1. Los usos del subjuntivo
Español IV
Los usos del subjuntivo

2. Previamente…

3. Como formar el subjuntivo
Go to the yo.
Make sure to include any stem-changes or yo-go verbs.
Drop the –o.
Add the opposite vowel.
-ar verbs will use e
-er/-ir verbs will a

4. Subjunctive endings -ar verbsyo -e
nosotros/as
-emos tú
-es
vosotros/as
-éis él
ella
Ud.
ellos
ellas
Uds.
-en

5. Subjunctive endings -er/-ir verbsyo -a
nosotros/as
-amos tú
-as
vosotros/as
-áis él
ella
Ud.
ellos
ellas
Uds.
-an

6. La formula 1 2 3 Subject #1 (indicative verb) que
que
This is the conjunction necessary to introduce the subjunctive clause
Subject #2 + verb in the subjunctive
(Must have a different subject from subject #1)

7. Complex Sentences
Definition: Two thoughts, one complete and one incomplete, joined together in the same sentence.
The main clause is a complete thought, albeit a short one.
I insist…
…that we play chess.
main clause / independent clause
(can stand alone as a sentence)
subordinate clause / dependent clause
(cannot stand alone as a sentence)

8. Complex Sentences

9. Complex Sentences
The subjunctive only can occur in a dependent clause.
However, not all dependent clauses require the subjunctive.

10. Los usos del subjuntivo

11. Adjectival Clauses
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that functions like an adjective.
If the adjectival clause reports factual information about a specific subject
Use indicative in the adjectival clause
If the adjectival clause comments on a nonspecific subject (nonexistent or hypothetical)
Use subjunctive in the adjectival clause

12. Adjectival Clauses
Conozco un restaurante que se especializa en platos vegetarianos.
Buscamos un restaurante que se especialice en cocina caribeña.
The restaurant exists → indicative
The restaurant doesn’t exist/hypothetical → subjunctive

13. Adjectival Clauses
With adjectival clauses, the entire clause can be replaced with a simple adjective. This is a hint that you have an adjectival clause.
Conozco un restaurante que se especializa en platos vegetarianos.
Buscamos un restaurante que se especialice en cocina caribeña.
Conozco un restaurante famoso.
Buscamos un restaurante famoso.

14. Uso No 1: Nonexistent
Must be talking about something that you believe doesn’t exist.
Buscar … que …
to look for…
No conocer a nadie que …
to not know anyone who…
No hay ningún/ninguna que …
there isn’t anyone who…

15. Nominal Clauses
A nominal clause is a dependent clause that functions like a noun.
It can either be the subject or the direct object of a sentence.

16. Nominal Clauses
If the noun clause is part of a sentence that reports factual information
Use indicative in the noun clause
If the noun clause is a part of a sentence that gives commentary, opinion, subjective reaction, or value judgment,
Use subjunctive in the noun clause

17. Nominal Clauses Es verdad que la fotografía es interesante.
Dudo que la fotografía sea interesante.
Part of reporting fact → indicative
Part of reporting value judgment → subjunctive

18. Uso No 2: Recommendations
Aconsejar que …
to advice that
Preferir que … (e-ie)
to prefer that
Recomendar que … (e-ie)
to recommend that
Sugerir que … (e-ie)
to suggest that

19. Uso no 3: Will, wish, hope Decir que … (e-i) to tell (___) to
Desear que …
to desire that
Esperar que …
to hope that
Exigir que…
to demand that
Impedir que… (e-i)
to prevent from
Insistir en que …
to insist that
Mandar que…
to command that

20. Uso no 3: Will, wish, hope Necesitar que … to need to Pedir que… (e-i)
to ask to
Permitir que …
to permit to
Preferir que … (e-ie)
to prefer that
Prohibir que …
to prohibit from
Querer que … (e-ie)
to want to
Rogar que …
to plead that

21. Uso no 3: Will, wish, hope Special word: Ojalá que… To hope that
Never has a subject for ojalá
Derives from Arabic: Oh, allah…

22. Uso no 4: Doubt, denial Dudar que … to doubt that Es dudoso que …
It’s doubtful that…
No creer que …
to not believe that
No estar seguro(a) de que …
It’s not for sure that...
No ser cierto que …
It’s not certain that…
No ser verdad que …
It’s not true that…
Ser (im)posible que …
It’s (im)possible that…

23. Uso no 4: Doubt, denial
If you use these phrases in the affirmative, they take the indicative.
No creo que Sr. Miga sea chistoso. (Subjunctive – doubt)
Creo que Sr. Miga es chistoso. (Indicative – no doubt)

24. Uso no 4: Doubt, denial Special words Tal vez – maybe, perhaps
Quizás – perhaps, maybe
Quizás Sr. Miga reciba mil dólares hoy.
Tal vez – maybe, perhaps
Tal vez llueva las albóndigas.

25. Uso no 5: Emotions
With these phrases, you MUST have an emotion to use the subjunctive.
Me parece que el presidente es inteligente. (Not subjunctive – no emotion)
Me parece interesante que el presidente no sea inteligente. (Subjunctive – emotion included)
Estar (emoción) que…
to be (emotion) that
Parecerse (emoción) que …
to seem (emotion) that

26. Uso no 5: Emotions Alegrarse de que … to be happy that
Enojarse de que …
to be mad that
Importarle que …
to not be important that
Molestarle que …
to bother/bug that
Sentir que … (e-ie)
to feel that
Temer que ...
to fear that

27. Uso no 6: Judgment (Sometimes called impersonal)
Es importante que ….
It’s important that…
Es inaceptable que …
It’s unacceptable that…
Es incomprensible que …
It’s incomprehensible that…
Es interesante que …
It’s interesting that…
Es necesario que …
It’s necessary that…

28. Uso no 6: Judgment (Sometimes called impersonal)
Es obligatorio que …
It’s obligatory that…
Es preferible que …
It’s preferrible that…
Es raro que …
It’s rare that…
Es sorprendente que …
It’s surprising that…
Es una lástima que …
It’s a shame that…

29. El indicativo vs el subjuntivo

30. Indicative versus Subjunctive
The indicative is used to express what is objectively known or believed to be true. In other words, lots of people believe it is the truth.
The subjunctive is subjective and deals with the realm of internal perceptions.

31. Indicative versus Subjunctive
English has a subjunctive, but it is rarely used. It is typically translated “to [verb]”. “that [verb]”, or sometimes “will [verb].” However, these translations can also be in other moods or verb tenses. Therefore, it is important you memorize the various categories when the subjunctive is used. This is one time where translating may get you in trouble.

32. Ways to Remember U Unknown W Wishes, wants E Emotions I
Impersonal expressions R
Recommendations D
Doubt, denial O
Ojalá

33. Ways to Remember W Wishes, wants E Emotions D Doubts Demands I
Impersonal expressions N
Negation G
God grant