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Uses

Spanish: AQA A Level, topic 16.16.1

Uses of the Subjunctive

The subjunctive is a mood that shows wishes, doubts or purpose, not facts. Spanish uses the subjunctive in a second clause when the subject changes. Here are the main uses.

Imperatives: affirmative

Imperatives: affirmative

  • Imperatives are commands or orders.
  • Affirmative usted and ustedes commands use the present subjunctive form.
  • Hable usted.
  • Speak, formally.
  • The nosotros command also uses the subjunctive form.
  • Hablemos.
  • Let's speak.
Imperatives: negative

Imperatives: negative

  • Negative commands use the subjunctive for every person.
  • No hables.
  • Don't speak.
  • No me digas nada.
  • Don't tell me anything.
Showing purpose

Showing purpose

  • Certain connectors that mean 'so that' trigger the subjunctive.
  • Para que, de modo que and de manera que all mean 'so that'.
  • Estudio mucho para que mis padres estén orgullosos.
  • I study hard so that my parents are proud.
Negative statements (denial)

Negative statements (denial)

  • Negative sentences that deny an opinion or a fact need the subjunctive.
  • No creo que tengas razón.
  • I do not think that you are right.
  • No pienso que sea verdad.
  • I don't think that is true.
After 'cuando'

After 'cuando'

  • The word cuando needs the subjunctive for a future event that has not happened yet.
  • Cuando uses the present tense for things that happen regularly.
  • Hablaremos cuando tengas tiempo.
  • We will talk when you have time.
After 'Ojalá'

After 'Ojalá'

  • Ojalá expresses a wish or hope and always triggers the subjunctive.
  • Ojalá llueva.
  • I hope it rains.

Uses of the Subjunctive 2

The subjunctive is a mood (it shows the intention of the speaker). It is used when we need to address another subject when using a second verb within the same sentence. Let’s see the different cases.

After verbs of wishing

After verbs of wishing

  • After verbs of wishing only when the second verb refers to another person or thing.
  • Deseo que vayamos a la playa.
  • I hope that we go to the beach.
  • Esperan que haya muchas cosas a hacer.
  • They hope that there are a lot of things to do.
After requests or recommendations

After requests or recommendations

  • After verbs of requests or recommendations only when the second verb refers to another person or thing.
  • Le pido que tengas en cuenta esta propuesta.
  • I ask you to bear in mind this proposal.
  • Quiero que te hagas tu trabajo.
  • I want you to do your work.
After 'tan pronto como'

After 'tan pronto como'

  • After the time expressions, 'cuando' and 'tan pronto como', you need to use the present subjunctive.
  • Cuando sea mayor.
    • When I am older.
  • Tan pronto como tenga información.
    • As soon as I have information.
Giving opinions about a different person or thing

Giving opinions about a different person or thing

  • After giving opinion, only when the second verb refers to another person or thing, in this case, to a specific person.
  • Me gusta que comas sano.
    • I like that you eat healthy.
  • Me gusta estudiar español..
  • I like to study Spanish.
After impersonal expressions

After impersonal expressions

  • After impersonal expressions only when the second verb refers to another person or thing, in this case, to a specific person.
  • Es bueno que comas sano.
    • It is good that you eat healthy.
  • Es bueno estudiar español..
  • It is good to study Spanish.

Test yourself on Uses

  • How do you say 'when I am older' in Spanish?

  • How do you say 'when I am older' in Spanish?

  • How do you say 'as soon as we have good news' in Spanish?

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