How to Conjugate the Subjunctive in Spanish

It is impossible to speak the Spanish language without using the subjunctive. The Spanish subjunctive remains the bane of many students' existence as well as that of some native speakers. Follow the steps below to conjugate the Spanish subjunctive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Memorize the endings. For verbs that end in -ar, the present-tense subjunctive endings are as follows: -e (yo), -es (tu), -e (el, ella, usted), -emos (nosotros), -eís (vosotros), -en (ellos, ellas, ustedes).

2. For regular -er and -ir verbs, the present tense subjunctive endings are as follows: a (yo), -es (tu), -e (el, ella, usted), -amos (nosotros), -aís (vosotros), -an (ellos, ellas, ustedes).

3. Memorize the spelling changes of -er verbs. The usual subjunctive endings apply, but the root portion of the verb changes for -er verbs that end in -cer (such as conocer, crecer). These verbs are conjugated according to their present-tense "yo" form, for example, reconozco--present-tense subjunctive: reconozca.

4. Memorize the spelling change for -ar verbs. -Ar verbs that end in -gar change to -gu (plus ending) in the subjunctive. For example: jugar, juegue.

5. For most irregular verbs, the subjunctive will follow the spelling change of the "yo" form in the present tense. For example, decir—present tense: yo digo; subjunctive: diga. Tener—present tense: yo tengo; subjunctive: tenga. Ver—present tense: veo; subjunctive: vea.

6. Use the subjunctive for negative commands. Affirmative command: "Habla." Negative command/subjunctive: "No hables."

7. Use the subjunctive to express wish, surprise, doubt, necessity. Wish: "Quiero que vengas manana" (I want you to come tomorrow). Surprise: "Me sorprendo de que me trates asi" (I’m surprised you're treating me this way). Doubt: "No creo que tenga buenas notas este semestre" (I don’t think he/she has good grades this semester). Necessity: "Necesito que me des la dirección de Chema" (I need you to give me Chema’s address).