueles
vuele
volemos
volis
vuelen
devuelva
devuelvas
devuelva
devolvamos
devolvis
devuelvan

Ejercicio 5. Verdadero o falso?
- Muchos jvenes desean que sus padres resuelvan sus problemas.
- Los jugadores de tenis prefieren que llueva durante el partido.
- Algunos empleados prefieren que su jefe encuentre una excusa para ir de vacaciones.
- Muchos padres permiten que sus hijos se acuesten muy tarde.
- Los espectadores desean que los actores demuestren sinceridad.


STEM-CHANGING VERBS ENDING IN I R.
-Ir stem-changing verbs show the following changes in the stem vowel in the present subjunctive: e to ie, o
to ue, and e to i.
e to ie
sentir (to feel)
o to ue
dormir (to sleep)
e to i
pedir (to ask for, to request)
sienta
sientas
sienta
sintamos
sintis
sientan
duerma
duermas
duerma
durmamos
durmis
duerman
pida
pidas
pida
pidamos
pidis
pidan

Note that changes occur in all forms of these verbs and that a different change affects the nosotros and
vosotros forms: e changes to i, and o changes to u.
Los meteorlogos dudan que sintamos los
efectos de la tormenta aqu.
The meteorologists doubt that well feel the
effects of the storm here.
El gerente del hotel prefiere que los perros no
duerman en el hall.
The hotel manager prefers that the dogs (do) not
sleep in the hall.
Dudo que l pida un descuento. I doubt that he asks for a discount.

Ejercicio 6. Usa el presente de subjuntivo de los verbos entre parntesis.
La comunidad espera que el centro de huracanes...
- ______________ (seguir) la ruta de la tormenta.
- ______________ (advertir) los peligros.
- ______________ (pedir) ayuda a otras comunidades.
- ______________ (sugerir) soluciones.
- ______________ (consentir) (to allow) rumores alarmantes.

Verbs ending in uir add a y following the u in all forms of the present subjunctive.
incluir (to include)
incluya
incluyas
incluya
incluyamos
incluyis
incluyan

-iar and uar verbs in the present subjunctive have an accent mark on the or except the nosotros and
vosotros forms. (Note the usual accent mark on the of the second-person plural).
enviar (to send) situar (to place)
enve
enves
enve
enviemos
enviis
enven
site
sites
site
situemos
situis
siten
Ejercicio 7. Una nueva serie de televisin: Los malos nunca ganan. Usa el presente de subjuntivo del
verbo que aparece entre parntesis.
- El pblico quiere que la serie ___________________ (continuar) todo el ao.
- Todos prefieren que los personajes malos ___________________ (influir) mucho en la novela.
- Yo no quiero que el productor ___________ (sustituir) a mi personaje favorito.
- Los televidentes sugieren que cada captulo ____________ (concluir) con una sorpresa.
- Quin prefiere que los personajes malos _____________ (destruir) a los buenos?
- Mi abuelo quiere que t ______________ (enviar) flores a la protagonista.


IRREGULAR VERBS IN THE PRESENT INDICATIBE AND IN THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

Refer to the forms of irregular verbs in the indicative to conjugate the corresponding forms of the present
subjunctive. The following list includes er and ir verbs that have an irregular yo form only in the present
indicative. To conjugate the present subjunctive of these verbs, follow the general rule: drop the o and add
a to the first person. For the rest of the forms, use this subjunctive stem, and add the set of endings you
have already learned for er and ir regular present subjunctive conjugations:
Infinitive Indicative Subjunctive
caber
caer
hacer
parecer
poner
salir
traer
valer
ver
to fit
to fall
to do
to look like
to put
to go out
to bring
to be worth
tosee
quep-o
caig-o
hag-o
parezc-o
pong-o
salg-o
traig-o
valg-o
ve-o
quepa
caiga
haga
parezca
ponga
salga
traiga
valga
vea

Ejercicio 8. En espaol.
- Pedro wants them to bring the new CDs.
- My mother prefers that you (t) make the list.
- They want you (Ud.) to see the results.
- She prefers that you (Uds.) leave at once.
- I doubt the movie is worth it (vale la pena).


IRREGULAR VERBS IN THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
Six verbs do not follow the regulr rule for the formation of the present subjunctive. The irregular present
subjunctives follow:
dar
estar
haber
ir
saber
ser
to give
to be
(auxiliary)
to go
to know
to be
d, des, d, demos, deis, den
est, ests, est, estemos, estis, estn
haya, hayas, haya, hayamos, hayis, hayan
vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayis, vayan
sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepis, sepan
sea, seas, sea, seamos, seis, sean

Ejercicio 9. En espaol. Usa el subjuntivo.
El gerente quiere que...
- the secretary to bring the pappers.
- the assistant to go out.
- the accountant to see the documents.
- the president to know his wishes to earn more money.
- his employees to be courteous.

Ejercicio 10. Pareados. Escribe la letra para completar cada oracin.
1. Margarita prefiere que t
2. Juan quiere que Uds.
3. El juez prohbe que el ladrn
4. Aseguran que el pescado
5. Nosotros no queremos que Luisa
6. Pablo no cree que la tormenta
a. es ms saludable que la carne.
b. sea peligrosa para esta rea.
c. salga de la crcel.
d. salgas a las cuatro con ella.
e. den ms dinero a su iglesia.
f. vaya a la reunin sola.


