Subjuntivo

The forms of the subjunctive are derived in the same manner as those used for formal commands. Take the stem of the yo form, and add the opposite vowel.

• hablar → hablo → habl- → + e = hable

• beber → bebo → beb- → + a = beba

• decir → digo → dig- → + a = diga

Some irregular verbs in the subjunctive include the following.

• haber: haya, hayas, haya, hayamos, hayáis, hayan

• ir: vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayan

• saber: sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan

• ser: sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean

Some forms of the verbs dar and estar have accent marks.

• dar: dé, des, dé, demos, den

• estar: esté, estés, esté, estemos, estén

Stem-changing -ir verbs like dormir (ue, u), servir (i, i), and preferir (ie, i) have an altered stem in the nosotros and vosotros forms.

• dormir: duerma, duermas, duerma, durmamos, duerman

• servir: sirva, sirvas, sirva, sirvamos, sirvan

• preferir: prefiera, prefieras, prefiera, prefiramos, prefieran

In addition to being used with expressions of wishing and hoping, the subjunctive is also used with conjunctions of contingency

• a menos que → unless

• antes (de) que → before

• con tal (de) que → provided (that)

• en caso de que → in case

• para que → so (that)

• sin que → without

If there is no change in subject in the dependent clause, antes de que and para que shorten to antes de and para and are followed by an infinitive instead of the subjunctive. Compare the sentences below.

• Voy a preparar café antes de que vengan los invitados.

  • I’m going to make coffee before the guests come.

• Voy a preparar café antes de estudiar.

  • I’m going to make coffee before studying.

• Lo escribo para que entiendas mejor.

  • I’ll write it down so (that) you understand better.

• Lo escribo para recordarlo más tarde.

  • I’ll write it down to remember it later.