Well, don\u2019t worry. Hopefully after reading this quick guide to the most hated aspect of Spanish grammar, you\u2019ll feel more confident and ready to make it a part of your regular speech.<\/p>\n
In order to become more comfortable with the Spanish subjunctive, you have to change your way of thinking about it. It\u2019s not really a tense–it\u2019s a mood<\/em>.<\/p>\n Tense refers to time (past, present, future); mood refers more to the certainty or uncertainty surrounding the statement being made. The subjunctive is used, more often than not, when you want to add an air of \u201cuncertainty\u201d to what you\u2019re saying.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re using the subjunctive, you\u2019re going to have two<\/strong> subjects! This goes along perfectly with the \u201cuncertainty\u201d element. If I\u2019m talking about myself, I can be pretty sure that I know what I\u2019m saying (I like cheese- plain and simple, no questions asked, no doubt in my mind).<\/p>\n But if I\u2019m talking about what I think<\/em> other people may be feeling, thinking, or should be doing, I can\u2019t know for sure that what I\u2019m saying is true (I think he likes cheese- maybe he does, maybe he doesn\u2019t, who can say for certain unless you\u2019re \u2018him\u2019).<\/p>\n However, if I do know for sure that he likes cheese, I don\u2019t need to add the first subject (me) to my statement. (He likes cheese. So, in short, one subject=I know what I\u2019m talking about.)<\/p>\n And one more rule to remember with the subjunctive– you will always have two<\/strong> verbs.<\/p>\n The most common uses of the subjunctive can be broken down into a few simple categories. One easy way to remember them is with the acronym WEIRDO. (And hey, the subjunctive is pretty weird, so that shouldn\u2019t be hard to remember!)<\/p>\n This is pretty much what it sounds like. Anything you wish, want, hope for, expect, etc. from someone else, you will use the subjunctive.<\/p>\n For example- I hope that he can come to the party- Espero que pueda venir a la fiesta<\/em>. OR He wants me to go to the party- Quiere que vaya a la fiesta. <\/em><\/p>\n (Note the use of two different subjects!! With just one it would be: Espero poder ir a la fiesta<\/em>– I hope I can go to the party.)<\/p>\n Other verbs\/ phrases:<\/strong><\/p>\n Anytime you want to say you\u2019re happy, sad, angry, etc. with someone\/ something else, you\u2019ll use the subjunctive.<\/p>\n For example- It annoys me that he talks a lot- Me molesta que hable mucho<\/em>.<\/p>\n Other verbs\/phrases<\/strong><\/p>\n *Note- these are \u201cverbs like \u2018gustar\u2019\u201d meaning- it\u2019s the object of the sentence that\u2019s doing the action. Example- Me gusta que hable despacio<\/em>— It is pleasing to me that he speaks slowly.<\/p>\n **Note- these are reflexive verbs meaning- the object and the subject are usually<\/em> the same. Example: Me alegro de que vayas con nosotros<\/em>–I am (myself) happy that you are going with us.<\/p>\n If something is subjective- i.e. your opinion- but you want to state it in an impersonal way, you would use one of the following expressions followed by the subjunctive.<\/p>\n Example- It\u2019s strange that he\u2019s late. Es raro que est\u00e9 tarde<\/em>.<\/p>\n Other verbs\/ phrases<\/strong><\/p>\n Telling someone to do something, whether it\u2019s as a recommendation or a suggestion, you have to use the subjunctive.<\/p>\n Example<\/strong>: I suggest that you study regularly. Sugiero que estudies con frecuencia<\/em>.<\/p>\n Other verbs\/ phrases<\/strong><\/p>\n If you don\u2019t believe something, or aren\u2019t 100% sure about what you\u2019re saying- you guessed it!- you use the subjunctive.<\/p>\n Example: I don\u2019t think he\u2019s telling the truth No creo que diga la verdad. <\/em><\/p>\n Other verbs\/ phrases<\/strong><\/p>\n This is a fun word that has Arabic origins (It\u2019s a way of saying \u201cOh Allah\u201d). In English we may say something like \u201cGod willing\u2026\u201d or \u201cI really hope…\u201d Well, this is sort of a way of saying the same thing.