To express hypotheses, desires, evaluations, tastes… in Spanish we use the subjunctive mood. It is very easy!

What are the main uses of the subjunctive? The subjunctive is a verbal mood that most languages do not have, but Spanish does. That’s why, for many students of Spanish, it’s a big problem, even a big headache. But it is not that complicated. It is used, mainly, to express hypothetical ideas, to talk about desires, when we use subordinate sentences…

If you want a brief and simple guide to learn how to use the subjunctive correctly, you’re in the right place. In this article we will explain the different uses of the subjunctive, so you won’t have any doubts.

1. The subordinate goes in the infinitive when it refers to the same subject as the main clause.

Example: Deseo ir a la fiesta.

The subordinate goes in the subjunctive when it refers to a different subject.

Example: Deseo que tú vayas a la fiesta.

– Express likes and dislikes

Example:

– Infinitive: Me gusta cantar (same subject).

– Subjunctive: Me gusta que cantes (different subject).

– Express wishes

Example:

– Infinitive: Quiero cantar (same subject).

– Subjunctive: Quiero que cantes (different subject).

– Express needs, requests or mandates

Example:

– Infinitive: Necesito cantar (same subject).

– Subjunctive: Necesito que cantes (different subject).

– Express a purpose

Example:

– Infinitive: Canto para divertirme (same subject).

– Subjunctive: Canto para que te diviertas (different subject).

2. Express opinion

– The subordinate goes in the subjunctive when the opinion is negative.

Example: No creo que María vaya a la fiesta.

– The subordinate goes in indicative when the opinion is positive.

Example: Creo que María va a la fiesta.

3. Make assessments, advice and recommendations

– The sentence is in the subjunctive when the assessment or advice has a specific addressee.

Example: Es bueno que bebas agua.

– The sentence is in the infinitive when the assessment or advice is general (it has no specific addressee).

Example: Es bueno beber agua.

4. Express future action with respect to another

– The subordinate clause is in the subjunctive when it refers to a future action with respect to another.

Example: Se lo diré cuando me llame.

5. Express hypothesis and probability with the connectors: maybe(s), perhaps, possibly, probably, surely…

– With the subjunctive, a lower degree of probability is expressed.

Example: Tal vez mis primos vengan en avión.

– Indicative expresses a higher degree of probability.

Example: Tal vez mis primos vienen en avión.

6. Express hypothesis or probability with the connectors: it is possible / probable / can (be)… + que

– Always with subjunctive.

Example: Es posible que mis primos vengan en avión.

7. Express hypothesis or probability with the connectors: maybe, the same, the same…

– Always with indicative.

Example: A lo mejor mis primos vienen en avión.

You have already seen the great usefulness of the subjunctive. If your question is whether we really use the subjunctive in Spanish, the answer is a big yes. We use it every day in every conversation and in all our writing. If you communicate only with the indicative you may confuse the person you are talking to.

A clear example:

Imagine that a child has asked his father for a ball and a doll for his birthday.

The father responds in indicative: Te regalaré todo lo que me pides.

The father responds in the subjunctive: Te regalaré todo lo que me pidas.

With an indicative, the father refers to the ball and the doll, which is what the child has asked for.

With the subjunctive, the father refers to everything that the child continues to ask for in the future. If he asks for more things later, the father will also give them to him.

It makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

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