The subjunctive indicators are easier to learn if you understand the basic reasons to use the subjunctive that each list represents. The mnemonic device WEIRD may help you remember the five basic reasons for using the subjunctive:
- Doubt (of existence or of occurrence)
With practice, you will better understand what types of verbs, conjunctions, or situations are followed by the subjunctive. The following explanations that introduce each group of subjunctive indicators will help you understand why these lead to the use of the subjunctive. Again, it is preferable to understand the concept of the subjunctive, but you can memorize the list of verbs generally followed by the subjunctive until you attain that understanding. You should at least memorize the five categories for subjunctive indicators and try to recognize any verb that could be listed as an example for any one of these categories; most likely, it will indicate that you will use the subjunctive after que if one of these verbs is in front of que.
If the point of a sentence is to express a hope, desire, or need, the subjunctive is used for the verb that is wished. When the first clause indicates that what follows is not necessarily a reality, but rather something the subject of the first clause desires or needs, the verb after que must be in the subjunctive. It does not matter whether these are basic sentences or questions, nor does it matter whether they are affirmative or negative. You must use the subjunctive after que if one of these verbs of desire is somewhere before que.
In the sample sentences below, the subjunctive indicator is boldface and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined. Pay attention to what the subjunctive conjugation looks like and what verb was used in the beginning of the sentence that required the present subjunctive conjugation after que.
- desear = to desire, to want
- Él no desea que yo lo llame.
- He doesn't want me to call him.
- Mi perro espera que demos un paseo.
- My dog hopes that we take a walk.
- Necesitamos que tú nos presentes a tus padres.
- We need you to introduce us to your parents.
- Carlos no quiere que su hija toque el tambor.
- Carlos does not want his daughter to play the drums.
Long before you ever heard of the subjunctive, you learned to use verbs with an infinitive. In “two‐verb” sentences where there is no change of subject (and no que), the first verb is conjugated and the second is in the infinitive form. These verbs are often used without que, but only if the subject is the same for both verbs.
- Who wants? I do. Who dances? I do.
- Él desea comprar una computadora nueva.
- He wants to buy a new computer.
- Who wants? He does. Who buys? He does.
- Esperamos ganar muchos partidos.
- We hope to win a lot of games.
- Who hopes? We do. Who wins? We do.
- Todos necesitan traer sus cuadernos.
- Everyone needs to bring his or her notebook.
- Who needs? Everyone. Who brings? Everyone.
English sentences often use an infinitive even when there is a change of subject. For example, you cannot translate the following sentence into Spanish word for word: “ He doesn't want me to go.” It is better to think of this sentence as “He doesn't want that I go” because, in Spanish, you cannot use the infinitive when there are two different subjects in the sentence and the main verb is a subjunctive indicator.
One common expression used to express a wish is somewhat unusual because it is impersonal. The expression ojalá is one exception in which you use the subjunctive mood without que. An Arabic expression that means “may Allah grant that,” ojalá is used in Spanish to mean “hopefully” or “if only.” Because it is impersonal, there is no subject and it is technically not conjugated. It is always written in the same form and is always followed by the subjunctive mood even if there is no que.
Examples:
- Ojalá que traigas las direcciones.
- Hopefully, you will bring the address.
- Ojalá veamos a su novio esta noche.
- Hopefully, we will see your boyfriend tonight.
- Ojalá que no pierda su pasaporte.
- Hopefully, he will not lose his passport.
When the first clause expresses an emotion about what is happening in the second clause, the verb in the second clause (after que) is in the subjunctive mood. Therefore, verbs that express emotion are subjunctive indicators. Many verbs of emotion are very similar to the verb gustar.
The Spanish versions of “it angers me” or “it disappoints him” use an impersonal sentence structure, which means the subject of the sentence is “it.” For this reason, the verb stays in the él form. An indirect object, such as le, is used to reflect the individual who is feeling the emotion. The sample sentences below demonstrate how indirect objects other than le are used with these verbs. Notice that when the sentence is negative, the no precedes the indirect object and the verb following que is still in the subjunctive.
- (le) conmueve que = it moves (him) that
- Les conmueve que su abuela se mude hoy.
- It moves them that their grandmother is moving today.
- (le) desilusiona que = it disappoints (him) that
- No me desilusiona que tu equipo siempre pierda.
- It does not disappoint me that your team always loses.
- (le) emociona que = it thrills (him) that
- Les emociona que su músico favorito toque.
- It thrills them that their favorite musician is performing.
- (le) encanta que = it delights (him) that
- Nos encanta que ustedes nos visiten.
- It delights us that you guys visit us.
- (le) enfada que = it angers (him) that
- ¿Le enfada a Ud. que los políticos no le escuchen?
- Does it anger you that the politicians do not listen to you?
- (le) enoja que = it angers (him) that
- Me enoja que los avaros tengan todo el dinero.
- It angers me that the greedy ones have all the money.
- (le) entristece que = it saddens (him) that
- Le entristece que los pobres vivan en las calles.
- It saddens her that the poor live in the streets.
- (le) gusta que = it pleases (him) that
- No me gusta que tu siempre olvides mi cumpleaños.