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong> I hope to God\/ really hope I can go to the party- Ojal\u00e1 pueda ir a la fiesta. <\/em><\/p>\n Note: One common mistake that English speakers make with this construction is that they want to add the \u201cque\u201d that is so often used with the subjunctive. Espero que<\/strong> pueda ir. Ojal\u00e1 pueda ir.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a moment and talk briefly about the second requirement mentioned earlier for using the subjunctive–two verbs. This doesn\u2019t mean that you have to have two DIFFERENT verbs. Just that there has to be at least two verbs in the sentence. Let me explain.<\/p>\n You know that famous song \u201cI want you to want me… \u201c? Well, right there, you\u2019re expressing a wish or desire, you have two subjects, and you have two verbs even though they are both \u201cwant.\u201d So, the song would go \u201cQuiero que me quieras\u2026<\/em>\u201d with the second \u201cwant\u201d conjugated to the subjunctive.<\/p>\n Adding to our idea of a \u201cmood\u201d of uncertainty, there\u2019s one other common use of the subjunctive that you should be aware of. It\u2019s when talking about something that will happen in the future, and includes the phrase \u201cwhen\u2026\u201d (\u201ccuando\u2026\u201d or \u201cen cuanto\u2026\u201d)<\/p>\n For example:<\/strong> When I know, I will tell you- Cuando\/ En cuanto sepa, te lo dir\u00e9. <\/em><\/p>\n But, what\u2019s the difference between the two sentences below:<\/p>\n Cuando llego a casa, como la merienda. (When I get home, I eat a snack.)<\/p>\n Cuando llegue a casa, voy a comer la merienda. (When I get home, I am going to eat a snack.)<\/p>\n Simple. The first sentence is talking about something that\u2019s a routine–it\u2019s something you do regularly, so you know you\u2019ll continue to do it (When I get home -everyday- I eat a snack).<\/p>\n The second is something that\u2019s out of the ordinary, a plan you\u2019ve made, but you can\u2019t be certain that it will play out the way you intend (When I get home -today- I will eat a snack). It\u2019s talking about a specific moment in the future that hasn\u2019t happened yet, so you can\u2019t be 100% sure that it will.<\/p>\n Learning the subjunctive can be very frustrating at times. But, if you change your way of thinking about it, you may find that it\u2019s not all that bad! Remember, it\u2019s just a way of adding a different \u201cfeeling\u201d to what you\u2019re saying.<\/p>\n If you wish for something, or recommend that someone do something, you can\u2019t be certain that it will happen! If you express a subjective opinion, you can\u2019t know for a fact that it\u2019s what everyone else thinks or feels, hence, you can\u2019t be sure that it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n So, next time you find yourself getting flustered when trying to use this most hated part of Spanish grammar, just remember–the subjunctive is WEIRD(O)!<\/p>\n More articles like this:<\/p>\n The Imperative Voice in Spanish<\/strong><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n The Ultimate Guide to Spanish Future Tense<\/strong><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For most language learners, the mere mention of “Spanish subjunctive\u201d is enough to instill fear. It\u2019s something especially troublesome for English speakers, because while we do have a subjunctive in English, it\u2019s nowhere near as frequent or apparently complicated as it is in Spanish. I bet you didn\u2019t even know we had one! Well, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":" For most language learners, the mere mention of \"Spanish subjunctive\u201d is enough to instill fear.