Learning when to use the subjunctive mood can be particularly challenging
for English-speakers learning Spanish. That's probably because the subjunctive
mood is distinguished from the indicative mood so infrequently in English.
Subjunctive? Indicative? Mood? What in the world do those mean?
OK. Let's start with the basics. (If you already know these basics of
grammar, skip ahead to the explanation of when the
subjunctive is used.) First of all, the mood (sometimes called the
mode) of the verb expresses either the speaker's attitude toward the verb
or describes how it is used in the sentence. This can better better be
described by examples of the six moods in both English and Spanish.
Mood
Description
Examples
infinitive (infinitivo)
The name of a verb. It can be used as the subject or object of a sentence.
In English it takes the form of "to + verb." In Spanish, infinitives end
in -ar, -er, or -ir.
I want to go. Quiero ir.
gerund (gerundio)
The gerund is used with the auxiliary "to be" (estar), and it
can also be used as a noun (far more frequently in English than in Spanish).
He is speaking. Él está hablando.
participle (participio)
The participle is used with the auxiliary "to have" (haber)
to form various tenses. In both languages, the participles frequently are
used as adjectives.
I have fallen. Me he caído.
imperative (imperativo)
Commands or suggestions.
Click here.Haz clic aquí.
indicative (indicativo)
Indicates action, process, or identity as taking place in reality.
See examples below.
subjunctive (subjuntivo)
Indicates action, process, or identity as dependent on the speaker's
reaction to it.
See examples below.
That may seem as clear as Mexico City on a smoggy day. Another way of
expressing the concept is that the indicative expresses reality or what
is believed to be reality. But the subjunctive is used for different purposes:
It expresses facts that are contrary to reality. It expresses doubt
that something is or will be a fact. It expresses how a person feels
about a possible action or state of being. It expresses a wish,
intent
or command for a possible action or state of being. It is usually
used in subordinate clauses that begin with que or si, although
in some sentences (such as simple sentences expressing doubt), a subjunctive
verb can be the main verb in the sentence.
How the subjective is used can best be seen through
examples of various uses:
Example
Reason
Quiero que no tengas frío. I want you to be not
cold.
It's irrelevant whether the person is cold or not. The sentence expresses
a wish, not reality.
Siento que tengas frío. I'm sorry you're cold.
The sentence expresses the speaker's emotions about a perceived
reality. What is important in this sentence is the speaker's feelings,
not whether the other person is cold.
Te doy mi chaqueta para que no tengas frío. I'm
giving you my coat so you won't be cold.
The sentence expresses the speaker's intent, not necessarily
reality.
Se permite que lleven chaquetas allí. People are
allowed to wear jackets there.
The phrase expresses permission for an action to take place.
Di a ella que lleve una chaqueta. Tell her to wear her
jacket.
Expresses a command or wish of the speaker.
No hay nadie que tenga frío. Nobody is cold.
Expression of negation of the action in a subordinate clause.
Tal vez tenga frío. Perhaps he is cold.
Expression of doubt.
Si yo fuera un rico, tocaría el violín. If
I were a rich man, I would play the fiddle.
Expression of a statement contrary to fact.
Here are some examples of sentences showing differences between the
indicative and subjunctive.
Indicative
Subjunctive
Explanation
Es cierto que sale tarde. It is definitely leaving late
Es imposible que salga tarde. Es probable que salga
tarde. It is impossible that it is leaving late. It is likely that
it will leave late.
The indicative is used to express perceived reality, while the subjunctive
is used to express doubt, negation or mere probability.
Busco el carro barato que funciona. I'm looking for the
cheap car that works.
Busco un carro barato que funcione. I'm looking for a
cheap car that works.
In the first example, the speaker knows that there is a car that matches
the description, so the indicative is used as an expression of reality.
In the second example, there is doubt that such a car exists, so the subjunctive
is used.
Creo que es ella. I believe it is she.
No creo que sea ella. I don't believe it's she.
The subjunctive is used in the second example because the subordinate
clause is negated by the main clause. Generally, the indicative is used
with creer que or pensar que, while the subjunctive is used
with no creer que or no pensar que. (The Spanish verb pensar
has more of a feeling of definitiveness than does the English equivalent,
"to think."
Es obvio que tienes dinero. It is obvious you have money.
Es bueno que tengas dinero. It is good you have money.
The indicative is used in the first example because it expresses reality
(or apparent reality). The subjunctive is used in the other example because
the sentence is a reaction to the statement in the subordinte clause.
Habla bien porque es un experto. He speaks well because
he's an expert.
Habla como si fuera un experto. He speaks as if he were
an expert.
The subjunctive is used in the second example because it's irrelevant
to the sentence whether he's an expert.
Quizás lo pueden hacer. Perhaps they can do it
(and I'm sure of it).
Quizás lo puedan hacer. Perhaps they can do it
(but I doubt it).
In a sentence such as this, the subjunctive is used to emphasize uncertainty
or doubt, the indicative to emphasize certainly.
Hay políticos que tienen coraje. There are politicians
who have courage.
¿Hay políticos que tengan coraje? Are there
politicians with courage?
The subjunctive is used in the second example to express doubt.
Llegaré aunque mi carro no funciona. I will arrive
even though my car isn't running.
Llegaré aunque mi carro no funcione. I will arrive
even if my car isn't running.
The indicative is used in the first sentence because the speaker knows
his car isn't working. In the second sentence, the speaker doesn't know
whether it is running, so the subjunctive is used.
A final note: The subjunctive used to be used in English more
than it is today, and today it is used more frequently in formal speech
than in everyday use. Cases where it is still in English used might help
you remember some of the instances where it is used in Spanish.
Contrary-to-fact condition: If I were the president, I'd
keep us out of war.
Expression of a desire: I would like it if he were my father.
Expressions of request or advice: I insist that he go. We
recommended that he fill out the form.
But remember that there are numerous instances where the subjunctive is
used in Spanish where we make no distinction in English.
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