The Subjunctive (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
The Subjunctive
Overview
The subjunctive (el subjuntivo in Spanish) is one of three grammatical moods used in Spanish, alongside the indicative and imperative. A mood is a way of categorising verb forms that shows the speaker's attitude towards what they're saying.
Spanish speakers use the subjunctive far more often than English speakers do. Whilst English sometimes uses subjunctive forms (such as "If I were you..." or "I suggest that he go..."), Spanish employs it regularly in everyday conversation.
The subjunctive expresses several key concepts:
- Wishes and desires
- Hopes and preferences
- Doubt and uncertainty
- Emotions and reactions
- Obligations and necessity
The subjunctive typically appears in subordinate clauses (dependent parts of a sentence), and you'll usually spot the word que (that) just before the subjunctive verb. This connecting word is crucial for recognising when the subjunctive is needed.
When to use the subjunctive
Will, desire and orders
The subjunctive appears in dependent clauses following expressions of will, desire and orders when there are two different subjects in the sentence.
The Two-Subject Rule
The main clause and the subordinate clause must have different subjects, linked by the word que. This is one of the most important rules for using the subjunctive correctly.
Here are common verbs that trigger the subjunctive in this context:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| querer que | to want that... |
| pedir que | to ask that... |
| preferir que | to prefer that... |
| ordenar que | to order that... |
| esperar que | to hope that... |
| mandar que | to order that... |
| desear que | to desire that... |
| exigir que | to require that... |
Example: Different Subjects Triggering the Subjunctive
Quieren que yo les haga un trabajo. They want me to do a job for them.
In this sentence, "they" (the subject of the main clause) want "me" (the subject of the subordinate clause) to do something. Because the subjects differ, the subjunctive (haga) is used.
Example: Expressing Hope About an Uncertain Future
Espero que el español se vuelva tal vez otro idioma oficial de los Estados Unidos. I hope that Spanish becomes maybe another official language in the United States.
Here, "I" hope that "Spanish" (different subject) becomes something. The subjunctive (se vuelva) expresses this hope about an uncertain future event.
Emotions and reactions
The subjunctive follows expressions of emotion and reactions to something. These sentences involve a change of subject from the main clause to the subordinate clause.
A common structure that triggers the subjunctive is: es + adjective + que
Here are frequent expressions of emotion that require the subjunctive:
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| me gusta que | I like that | es fundamental que | it is key that |
| me molesta que | it annoys me that | sentir que | to be sorry that |
| me encanta que | I am delighted that | es bueno que | it is good that |
| me sorprende que | I am surprised that | es inútil que | it is useless that |
| es bonito que | it is nice that | temer que | to fear that |
| es importante que | it is important that | es urgente que | it is urgent that |
| es triste que | it is sad that | tener miedo de que | to fear that |
| es justo que | it is fair that | es absurdo que | it is absurd that |
Example: Emotional Reaction with Subjunctive
Es muy bonito que sepan los dos idiomas. It is very nice that they speak both languages.
The speaker finds it nice (emotion) that they (different subject) speak two languages. This emotional reaction triggers the subjunctive (sepan).
Important exceptions
Exceptions: Expressions of Certainty
The expressions es cierto que (it is certain that), es verdad que (it is true that), es obvio que (it is obvious that), and es evidente que (it is evident that) are followed by the indicative, not the subjunctive, because they express certainty rather than emotion.
Example: Certainty Expression with Indicative
Es verdad que hay ciertos principios que uno puede aplicar. It is true that there are some principles that one can apply.
Here, the indicative (hay) is used because the statement expresses a fact, not an emotion.
However, when these expressions appear in the negative, the subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause:
Example: Negative Certainty Expression with Subjunctive
No es evidente que tengas razón. It is not evident that you are right.
The negative form introduces doubt, so the subjunctive (tengas) is required.
Negative opinions and doubt
The subjunctive appears in dependent clauses following verbs and expressions of doubt or negative opinions, again when there are two different subjects linked by que.
Common expressions that trigger the subjunctive:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| no creer que | to not believe that... |
| no pensar que | to not think that... |
| dudar que | to doubt that... |
| no opinar que | to not think that... |
| no me/te/le/nos/les parece que | it doesn't seem to me/you/him/us/them that... |
Example: Doubt Triggering the Subjunctive
La verdad no, no creo que eso sea correcto. Actually no, I do not think this is fair.
The speaker doubts or disbelieves (negative opinion), so the subjunctive (sea) is used.
Important Contrast: Affirmative vs. Negative Opinions
When these opinion expressions appear in affirmative statements, they are followed by the indicative, not the subjunctive. Compare:
- Affirmative (Indicative): Creo que voy a quedarme... (I think I will stay...)
- Negative (Subjunctive): No creo que eso sea correcto. (I don't think this is fair.)
This is because affirmative opinions express certainty, whilst negative opinions express doubt.
Example: Affirmative Opinion with Indicative
Creo que voy a quedarme con una familia para que pueda practicar español en la casa. I think I will stay with a family so that I can practise Spanish at home.
Here, "creo que" (I think that) in the affirmative expresses certainty, so the indicative (voy) follows. Notice, however, that "para que" later in the sentence still triggers the subjunctive (pueda) - we'll explore this in the next section.
Conjunctions with subjunctive
Conjunctions That Always Trigger the Subjunctive
Certain conjunctions always trigger the subjunctive when they introduce a subordinate clause with a new subject. Remember that the subjects of the subordinate clause and the main clause must be different.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| para que | so that |
| sin que | without |
| a menos que | unless that |
| con tal de que | provided that |
| antes de que | before that |
| a fin de que | in order that |
| quizás | maybe |
| ojalá | hopefully |
| tal vez | maybe |
Example: Purpose Conjunction with Subjunctive
Siempre le danzábamos...para que la cosecha fuera buena. We always danced for her... so that the harvest was good.