<\/p> It\u2019s something especially troublesome for English speakers, because while we do have a subjunctive in English<\/a>, it\u2019s nowhere near as frequent or apparently complicated as it is in Spanish. I bet you didn\u2019t even know we had one! <\/p> Well, don\u2019t worry. Hopefully after reading this quick guide to the most hated aspect of Spanish grammar, you\u2019ll feel more confident and ready to make it a part of your regular speech.<\/p><\/div> In order to become more comfortable with the Spanish subjunctive, you have to change your way of thinking about it. It\u2019s not really a tense--it\u2019s a mood<\/em>.<\/p> Tense refers to time (past, present, future); mood refers more to the certainty or uncertainty surrounding the statement being made. The subjunctive is used, more often than not, when you want to add an air of \u201cuncertainty\u201d to what you\u2019re saying.<\/p> If you\u2019re using the subjunctive, you\u2019re going to have two<\/strong> subjects! This goes along perfectly with the \u201cuncertainty\u201d element. If I\u2019m talking about myself, I can be pretty sure that I know what I\u2019m saying (I like cheese- plain and simple, no questions asked, no doubt in my mind).<\/p> But if I\u2019m talking about what I think<\/em> other people may be feeling, thinking, or should be doing, I can\u2019t know for sure that what I\u2019m saying is true (I think he likes cheese- maybe he does, maybe he doesn\u2019t, who can say for certain unless you\u2019re \u2018him\u2019).<\/p> However, if I do know for sure that he likes cheese, I don\u2019t need to add the first subject (me) to my statement. (He likes cheese. So, in short, one subject=I know what I\u2019m talking about.)<\/p> And one more rule to remember with the subjunctive-- you will always have two<\/strong> verbs.<\/p> The most common uses of the subjunctive can be broken down into a few simple categories. One easy way to remember them is with the acronym WEIRDO. (And hey, the subjunctive is pretty weird, so that shouldn\u2019t be hard to remember!)<\/p> This is pretty much what it sounds like. Anything you wish, want, hope for, expect, etc. from someone else, you will use the subjunctive.<\/p> For example- I hope that he can come to the party- Espero que pueda venir a la fiesta<\/em>. OR He wants me to go to the party- Quiere que vaya a la fiesta. <\/em><\/p> (Note the use of two different subjects!! With just one it would be: Espero poder ir a la fiesta<\/em>- I hope I can go to the party.)<\/p> Other verbs\/ phrases:<\/strong><\/p> Anytime you want to say you\u2019re happy, sad, angry, etc. with someone\/ something else, you\u2019ll use the subjunctive.<\/p> For example- It annoys me that he talks a lot- Me molesta que hable mucho<\/em>.<\/p> Other verbs\/phrases<\/strong><\/p> *Note- these are \u201cverbs like \u2018gustar\u2019\u201d meaning- it\u2019s the object of the sentence that\u2019s doing the action. Example- Me gusta que hable despacio<\/em>-- It is pleasing to me that he speaks slowly.<\/p> **Note- these are reflexive verbs meaning- the object and the subject are usually<\/em> the same. Example: Me alegro de que vayas con nosotros<\/em>--I am (myself) happy that you are going with us.<\/p> If something is subjective- i.e. your opinion- but you want to state it in an impersonal way, you would use one of the following expressions followed by the subjunctive.<\/p> Example- It\u2019s strange that he\u2019s late. Es raro que est\u00e9 tarde<\/em>.<\/p> Other verbs\/ phrases<\/strong><\/p> Telling someone to do something, whether it\u2019s as a recommendation or a suggestion, you have to use the subjunctive.<\/p> Example<\/strong>: I suggest that you study regularly. Sugiero que estudies con frecuencia<\/em>.<\/p> Other verbs\/ phrases<\/strong><\/p> If you don\u2019t believe something, or aren\u2019t 100% sure about what you\u2019re saying- you guessed it!- you use the subjunctive.<\/p> Example: I don\u2019t think he\u2019s telling the truth No creo que diga la verdad. <\/em><\/p> Other verbs\/ phrases<\/strong><\/p> [thrive_leads id='2254']<\/p> This is a fun word that has Arabic origins (It\u2019s a way of saying \u201cOh Allah\u201d). In English we may say something like \u201cGod willing\u2026\u201d or \u201cI really hope...