- It does not please me that you always forget my birthday.
- (le) hace feliz que = it makes (him) happy that
- ¿Les hace felices que yo pinte su casa?
- Does it make them happy that I am painting their house?
- (le) hace (emoción) que = it makes (him) (emotion) that
- Nos hace feliz que no tengas ningún problema.
- It makes us happy that you do not have any problem.
- (le) irrita que = it irritates (him) that
- Les irrita que sepas todo.
- It irritates them that you know everything.
- (le) molesta que = it bothers (him) that
- A Rafael no le molesta que yo hable con su madre.
- It does not bother Rafael that I speak with his mom.
- (le) pone contento que = it makes (him) content that
- Las pone contentas que él les dé buenos consejos.
- It makes them content that he give them good advice.
- (le) pone (emoción) que = it makes (him) (emotion) that
- Te pone triste que yo no pueda asistir a tu presentación.
- It makes you sad that I cannot attend your presentation.
- (le) sorprende que = it surprises (him) that
- No me sorprende que tú quieras casarte con ella
- It does not surprise me that you want to marry her.
Listed below are more subjunctive indicators that express emotion. Unlike the verbs above, these verbs must be conjugated in order to agree with the subject of the first clause. Notice that the verb following que must be in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive indicator is bold and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined.
If the verb has se attached to the infinitive, it is reflexive. You may be able to remember reflexive pronouns after looking at the sample sentences.
- alegrarse de que = to be happy that
- Me alegro de que Raquel utilice el idioma extranjero.
- I am happy that Raquel uses the foreign language.
- enorgullecerse de que = to be proud that
- No se enorgullecen de que su hijo tenga problemas con la ley.
- They are not proud that their son has problems with the law.
- estar encantado de que = to be delighted that
- Ellas están encantadas de que les regalemos una televisión.
- They are delighted that we are giving them a TV.
- lamentar que = to regret that
- Toni lamenta que no yo esquíe cada día.
- Toni regrets that I do not ski every day.
- sentir (e> ie) que = to regret that
- Constanza y Pilar sienten que tu libro esté roto.
- Constanza and Pilar regret that your book is ripped.
- ¿Temes que tu hijo crea en monstruos?
- Are you afraid that your son believes in monsters?
- tener miedo de que = to be afraid that
- Ellos no tienen miedo de que las corporaciones los roben.
- They are not afraid that the corporations will rob them.
There are many expressions in Spanish that are considered impersonal because they do not have a specific person as the subject. They are always conjugated in the él form because the subject is “it.” These expressions often indicate some sort of opinion about the clause that follows que. Because the focus of the sentence is on the opinion being expressed rather than on the action of the verb that comes after que, that verb is in the subjunctive.
Notice in the examples that follow that the verb is already conjugated in the él form. Most of the expressions include es + adjective + que. With a few exceptions (which are explained later), any impersonal expression constructed using es + adjective + que will be followed by a verb in the subjunctive. It does not matter whether these expressions are affirmative or negative, sentences or questions.
In the sample sentences, the subjunctive indicator is bold and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined.
- conviene que = it is advisable that
- No conviene que visites sin llamar.
- It is not advisable that you visit without calling.
- más vale que = it is better that
- Más vale que tus amigos te protejan.
- It is better that your friends protect you.
- puede ser que = it may be that
- Puede ser que Rebeca no siga asistiendo a esa escuela.
- It may be that Rebeca will not continue attending that school.
- es bueno que = it is good that
- No es bueno que Daniel gima cuando tiene tarea.
- It is not good that Daniel whines when he has homework.
- es difícil que = it is unlikely that
- Es difícil que devuelva tu periódico.
- It is unlikely that he will return your magazine.
- es dudoso que = it is doubtful that
- Es dudoso que almorcemos hoy.
- It is doubtful that we will eat lunch today.
- es fácil que = it is likely that
- Es fácil que ellos castiguen al ladrón.
- It is likely that they will punish the thief.
- es fantástico que = it is fantastic that
- Es fantástico que juegues jai alai.
- It is fantastic that you play jai alai.
- es hora de que = it is time that
- ¿Es hora de que salgamos para el aeropuerto?
- Is it time that we leave for the airport?
- es importante que = it is important that
- Es importante que abrace a sus hijos .
- It is important that you hug your children.
- es imposible que = it is impossible that
- Es imposible que la televisión no influya en los niños.
- It is impossible that television does not influence children. Note: The double negation in Spanish “no and impossible” does not produce a change of the meaning to “possible,” as in English.
- es improbable que = it is unlikely that
- Es improbable que Susana se ahogue porque ella nada bien.
- It is unlikely that Susan will drown because she swims well.
- es increíble que = it is incredible that
- Es increíble que durmamos tantas horas cada noche.
- It is incredible that we sleep so many hours each night.
- es (una) lástima que = it is a shame that
- Es una lástima que Belinda se vista tan mal .
- It is a shame that Belinda dresses so badly.
- es malo que = it is bad that
- Es malo que contaminemos la naturaleza.
- It is bad that we pollute nature.
- es mejor que = it is better that
- Es mejor que escojas algo muy cómodo.
