Spanish Subjunctive
Understanding when and how to use the subjunctive mood
What is the Subjunctive?
The subjunctive is a verb mood (not a tense) used to express subjective actions or states: wishes, emotions, doubts, possibilities, and hypothetical situations.
INDICATIVE
Use for facts and certainty:
- • Facts
- • Certainty
- • Objectivity
- • Reality
- • Statements of truth
Sé que ella viene.
I know she is coming. (fact)
SUBJUNCTIVE
Use for subjectivity and uncertainty:
- • Wishes & desires
- • Emotions
- • Doubts
- • Possibilities
- • Hypotheticals
Espero que ella venga.
I hope she comes. (wish)
The WEIRDO Rule
Use this acronym to remember when to use the subjunctive:
W - Wishes & Wants
Querer que, esperar que, desear que
Example: Quiero que tú estudies.
E - Emotions
Me alegro que, temo que, es triste que
Example: Me alegro que estés aquí.
I - Impersonal Expressions
Es necesario que, es importante que, es posible que
Example: Es importante que nosotros lleguemos a tiempo.
R - Requests & Recommendations
Pedir que, recomendar que, sugerir que
Example: Te recomiendo que vayas al médico.
D - Doubt & Denial
Dudar que, negar que, no creer que
Example: Dudo que él venga.
O - Ojalá (I hope/wish)
Ojalá que (always triggers subjunctive)
Example: Ojalá que llueva mañana.
Common Trigger Phrases
Subjunctive Triggers
- •Espero que... (I hope that...)
- •Dudo que... (I doubt that...)
- •Es posible que... (It's possible that...)
- •Quiero que... (I want that...)
- •Me alegro que... (I'm happy that...)
- •No creo que... (I don't think that...)
Indicative Triggers
- •Sé que... (I know that...)
- •Creo que... (I think that...)
- •Es cierto que... (It's certain that...)
- •Es verdad que... (It's true that...)
- •Es obvio que... (It's obvious that...)
- •Estoy seguro que... (I'm sure that...)
Correct vs Incorrect Examples
Correct: Es importante que tú estudies.
Impersonal expression triggers subjunctive.
Incorrect: Es importante que tú estudias.
Correct: Sé que ella viene mañana.
Certainty expressions use indicative.
Incorrect: Sé que ella venga mañana.
Memory Tricks & Mnemonics
💡 The "QUE" Clue
Most subjunctive triggers include "que" before the subjunctive verb. If you see a WEIRDO phrase + "que," you probably need subjunctive!
💡 Quick Tip
The subjunctive is one of the trickiest parts of Spanish grammar! For more practice and detailed explanations, explore PresentForge — AI-Powered Presentation Generator. Remember WEIRDO to master the subjunctive!
Practice Quiz
Choose the correct verb form (indicative or subjunctive):
1. Espero que tú ___ bien.
2. Es importante que nosotros ___ a tiempo.
3. Sé que ella ___ en Madrid.
4. Quiero que tú ___ conmigo.
5. Dudo que él ___ la verdad.