When do I use the present subjunctive in Spanish?
"The subjunctive" tends to create a sense of dread amongst language students, however with practice it begins to feel natural!· Firstly, the structure that is always followed by the present subjunctive is "para que". This is used when an action has an effect on another person/thing. E.g. "Yo apago la tele a las 10 para que mi hermana pueda dormir".· Secondly, we use the present subjunctive when we want someone else to do something. E.g. "Yo quiero que mi hermana apague la luz." E.g. "Espero que haga buen tiempo."· Another time we use the present subjunctive is when we are expressing a negative opinion. For example, if I want to say "I don't think it's a good idea", in Spanish we use the present subjunctive in the verb "to be". E.g. "No creo que sea buena idea."· The same rule applies to saying we don't like that someone has done something / that a particular event has occurred. E.g. "No me gusta que mi amiga se case con ese hombre." "A mi madre, no le gusta que volvamos tarde."· Sometimes, Spanish speakers use the present subjunctive to specify they are speaking about someone / something in specific. This becomes a lot easier with practice! E.g. “Busco alguien que hable inglés”. “I’m looking for someone who speaks English”. E.g. “El niño que esté callado puede salir al patio.” “The child that is quiet can go out to the playground.”· Lastly, we have to remember to use the present subjunctive when making a statement such as, "The most important thing is that..." "It's a shame that...". For example, we say, "Lo más importante es que tengamos nuestra salud." "Es una pena que Atlético no pueda llegar al final." In both of these cases, the subjunctive 'trigger' is the statement followed by "is that"/"es que..." and so upon seeing this, we know we have to use the subjunctive again!Hopefully this has explained when to use the present subjunctive in Spanish. We can, of course, do various examples based on each "trigger" on the whiteboard!