WHEN IS THE PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE USED IN SPANISH?
You have learned how to conjugate the present subjunctive and have seen examples of its uses. They include
complex (two-clause) sentences in which the subject expresses doubt, a wish, or a preference in the main
clause about the outcome of a course of action by a different subject in the dependent clause. In the
dependent clause, the cinjunction que introduces the second subject + a verb in the present subjunctive.

It is used:
in the dependent clause to reflect denial, doubt, disbelief, or uncertainty about the reality or the outcome of
actions or events of a different subject. The verbal expression of uncertainty occurs in the main clause.
No creo que llueva. I do not believe that it will rain.
Samuel duda que t lo ayudes. Samuel doubts that you (will) help him.

dudar (que)
negar (que)
no creer (que)
no estar seguro de (que)
no pensar (que)
to doubt (that)
to deny (that)
not to believe (that)
not to be sure (that)
not to think (that)

in the dependent clause following verbs that express advice, command, or suggestion.
Te aconsejo que salgas. I advise you to leave.
Mi padre no deja que Bertha vaya la fiesta. My father does not let Bertha go to the party.

aconsejar (que) to advise (that) hacer (que) to make (that)
decir (que) to tell (with the intention of
giving a command) (that)
ordenar (que) to order (that)
dejar (que) to let recomendar (que) to recommend (that)
exigir (que) to demand (that) sugerir (que) to suggest (that)


Ejercicio 11. Todos estn muy preocupados hablando de otras personas. Escribe la forma apropiada
del subjuntivo en las siguientes oraciones para comprender el mensaje.
- La madre no est segura de que su hijo ____________ (buscar) un libro interesante para leer.
- Yo no creo que los cientficos ______________ (llegar) a otras galaxias muy pronto.
- Le exigimos a Lola que ______________ (medir) sus palabras.
- Mi jefe sugiere que nosotros ________________ (acabar) este informe.
- El agente le aconseja a Julia que no _______________ (firmar) este contrato.

Use the subjunctive:

to communicate attitudes, feelings, or emotions in dependent clauses about a subject different from the one
in the main clause.
Sentimos que ustedes no puedan venir a cenar. We regret that you cannot come to dinner.
Teme que yo gane. He fears that Ill win.

The following verbs express feelings and emotions:
alegrar(se) de (que)
estar contento de (que)
molestar(se) que
sentir (que)
temer (que)
to be glad (que)
to be glad (que)
to get annoyed (that)
to regret (tatth)
to fear (that)

to express hope, wish, or preference about the actions of subjects in the dependent clause.
Los empleados esperan que el jefe apruebe el
aumento de sueldo.
The employees hope that their boss will approve
a raise.
Preferimos que t trabajes. We prefer that you work.

Here are some verbs of hope, wish, or preference:
desear (que)
esperar (que)
insistir en (que)
preferir (que)
querer (que)
to wish (that)
to hope (that)
to insist (that)
to prefer (that)
to want (that)

to ask permission or to make a request.
Pide que devuelvas el libro. She asks that you return the book.

Here are some verbs of permission or requesting.
pedir (que)
rogar (que)
suplicar (que)
to ask (that)
to beg (that)
to plead (that)

To communicate surprise and disbeliefe:
Nos sorprende que el presidente no reciba la
aprobacin del Senado.
We are surprised (It is surprising to us) that the
president does not have the approval of the
Senate.

Here are some verbs of surprise:
Maravillar(se) de (que) to marvel (that)
Sorprender(se) de (que) to be surprised (that)

Note: sorprender can be used in an impersonal construction (nos sorprende que, it surprises us that) or a
reflexive one (nos sorprendemos de que, wesurprised that).

In the above examples, the subject expressing emotions, feelings, suggestions, wishes, etc., tries to influence
or sway someone elses action.

Important: In all the above example sentences, the verb in the main clause is in the indicative; the verb
following que in the dependent clause is in the subjunctive. If the subjects of the main clause and the
dependent clauseare the same, the infinitive is used, not the subjunctive, and que is omitted.
Me sorprende recibir su regalo. I am surprised to receivehis gift.
Quieren ir al cine. They want to go to the cinema.

Ejercicio 12. En espaol. Use the present subjunctive when you see a verb in italies. Note that if the
verb is not in italics, you may choose the present indicative or the infinitive form.
- We doubt that the boys will arrive before eight.
- He tells me to open the window now.
- Who wishes to tell a story?
- I want you to understand my point of view.
- The inspector sees that the road needs work.
- She suggests that we work on her project.

Ejercicio 13. Por qu no el subjuntivo? Explain why you did not use the subjunctive in the items of
the previous exercise where there are not italics.


Ejercicio 14. Mi nueva compaera de cuarto. Traduce. Usa el vocabulario til.
Today the Telemast Company announces the arrival of its new general manager. Bob hopes the new manager
is a nice and flexible man. It is better that the new boss understand that Bob arrives late at the office once in
a while. Bob wants to create a good first impression, and today he arrives on time. He wishes the new
manager will understand the employees need more time for lunch. It is important thet he allow his employees
to make personal calls from the office. He wishes the new manager to be very patient and not too demanding.
However, it is very probable that Bob will receive a big surprise. The individual who now occupies the
position of general manager has just arrived at Telemast. She is Mrs. Almagro. She is well known among her
friends as The Iron Lady.

Vocabulario til
arrival la llegada Iron Lady la Dama de Hierro
demanding exigente it is better ms vale (requires the
subjunctive)
general manager el/la gerente general on time a tiempo
I wish, I wish that,
if only
ojal, ojal que

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