At LAE Madrid, we consider an introduction to the use of the subjunctive in Spanish necessary, as it is one of the most complex and challenging topics in language learning. If you’re familiar with it, you’ll know that the subjunctive is a somewhat “special” verb tense. If you’re not, today you’ll discover why. It’s one of the verb tenses that generates the most interest among all students, as mastering it opens up a world of possibilities in communication. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss approaching the subjunctive from scratch, starting with its conjugation, structure, and uses, so you can become an expert on the subject.
The subjunctive: first steps
The first thing we must understand about the subjunctive is its conjugation and structure. Regular verbs (those that maintain their root) in the subjunctive are the same as in the present indicative, with small variations. For example, verbs like “desayunar” (to have breakfast), “comer” (to eat), and “vivir” (to live) maintain the same root, thus they are regular verbs, but they undergo changes in the vowels in the subjunctive. So, first conjugation (-ar) verbs change the final -a vowel to -e; “yo desayune“, while second and third conjugation (-er, -ir) verbs change the final -e, -i vowel to -a; “yo coma“, “yo viva“.
On the other hand, there are irregular verbs, those that change their root, such as “empezar” (to start) and “dormir” (to sleep), whose irregularities are maintained in the subjunctive, which facilitates their learning if you already know their conjugation in the present indicative. So, in the verb “empezar,” the root -ie of the indicative (“yo empiezo” – “I start”) is maintained in the subjunctive; “yo empiece“. Similarly, with the verb “dormir,” the root of the indicative “yo duermo” (“I sleep”) is maintained in the subjunctive; “yo duerma” .
Next, we’re going to practice the subjunctive in Spanish to discover how to express wishes, as well as give recommendations, express opinions with emotions, and talk about future actions.
The subjunctive: a powerful tool for expressing wishes
The present subjunctive has different uses depending on the context. Firstly, we use the present subjunctive in Spanish to express wishes. Examples of common structures for expressing wishes include “quiero que Ana venga a mi fiesta” (“I want Ana to come to my party”), “espero que Ana venga a mi fiesta” (“I hope Ana comes to my party”) y “ojalá Ana venga a mi fiesta” (“I wish Ana would come to my party”). It is crucial to understand that whenever we express wishes with these structures, we must use the subjunctive, as they indicate a desire directed towards another person or people, as we have seen in the previous examples.
Recommendations: How to use the subjunctive to give advice
In addition to expressing wishes, the subjunctive is also used to give recommendations in Spanish. Some examples of this are: ”te recomiendo que leas este libro” (“I recommend you to read this book”) and “te aconsejo que leas este libro” (“I advise you to read this book”). These are really effective examples of how to use the subjunctive to provide our recommendations clearly and directly.
Expressing opinions with emotions through the subjunctive
Another interesting aspect of the subjunctive is its ability to express opinions with emotions. Through phrases like “me gusta que estés en mi fiesta” (“I like that you’re at my party”),”me encanta que estés en mi fiesta” (“I love that you’re at my party”), and “no soporto que estés en mi fiesta” (“I can’t stand that you’re at my party”), we can convey our feelings in an energetic and decisive manner. This variety of expressions, all using the subjunctive, allows us to effectively communicate our emotions and feelings in Spanish.
If you want to learn more about how to use the subjunctive correctly, check out this article that we consider very useful for clarifying all your doubts.
Future actions: How to use the subjunctive with the word “cuando”
Lastly, the subjunctive is also used to express future actions, especially with the word “cuando”. Phrases like “cuando puedas, contéstame el email” (“whenever you can, answer me the email”) and “cuando quieras, contéstame el email” (“whenever you want, answer me the email), allow us to invite people to take action whenever it’s convenient for them, without pressuring them.
In summary, the subjunctive is a versatile and powerful linguistic tool in Spanish that allows us to express desires, give recommendations, share opinions with emotions, and propose future actions. Despite its complexity, understanding and using the subjunctive correctly will greatly enhance your skills in the Spanish language and strengthen your ability to express yourself, adding nuances and depth to your interactions with others in Spanish.
We hope this introduction to the subjunctive in Spanish has been helpful and has sparked your interest in learning more! Don’t miss our upcoming blogs where we’ll continue to explore grammar and provide practical tips for using it effectively in your Spanish communication.
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