The conjunction "para que" (so that) triggers the imperfect subjunctive (fuera) because it expresses purpose or intention.
Example: Conditional Conjunction with Subjunctive
A menos que a usted le guste pizza de papel o de cartón no lo recomiendo... Unless you like paper or cardboard pizza I would not recommend it.
The conjunction "a menos que" (unless) requires the subjunctive (guste) to express the conditional nature of the statement.
Aunque (although)
After the conjunction aunque (although), both the indicative and the subjunctive can be used, depending on the meaning:
Aunque with Indicative: Stating a Fact
When stating a known fact, use the indicative after "aunque":
Aunque toda mi vida he vivido aquí en los Estados Unidos. Although all my life I have lived here in the United States.
The indicative (he vivido) is used because this is a factual statement.
Aunque with Subjunctive: Expressing Hypothetical Situations
When expressing concession or hypothetical situations, use the subjunctive after "aunque":
Aunque crezcas entre la pobreza, aunque crezcas entre la ignorancia, aunque crezcas entre gente que, entre las pandillas ahí... no es excusa alguna como para que tú decidas hacer decisiones incorrectas en tu vida. Although you grow up among poverty, although you grow up among ignorance, although you grow up among people that, among gangs uh... that is not an excuse for choosing to make wrong decisions in your life.
The subjunctive (crezcas) is used here to express a hypothetical or generalized situation, not a specific fact.
Time expressions
Time expressions require the subjunctive when they refer to a future event. This is because future events are uncertain and haven't happened yet.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| cuando | when |
| hasta que | until |
| en cuanto | as soon as |
| tan pronto como | as soon as |
| después de que | after |
Example: Future Time Expression with Subjunctive
Repito y repito la palabra hasta que me salga bien. I repeat the word again and again until it sounds right.
The subjunctive (salga) is used after "hasta que" (until) because the outcome (the word sounding right) is a future, uncertain event.
Time Expressions with Past or Habitual Actions
When these time expressions refer to past events or habitual actions (not future), they take the indicative instead. The key is whether the event is uncertain and in the future, or known and in the past.
Si (if) clauses
The subjunctive appears in hypothetical clauses with si (if), typically alongside the conditional or past conditional mood. These structures express unreal or contrary-to-fact situations.
Example: Hypothetical Si Clause
Si hubiera ahorrado más, ahora tendría más dinero. If I had saved more, now I would have more money.
This uses the pluperfect subjunctive (hubiera ahorrado) in the "if" clause to express a hypothetical past situation, paired with the conditional (tendría) in the main clause.
Common mistakes and tips
Mistake 1: Forgetting the Two-Subject Rule
Students often use the subjunctive when there's only one subject. Remember: if the subject doesn't change, you typically use an infinitive instead.
- ❌ Incorrect: Quiero que yo vaya (trying to say "I want to go")
- ✓ Correct: Quiero ir (I want to go)
- ✓ Correct: Quiero que tú vayas (I want you to go - two different subjects)
Mistake 2: Using Indicative After Conjunctions That Always Need Subjunctive
Conjunctions like "para que", "sin que", "a menos que" always require the subjunctive, regardless of context.
- ❌ Incorrect: Lo hago para que tú puedes aprender
- ✓ Correct: Lo hago para que tú puedas aprender (I do it so that you can learn)
Mistake 3: Confusing Affirmative and Negative Opinion Expressions
"Creo que" (I think that) takes the indicative, but "no creo que" (I don't think that) takes the subjunctive.
- ✓ Correct: Creo que es verdad (I think it is true - indicative)
- ✓ Correct: No creo que sea verdad (I don't think it is true - subjunctive)
Mistake 4: Using Subjunctive with "Es Verdad Que" in Affirmative Statements
Remember that expressions of certainty like "es verdad que" take the indicative when affirmative, but subjunctive when negative.
- ✓ Correct: Es verdad que viene (It is true that he/she is coming - indicative)
- ✓ Correct: No es verdad que venga (It is not true that he/she is coming - subjunctive)
Mistake 5: Forgetting About Future Time Expressions
When time expressions like "cuando" or "hasta que" refer to future events, they need the subjunctive.
- ✓ Correct: Cuando llegue, te llamaré (When I arrive, I'll call you - future, so subjunctive)
- ✓ Correct: Cuando llegué, te llamé (When I arrived, I called you - past, so indicative)
Top Tip: Look for "Que"
Look for the word que - it's usually your signal that a subjunctive might be coming! Also, always check: are there two different subjects? If yes, and you're using one of the trigger verbs or expressions, you'll need the subjunctive.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
-
The subjunctive appears in subordinate clauses, typically after que, and expresses wishes, emotions, doubt, uncertainty, or hypothetical situations.
-
The two-subject rule is crucial: the subjunctive is needed when the subject of the main clause differs from the subject of the subordinate clause.
-
Certain verbs and expressions always trigger the subjunctive:
- Will/desire: querer que, esperar que
- Emotions: me gusta que, es importante que
- Doubt: no creer que, dudar que
- Specific conjunctions: para que, sin que, a menos que
-
Exceptions exist: expressions of certainty (es verdad que, es evidente que) take the indicative in affirmative statements but switch to subjunctive in negative statements.
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Time expressions referring to future events (cuando, hasta que, en cuanto) require the subjunctive, whilst the same expressions referring to past or habitual actions take the indicative.