Subjunctive Mood

To use the subjunctive, you usually need a specific setup. Think of it like a grammar sandwich. You need three main ingredients. First, you need a "trigger" verb. This is a verb like querer (to want) or esperar (to hope). Second, you need the word que (that). This is the glue that holds the sentence together. Third, you need a subject change. This is the most important part! If I want to do something myself, I don't use the subjunctive. I just use the infinitive. For example: Quiero comer (I want to eat). But if I want YOU to do something, the mood changes. Quiero que tú comas (I want you to eat). See that? The ending changed! You are now entering the world of possibilities and desires. It is like a grammar traffic light. The green light is the fact. The yellow light is the subjunctive. It says, "Wait, something emotional or uncertain is happening here!"

1. 1Creating the subjunctive is actually quite logical. It is often called the "opposite endings" rule. Here is how you build it in three easy steps:
2. 2Start with the yo form of the present tense. For hablar, it is hablo. For comer, it is como.
3. 3Drop the -o at the end. Now you have the stem: habl- or com-.
4. 4Add the "opposite" endings.
5. 5For -AR verbs, use -ER style endings:
6. 6e (yo)
7. 7es (tú)
8. 8e (él/ella)
9. 9emos (nosotros)
10. 10éis (vosotros)
11. 11en (ellos/ellas)
12. 12For -ER and -IR verbs, use -AR style endings:
13. 13a (yo)
14. 14as (tú)
15. 15a (él/ella)
16. 16amos (nosotros)
17. 17áis (vosotros)
18. 18an (ellos/ellas)
19. 19Think of it as a costume party. The -AR verbs are dressing up as -ER verbs. The -ER verbs are dressing up as -AR verbs. It is a bit of a swap! This works for most verbs, even irregular ones like tener (tengo -> tenga). Just remember: if the yo form is weird, the subjunctive will be weird too.

At the A1 level, you only need to know a few big categories. We use the acronym W.E.I.R.D.O. to remember them, but let's focus on the easiest ones for now.

• Wishes and Desires: When you want someone to do something. Espero que tengas un buen día (I hope you have a good day).
• Emotions: When you say how you feel about an action. Me gusta que estudies (I like that you study).
• Impersonal Expressions: These are "It is..." phrases. Es bueno que hables español (It is good that you speak Spanish).
• Recommendations: When giving advice. Te sugiero que comas más (I suggest that you eat more).

You will use this when ordering food if you want the chef to do something specific. You will use it when asking for directions if you are unsure if the place exists. You will definitely use it in job interviews to show your hopes for the future. It makes your Spanish sound much more polite and natural. Without it, you sound a bit like a robot stating facts. With it, you sound like a human with feelings!

This is just as important as knowing when to use it! If you are just stating a fact, stay in the indicative.

• Facts and Certainty: Sé que hablas español (I know you speak Spanish). There is no doubt here.
• No Subject Change: Quiero hablar (I want to speak). Since I am the one wanting AND the one speaking, we don't need the subjunctive.
• Beliefs (usually): Creo que él viene (I believe he is coming). In Spanish, believing something is treated like a fact in your mind.

If you find yourself saying "I think that..." or "It is true that...", you are usually safe with the regular present tense. The subjunctive is for the "maybe" and the "I wish." It's like the difference between saying "The sun is shining" and "I hope the sun shines tomorrow."

Don't worry, everyone makes these! The most common mistake is forgetting the subject change. If you say Quiero que yo coma, it sounds very strange. Just say Quiero comer.

Another big one is using the wrong vowel. You might want to say hable for yo but accidentally say habla. Just remember the swap! -AR goes to e, -ER/IR goes to a.

Also, many people forget the que. In English, we can say "I want you to go." We skip the "that." In Spanish, you must have the que. You cannot say Quiero tú vayas. It must be Quiero que tú vayas. It is the bridge! If the bridge is missing, the sentence falls into the river.

Finally, watch out for ser and ir. They are rebels. They don't follow the yo form rule. Ser becomes sea and ir becomes vaya. Learn these two first, and you will be ahead of 90% of other students.

Let's look at the difference clearly.

Indicative (Factual):

Tú vas a la fiesta. (You are going to the party. I see you there!)

Subjunctive (Wish/Possibility):

Espero que vayas a la fiesta. (I hope you go to the party. Maybe you will, maybe you won't!)

Indicative (Opinion as Fact):

Pienso que es fácil. (I think it is easy. To me, this is a reality.)

Subjunctive (Uncertainty/Emotion):

No creo que sea fácil. (I don't think it is easy. The negation creates doubt, which triggers the mood change.)

See how the second sentences feel more "cloudy"? They aren't solid ground. They are thoughts, hopes, or reactions. That is the magic of the subjunctive. It allows you to talk about things that don't exist yet.