El subjuntivo (The subjunctive) I. Overview The subjunctive is a mood (un modo), in other words it is a way to classify verbs. In Spanish, there are two basic verb categories: the indicative and the subjunctive. Each mood contains several tenses. Tense simply refers to time frame. Up until now you have almost exclusively relied on the indicative mood (modo indicativo). The indicative indicates. It indicates facts, state of being in the real world. It tells what is, not what might be. It is also used to ask basic questions. In contrast, the subjunctive mood (modo subjuntivo) is generally used to express a subjective view from the point of view of the speaker. It helps to express what might be, or what might be dependent upon another person/subject. It can also be used to negate an action or state. Because sentences within the subjunctive mode are subjective, or subject to something else, the subjunctive is frequently used in a dependent clause. A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and at least one conjugated verb. Most (but not all) Spanish sentences that include the subjunctive are set up like this: indicative que subjunctive Main clause (main subject and verb Dependant clause (second subject and verb) There are many kinds of clauses in which the subjunctive can be used. Here is brief overview: Clausulas nominales (noun clauses) Clausulas adjetivas Clausulas adverbiales It is also possible to use the subjunctive in certain if statements (si and como si) 1
II. Sequence/ Agreement of tenses: Each time you determine that the subjunctive is needed, you must then decide which tense of the subjunctive fits the situation. To decide, keep in mind the charts below: If you need the subjunctive, and the verb in the main clause is in the: Present indicative Present present perfect Future Future perfect command Then choose: a present subjunctive Present subjunctive Present perfect subjunctive However, if the sentence needs the subjunctive, and the verb in the main clause is in: Preterite Imperfect Pluperfect Conditional Conditional perfect Then you MUST use a past subjunctive Imperfect subjunctive Pluperfect subjunctive Note that this agreement of tenses chart applies to the subjunctive in noun, adjective and adverbial clauses. On the following pages, we will break down each type of clause and examine how the subjunctive can be used within each type. 2
III. The subjunctive in noun clauses When talking about the subjunctive, noun clauses refer to dependent clauses (after the que) that act like the direct object of a sentence, just like a noun can do. Example: I want the book. Yo quiero el libro I = subject want=verb book=direct object I want you to buy me the book. Yo quiero que me compres el libro. I=subject, want =verb, you to buy the book= activity acting like a direct object (in other words, a verb acting like a noun) RULE: The Spanish subjunctive is used in a dependent noun clause when : 1. The subject of the dependent clause is different from the subject in the main clause, AND 2. The verb in the main clause expresses: influence, doubt, emotion, negation, impersonal expressions. The acronym WIERDO may help you remember the situations where the subjunctive is used with dependent noun clauses. (Note, there is a lot of overlap between the categories so verbs may fit in more than one place) W E I R D O wishing/ willing : querer, insistir, preferir, desear, esperar, mandar, permitir*, prohibir, requerir, dejar, querer, emotion: estar contento/triste, sentir, gustar, alegrase, sorprender, disgustar, temer, tener miedo de, encantar, molestar impersonal expressions: see list on next page requests : aconsejar, pedir, recomendar, mandar, exigir, sugerir doubt/ denial*: dudar, es dudoso, no estar seguro, no creer, no pensar, no es cierto, negar (ie) obligation/ ojalá: Ojalá literally means God willing and originated with the Moors who prayed to Allah. Now it is always followed by que and the subjunctive. Obligation verbs: necesitar, mandar, insistir, decir, etc.. 3
Common Impersonal Expressions used to express opinions I. Es bueno que lo hagan. It's good for them to do it (or: that they do it). Es malo It's bad Es mejor It's better Es peor It's worse Es horrible It's horrible Es horrendo It's horrendous Es estupendo It's stupendous Es maravilloso It's marvelous Es posible It's possible Es imposible It's impossible Es probable It's probable Es improbable It's improbable Es increíble It's incredible Es necesario It's necessary Es preciso It's necessary Es urgente It's urgent Es importante It's important Es interesante It's interesting Es notable It's notable Es raro It's unusual/strange Es extraño It's strange Es estúpido It's stupid Es ridículo It's ridiculous Es curioso It's curious Es dudoso It's doubtful Es difícil It's unlikely Es fácil It's likely No es seguro It's uncertain No es cierto It's uncertain No es verdad It's untrue Note that any impersonal expression that expresses certainty is not used with the subjunctive. 4
Special Notes 1. Certain verbs of influence may be used either with the subjunctive or an infinitive, even when there's a change of subject. The infinitive is more frequent when the subject of the dependent verb is a pronoun (rather than a noun or noun phrase). Such verbs include hacer (to make [someone do something]), permitir (to permit), and dejar (to let, all 2. ow): Infinitive Nadie me hace pensar. Nobody makes me think. Déjame trabajar en paz. Let me work in peace. Ellas no nos permiten bailar. They don't permit us to dance. Subjunctive Nadie hace que los trabajadores piensen en el No one makes the workers think about the porvenir. future. Deja que las secretarias trabajen en paz. Let the secretaries work in peace. Ellas no permiten que los otros estudiantes They don't permit the other students to bailen. dance. 3. Also, certain verbs of influence can also act as verbs of reporting. Therefore, verbs like escribir and decir will only take the subjunctive when in a situation of will/influence. Example: Mis padres me dicen que estudie mucho. Mis padres me dicen que mi primo viene mañana. 4. Using the sujunctive in questions with verbs of doubt can be tricky. What are the differences between these two questions: a. Crees que ellos vendrán? b. Crees que ellos vengan? 5
