The rule, in plain English
Treat the subjunctive as a special verb form that often follows a trigger such as quiero que, espero que, es importante que, no creo que, or ojalá. Use it when the second action is wanted, hoped for, recommended, or uncertain: Quiero que vengas (I want you to come). If the same person does both actions, use the dictionary form instead: Quiero venir (I want to come).
Why it's hard for English speakers
English usually gives no visible warning in I hope you are well, but Spanish changes estás to estés after Espero que. At first, learn the trigger and example together: Espero que estés bien. Then use the tables to see how the endings are made.
Worked examples
Start with these worked examples, then reveal more when you are ready.
- Quiero que vengas conmigo.I want you to come with me.Wishes and wants: Quiero que expresses a wish about another person's action, so venir is subjunctive.
- Esperamos que tengas un buen viaje.We hope you have a good trip.Wishes and wants: Esperar que introduces a hoped-for outcome and takes the subjunctive.
- Mi madre prefiere que vuelva temprano.My mother prefers me to return early.Wishes and wants: Preferir que plus a different subject triggers the subjunctive vuelva.
- Deseo que todo salga bien.I hope everything goes well.Wishes and wants: Desear que expresses a wish; salga is the subjunctive of salir.
- ¿Quieres que abra la ventana?Do you want me to open the window?Wishes and wants: The subjects change from tú to yo, so querer is followed by que + subjunctive.
- No queremos que lleguéis tarde.We do not want you all to arrive late.Wishes and wants: A negative wish still triggers the subjunctive; llegar changes g to gu.
- Te recomiendo que descanses.I recommend that you rest.Advice and recommendations: A recommendation about another person's action takes the subjunctive.
- Es importante que estudiemos cada día.It is important that we study every day.Advice and recommendations: An impersonal evaluation with que triggers the subjunctive estudiemos.
- Es mejor que tomes el autobús.It is better for you to take the bus.Advice and recommendations: Es mejor que gives advice and takes the subjunctive.
- El médico pide que beba más agua.The doctor asks you to drink more water.Advice and recommendations: Pedir que introduces a requested action and takes the subjunctive.
- Es necesario que traigáis el pasaporte.It is necessary for you all to bring your passports.Advice and recommendations: Es necesario que triggers the subjunctive; traer uses traig-.
- La profesora aconseja que practiquemos más.The teacher advises us to practise more.Advice and recommendations: Aconsejar que is followed by the subjunctive for the advised action.
Regular present subjunctive
| Subject | hablar | comer | vivir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | hable | coma | viva |
| Tú | hables | comas | vivas |
| Él/Ella | hable | coma | viva |
| Usted | hable | coma | viva |
| Nosotros/as | hablemos | comamos | vivamos |
| Vosotros/as | habléis | comáis | viváis |
| Ellos/Ellas | hablen | coman | vivan |
| Ustedes | hablen | coman | vivan |
Core irregular present subjunctives
| Subject | ser | ir | estar | haber | dar | saber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | sea | vaya | esté | haya | dé | sepa |
| Tú | seas | vayas | estés | hayas | des | sepas |
| Él/Ella | sea | vaya | esté | haya | dé | sepa |
| Usted | sea | vaya | esté | haya | dé | sepa |
| Nosotros/as | seamos | vayamos | estemos | hayamos | demos | sepamos |
| Vosotros/as | seáis | vayáis | estéis | hayáis | deis | sepáis |
| Ellos/Ellas | sean | vayan | estén | hayan | den | sepan |
| Ustedes | sean | vayan | estén | hayan | den | sepan |
Frequent yo-stem and spelling changes
| Infinitive | Yo present | Subjunctive stem | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| tener | tengo | teng- | que tengas |
| venir | vengo | veng- | que venga |
| hacer | hago | hag- | que hagamos |
| decir | digo | dig- | que digáis |
| poner | pongo | pong- | que pongan |
| salir | salgo | salg- | que salga |
| buscar | busco | busqu- | que busques |
| llegar | llego | llegu- | que lleguemos |
Subject choice: infinitive or que + subjunctive
| Relationship | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| same subject | trigger + infinitive | Quiero viajar. (I want to travel.) |
| different subjects | trigger + que + subjunctive | Quiero que viajes. (I want you to travel.) |
| general evaluation | es + adjective + infinitive | Es importante descansar. |
| evaluation of a stated subject | es + adjective + que + subjunctive | Es importante que descanses. |
| ojalá | ojalá (+ que) + subjunctive | Ojalá haga sol. |
| belief stated as certain | creo que + indicative | Creo que es fácil. |
| belief denied / doubted | no creo que + subjunctive | No creo que sea fácil. |
Common mistakes
- Quiero que vienes conmigo.Quiero que vengas conmigo.Querer que plus a different subject triggers the subjunctive.
- Quiero que viajar.Quiero viajar.When the subject stays the same, use the infinitive without que.
- Ojalá (que) hace sol.Ojalá (que) haga sol.Ojalá takes the subjunctive whether or not optional que is present.
- No creo que es caro.No creo que sea caro.No creer que expresses doubt and normally takes the subjunctive.
Practice
Espero que ___ bien.
I want you to speak = Quiero que ___ (hablar, tú).
Ojalá ___ sol mañana.
It's important that you eat = Es importante que ___ (comer, tú).
Quiero que tú ___ conmigo.
We hope she has time = Esperamos que ___ tiempo. (tener)
Choose the same-subject form for ‘I want to leave.’
It is necessary that we study = Es necesario que ___.