Subjunctive Mood:

In English, we do not use the subjunctive much. In Spanish, it is everywhere. Most sentences have two parts. You have a main clause and a dependent clause. These two parts are joined by the word que. This word acts like a grammar bridge. For the subjunctive to appear, you usually need two different people. I want something. You do the action. If I want to eat, I use the normal form. If I want you to eat, we use the subjunctive. It is like a relay race. I pass the baton to you across the que bridge. Without that second person, the subjunctive usually stays home.

1. 1Learning the forms is like a magic trick. You take the yo form of the present tense. You drop the -o at the end. Then, you add the opposite vowel endings. It is a total swap! Follow these three steps:
2. 2Start with the yo form (e.g., como, hablo, vivo).
3. 3Remove the -o ending.
4. 4Add the new "opposite" endings.
5. 5For -ar verbs, use -er style endings:
6. 6-e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
7. 7For -er and -ir verbs, use -ar style endings:
8. 8-a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
9. 9Yes, it feels like the world is upside down. If you want to say hables, you use an e. If you want to say comas, you use an a. It is a simple switcheroo!

You use the subjunctive for the "WEIRDO" categories. This stands for Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt, and Ojalá.

• Wishes: Quiero que vengas (I want you to come).
• Emotions: Me alegra que estés aquí (I am happy you are here).
• Recommendations: Sugiero que estudies (I suggest that you study).

Imagine you are at a restaurant. You want the waiter to bring water. You say: Quiero que traiga agua. You are not stating a fact. You are expressing a desire. Or imagine a job interview. You might say: Espero que me llamen (I hope they call me). It is all about what might happen, not what is happening right now. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. The indicative is green (facts). The subjunctive is yellow (possibilities).

Do not use the subjunctive for facts. If you are 100% sure, stay with the indicative. If there is only one person involved, do not use it.

• Quiero comer (I want to eat) = No subjunctive.
• Quiero que comas (I want you to eat) = Subjunctive.

Also, avoid it with verbs of certainty. Creo que... (I believe that...) uses the indicative. Es verdad que... (It is true that...) also uses the indicative. You only switch to the "maybe" mood when doubt enters the room. If you are reporting a plain fact, keep it simple. The subjunctive hates boring, certain facts. It prefers drama and mystery.

Many people forget the yo form step. They try to change the infinitive directly. This leads to errors with irregulars. Always start with yo. For example, tener becomes tengo. The subjunctive root is teng-. Another mistake is forgetting the que. Without the bridge, the sentence falls apart.

Sometimes you might use the subjunctive when you shouldn't. Remember the "Two Subject" rule. If you are the only one acting, use the infinitive. Espero ir is correct. Espero que yo vaya sounds very weird. It is like talking to yourself in the mirror. Also, watch out for creer. In the positive, it takes indicative. Only in the negative (No creo que...) does it trigger the subjunctive.

Let's compare the two moods.

• Indicative: Sé que vienes (I know you are coming). This is a fact.
• Subjunctive: Quiero que vengas (I want you to come). This is a wish.

See the difference? One is a reality. The other is a hope.

• Indicative: Busco al hombre que habla inglés (I am looking for the man who speaks English). I know he exists.
• Subjunctive: Busco a un hombre que hable inglés (I am looking for a man who speaks English). I am not sure I will find one.

It is all about your perspective. Are you talking about the real world? Use indicative. Are you talking about a hypothetical world? Use subjunctive.