IV. The subjunctive in adjective clauses Adjectives are words that modify a noun, describing or limiting it.. An entire clause may serve an adjectival purpose, describing a noun or pronoun the antecedent in a sentence, for example: 1. Do you have a dress which will go with these shoes? 2. Yes, I have a dress which will be perfect. 3. I don't see any dress (that) I like. Each bold-faced adjectival clause refers back to the word dress (the antecedent) but each does so in a different way. In sentence #1 the antecedent is indefinite, in #2 it is definite, and in #3 it is negated.. The rule: In Spanish, the subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when the antecedent is indefinite or unknown or is nonexistent or negated; in contrast, the indicative is used when the antecedent is a definite or existing one. Illustration: Main clause Predicate Antecedent Adjectival clause Mood of the verb ladrar (to bark) Dependent clause Reason for the use of the subjunctive or the indicative Tengo un perro que ladra mucho. Indicative There is a definite antecedent, a dog which I own. No tengo un perro que ladre mucho. Subjunctive The antecedent is negated; such a dog doesn't exist. Quiero un perro que ladre mucho. Subjunctive There is an indefinite antecedent; such a dog may or not exist. (I have/don't have/want a dog that barks a lot.) More examples of the three types of situations: 1. The indicative is used in an adjectival clause when there is a definite antecedent: Hay algo aquí que me gusta. There is something here which I like. 6
Conoces al profesor que vive allí? Leo un libro que explica todo eso. Do you know the professor who lives there? I'm reading a book which explains all that. Tienen una criada que habla español. They have a maid who speaks Spanish. 2. The subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when antecedent is negated: No hay nada aquí que me guste. No veo *a nadie que conozca. No recomendamos ningún libro que él haya escrito. There is nothing here I like. I don't see anyone I know. We don't recommend any book he has written. 3. The subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when there is an indefinite antecedent: Hay algo aquí que te guste? Quiero leer un libro que explique todo eso. Conoces *a alguien que viva cerca de aquí? Buscamos una criada que hable español. Is there anything here you like? I want to read a book which explains all that. Do you know anyone who lives nearby? We're looking a maid who speak Spanish. [We hope we can find one!] *Note the use of the personal a before the pronouns alguien and nadie when used as direct 7
V. The subjunctive in adverbial clauses Adverbs indicate why, where, when and how. Typical adverbs in English are words like son, here, and quickly. Adverbial phrases are groups of words used in the same way, such as on Sunday or with compassion. Also, an entire clause may have an adverbial function: John is working so that she will notice him. (why) John works after school is finished for the year. (when) John Works as quickly as he can. (how) Adverbial clauses are introduced by conjuctions. Sometimes these conjunctions require the subjunctive and at other times the indicative is used. A. The indicative is (generally) used if there is no change of subject. Instead, an adverbial phrase and a preposition + infinitive is used. 1. He is saving his Money so that he can buy a car. a) El ahorra su dinero para poder comprar un coche. 2. My parents are saving money so that I can buy a car. a) Mis padres ahorran dinero para que yo pueda comprar un coche. B. The subjunctive is ALWAYS used after certain prepositions (and change of subject). These prepositions can be remembered with the acronym ESCAPA: En caso de que- in case (of) Sin que- unless, without Con tal de que- provided that, as long as A menos que- unless Para que- so that (synonyms are de modo que and de manera que)** A fin de que- in order that, so that 8
Examples: No voy a menos que venga ella. I'm not going unless she comes. Salgo a la una con tal que se termine todo. I leave at 1:00 provided everything is done. Trabaja mucho para que vivan bien. No hago nada sin que lo sepan. She works hard so they (can) live well. I don't do anything without their knowing it. C. Adverbial conjunctions of time: The following adverbial conjunctions deal with time, and are followed by the subjunctive when they introduce an anticipated situation. If they introduce one which is viewed as completed or habitual, they are followed by the indicative. cuandodespués de queen cuantotan pronto comomientrassiempre que- when after as soon as as soon as while whenever Examples: Por lo general lo hago cuando nos levantamos. I usually do it when we get up. [Indicative] Lo haré cuando nos levantemos. I'll do it when we get up. [Subjunctive] Siempre me lavo los dientes después que comemos. Me lavaré los dientes después de que comamos. I always brush my teeth after we eat. I'll brush my teeth after we eat. [Indicative] [Subjunctive] 9
Los alumnos lo repiten hasta que el profesor está satisfecho. Los alumnos lo repetirán hasta que él esté satisfecho. The students repeat it until the professor is satisfied. The students will repeat it until he is satisfied. [Indicative] [Subjunctive] Trabajamos mientras ellos descansan. We work while they rest. [Indicative] Trabajaremos mientras ellos descansen. We will work while they rest. [Subjunctive] D. Other adverbial conjunctions: 1. Aunque (although, even though, even if). The indicative is used if a fact is involved or the outcome is known; otherwise the subjunctive is used: Lo haré aunque no le gusta. Lo haré aunque no le guste. I ll do it even though she doesn t like it. I ll do it, even though she may not like it. 2. The conjunction of time antes de que (before) is ALWAYS used with the subjunctive, even if the adverbial phrase refers to something that has already happened. Yo lo hago antes de que ellos vuelvan. Yo lo hice antes de que ellos volvieran. 10
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