- It is better that you choose something very comfortable.
- es necesario que = it is necessary that
- No es necesario que me convenzan.
- It is not necessary that they convince me.
- es posible que = it is possible that
- Es posible que yo tenga el periódico en casa.
- It is possible that I have the newspaper at home.
- es preciso que = it is necessary that
- Es preciso que Uds. lleguen a tiempo.
- It is necessary that you arrive on time.
- es preferible que = it is preferable that
- Es preferible que Manuela lo explique.
- It is preferable that Manuela explain it.
- es ridículo que = it is ridiculous that
- Es ridículo que ella no sepa la dirección.
- It is ridiculous that she does not know the address.
- es terrible que = it is terrible that
- Es terrible que los niños no se comuniquen con sus padres.
- It is terrible that kids do not communicate with their parents.
- es triste que = it is sad that
- Es triste que la casa no valga más.
- It is sad that the house is not worth more.
An impersonal expression does not need to express doubt in order to be followed by the subjunctive, but the few impersonal expressions that completely eliminate doubt (affirmative expressions of certainty) are followed by the indicative. Note: Verbs that express certainty are subjunctive indicators only when used negatively. Look carefully at the following sample sentences for each expression in this category. These affirmative expressions of certainty are not subjunctive indicators and no verb is conjugated in the subjunctive mood, so there is nothing bold or underlined in the sample sentences.
- es claro que = it is clear that
- Es claro que el jugador le miente a su novia.
- It is clear that the player lies to his girlfriend.
- es cierto que = it is certain that
- Es cierto que no vivimos bastante.
- It is certain that we do not live enough.
- es evidente que = it is evident that
- Es evidente que la economía cambia.
- It is evident that the economy changes.
- Es que voy a perder mi vuelo si no me apresuro.
- It is that I will miss my flight if I do not hurry.
- es verdad que = it is true that
- Es verdad que tú mereces buenas notas.
- It is true that you deserve good grades.
There is one expression that must be negative in order to indicate certainty and, therefore, requires you to use the indicative mood after que. In its affirmative form, it is listed with the subjunctive indicators.
- no es dudoso que = it is not doubtful that
- No es dudoso que Diana es la verdadera líder.
- It is not doubtful Diana is the real leader.
The first group of subjunctive indicators that follow includes verbs that indicate some type of request or indirect command. The person who is the subject of the first clause requests that the subject of the second clause do something or not do something.
Because the action of the verb being requested may never occur, the verb is in the subjunctive mood. It makes no difference whether the sentences are affirmative or negative for this group of indicators. The verbs implying an indirect request are subjunctive indicators because they indicate that the verb in the clause that follows que must be in the subjunctive. The subjunctive indicator itself is used in the beginning of the sentence, so it is not conjugated in the subjunctive mood. It indicates that the verb in the second clause (after que) be conjugated in the subjunctive mood.
In the sample sentences, the subjunctive indicator is bold and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined. Pay attention to what the subjunctive conjugation looks like and the verb that was used in the beginning of the sentence that required the use of the present subjunctive after que.
- aconsejar = to advise, to warn
- Ellos me aconsejan que yo trabaje más.
- They advise me that I (should) work more.
- aprobar (o> ue) = to approve
- Elena aprueba que mi familia tenga la fiesta.
- Elena approves that my family have the party.
- Estela te dice que hagas tu tarea.
- Estela tells you to do your homework.
- Mi padre no deja que yo conduzca solo.
- My father does not permit that I drive alone.
- Los maestros se empeñan en que sus estudiantes los oigan.
- The teachers insist that their students listen to them.
- Yolanda exije que sus niños hagan sus quehaceres.
- Yolanda demands that her children do their chores.
- ¿Te gusta que te llame de vez en cuando?
- Do you like that I call you occasionally?
- Emilio hace que nosotras vengamos a verlo.
- Emilio makes us come to see him.
- impedir (e> i) = to prevent, to impede
- Sus problemas impiden que Marco tenga éxito.
- His problems prevent Mark from being successful.
- El abogado insiste en que ellos me ayuden.
- The lawyer insists that they help me.
- mandar = to order, to demand
- El jefe manda que los empleados lleguen a tiempo .
- The boss demands that the employees arrive on time.
- pedir (e> i) = to request
- Silvia pide que el camarero traiga un vaso de agua.
- Silvia requests that the waiter bring a glass of water.
- El gerente no permite que los empleados lleguen tarde.
- The manager does not permit that the employees arrive late.
- La esposa prefiere que el esposo cocine la cena.
- The wife prefers that the husband cook dinner.
- La ley no prohibe que fumen cigarrillos.
- The law does not prohibit that they smoke cigarettes.
- Berto propone que Ernesto trabaje con él.
- Berto proposes that Ernesto work with him.
- Lupe reza para que su padre se cuide .
- Lupe prays that her father will be careful.
- sugerir (e> ie) = to suggest
- El doctor sugiere que yo no coma tantos dulces.
- The doctor suggests that I do not eat so many sweets.
- Los mendigos suplican que alguien les dé dinero.
- The mendicants beg that someone give them money.