Daddy Learns Spanish

Present Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Presente)

Used for wishes, doubts, emotions, and hypotheticals — the mood of uncertainty.

When to use

  • Wishes/desires: Quiero que estudies más (I want you to study more).
  • Doubt/uncertainty: No creo que venga (I don't think he'll come).
  • Emotions: Me alegra que estés aquí (I'm glad you're here).

Regular conjugation patterns

-are.g. hablar (habl-)
yo-e
tú-es
él/ella-e
nosotros-emos
vosotros-éis
ellos/ellas-en
-er/-ire.g. comer (com-)
yo-a
tú-as
él/ella-a
nosotros-amos
vosotros-áis
ellos/ellas-an

Key irregular verbs

ser → seaestar → estéir → vayasaber → sepahaberdar → dé

Verb patterns in this tense

e → ie stem change

The 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' in all forms except nosotros/vosotros in present and subjunctive present.

pensarquererentenderperdersentirempezarcomenzar
o → ue stem change

The 'o' in the stem changes to 'ue' in all forms except nosotros/vosotros in present and subjunctive present.

podervolverencontrarcontarrecordarmostrardormirmovermorir
e → i stem change

The 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' in present tense (all forms except nosotros/vosotros) and throughout preterite 3rd person.

seguirpedirservirconseguirconvertir
yo-go verbs

These verbs add -go in the yo form of the present tense. This also affects the subjunctive present (based on yo form).

tenervenirponersalirhacerdecircaertraeroír
-car/-gar/-zar spelling changes

Verbs ending in -car change c→qu, -gar change g→gu, and -zar change z→c before 'e' (preterite yo, subjunctive present).

buscarsacartocarexplicarllegarpagarjugarempezarcomenzaralcanzarrealizar

Tips

  • The subjunctive is based on the yo form of the present indicative — so yo-go verbs carry the 'g' throughout: tenga, venga, ponga.
  • Think of it as 'opposite endings': -ar verbs get -er/-ir endings, and vice versa.
  • Look for WEIRDO triggers: Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt, Ojalá.