\u201d Well, this is sort of a way of saying the same thing.<\/p> Example:<\/strong> I hope to God\/ really hope I can go to the party- Ojal\u00e1 pueda ir a la fiesta. <\/em><\/p> Note: One common mistake that English speakers make with this construction is that they want to add the \u201cque\u201d that is so often used with the subjunctive. Espero que<\/strong> pueda ir. Ojal\u00e1 pueda ir.<\/p> Let\u2019s take a moment and talk briefly about the second requirement mentioned earlier for using the subjunctive--two verbs. This doesn\u2019t mean that you have to have two DIFFERENT verbs. Just that there has to be at least two verbs in the sentence. Let me explain.<\/p> You know that famous song \u201cI want you to want me... \u201c? Well, right there, you\u2019re expressing a wish or desire, you have two subjects, and you have two verbs even though they are both \u201cwant.\u201d So, the song would go \u201cQuiero que me quieras\u2026<\/em>\u201d with the second \u201cwant\u201d conjugated to the subjunctive.<\/p> Adding to our idea of a \u201cmood\u201d of uncertainty, there\u2019s one other common use of the subjunctive that you should be aware of. It\u2019s when talking about something that will happen in the future, and includes the phrase \u201cwhen\u2026\u201d (\u201ccuando\u2026\u201d or \u201cen cuanto\u2026\u201d)<\/p> For example:<\/strong> When I know, I will tell you- Cuando\/ En cuanto sepa, te lo dir\u00e9. <\/em><\/p> But, what\u2019s the difference between the two sentences below:<\/p> Cuando llego a casa, como la merienda. (When I get home, I eat a snack.)<\/p> Cuando llegue a casa, voy a comer la merienda. (When I get home, I am going to eat a snack.)<\/p> Simple. The first sentence is talking about something that\u2019s a routine--it\u2019s something you do regularly, so you know you\u2019ll continue to do it (When I get home -everyday- I eat a snack).<\/p> The second is something that\u2019s out of the ordinary, a plan you\u2019ve made, but you can\u2019t be certain that it will play out the way you intend (When I get home -today- I will eat a snack). It\u2019s talking about a specific moment in the future that hasn\u2019t happened yet, so you can\u2019t be 100% sure that it will.<\/p> Learning the subjunctive can be very frustrating at times. But, if you change your way of thinking about it, you may find that it\u2019s not all that bad! Remember, it\u2019s just a way of adding a different \u201cfeeling\u201d to what you\u2019re saying.<\/p> If you wish for something, or recommend that someone do something, you can\u2019t be certain that it will happen! If you express a subjective opinion, you can\u2019t know for a fact that it\u2019s what everyone else thinks or feels, hence, you can\u2019t be sure that it\u2019s true.<\/p> So, next time you find yourself getting flustered when trying to use this most hated part of Spanish grammar, just remember--the subjunctive is WEIRD(O)!<\/p> More articles like this:<\/p>![\"Spanish](\"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/spanish-subjunctive-guide-fb.png\" "\\"spanish-subjunctive-guide-fb\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nFirst Things First…<\/h2>\n
A few basic things to remember about the Spanish Subjunctive<\/h2>\n
The different ways we can use the subjunctive.<\/h2>\n
W- Wishes<\/h2>\n
\n
E- Emotions<\/h2>\n
\n
I- Impersonal Expressions<\/h2>\n
\n
R- Recommendations<\/h2>\n
\n
D- Doubts<\/h2>\n
\n
O- Ojal\u00e1<\/h2>\n
One last thing\u2026<\/h2>\n
In conclusion…<\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/div>First Things First...<\/h2>
A few basic things to remember about the Spanish Subjunctive<\/h2>
The different ways we can use the subjunctive.<\/h2>
W- Wishes<\/h2>
E- Emotions<\/h2>
I- Impersonal Expressions<\/h2>
R- Recommendations<\/h2>
D- Doubts<\/h2>
O- Ojal\u00e1<\/h2>
One last thing\u2026<\/h2>
In conclusion...<\/h2>