The present subjunctive

The subjunctive is a mood which is used to express doubt, uncertainty, wishes and emotions.
To form the present subjunctive, take the ‘I’ form of the present tense and replace the -o with the following
endings:
-ar verbs: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en
-er / -ir verbs: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an
Verbs where the ‘I’ form of the present tense does not end in -o have irregular stems for the present subjunctive,
but the endings follow the same pattern as above.
Infinitive Present tense ‘I’ form Present subjunctive ‘I’ form
ser (to be) soy sea
ir (to go) voy vaya
saber (to know) sé sepa
dar (to give) doy dé
estar (to be) estoy esté
Note also: haber (there is / are) haya
The subjunctive is used after:
● querer que (to want)
Quiero que tú vayas. I want you to go.
(BUT if the subject is the same for both verbs, use the infinitive: Quiero ir. I want to go.
● para que (so that / in order that)
Te he traído el libro para que lo leas. I’ve brought you the book so that you can read it.
● some expressions using es + adjective + que, e.g.:
es posible que, es importante que, es necesario que
Es importante que no bebas demasiado. It’s important that you don’t drink too much.
1 Write the present subjunctive form of the verb in brackets.
1 Tú _____________hables____________ (hablar)

2 Él __________fume______________ (fumar)

3 Nosotros _____________bebamos____________ (beber)

4 Ellos ___________vivan______________ (vivir)

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 5 Yo ___________enfrente_____________ (enfrentar)

6 Vosotros __________reduzcais______________ (reducir)

7 Ella _____________coma___________ (comer)

8 Tú __________seas_______________ (ser)

9 Ellas __________aumenten_______________ (aumentar)

10 Nosotras _________participemos________________ (participar)

11 Él ______________reparta__________ (repartir)

12 Vosotras _____sepais____________________ (saber)

2 Match the Spanish sentences (1−10) to the English translations (A−J).

Es necesario que el gobierno reduzca el número It’s possible that the teacher doesn’t know what
1 A
de botellones. G has happened.

2 Quiero que tú bebas menos alcohol. B B I want you to drink less alcohol.

Es importante que no fumes si quieres The head teacher wants Pablo to go and see
3 C
mantenerte en forma. J him as soon as possible.
It’s possible that my grandfather might not arrive
4 He traído la foto para que tus padres la vean. E D
until tomorrow.
Es posible que el profesor no sepa lo que ha I’ve brought the photo so that your parents can
5 E
pasado. A see it.
The government has published the results of the
Es necesario que lleguemos tan pronto como sea
6 F survey so that everyone can see how serious
posible. H
the problem is.
El director quiere que Pablo vaya a verle cuanto It’s necessary that the government reduces the
7 G
antes. C number of street drinking parties.
El gobierno ha publicado los resultados de la
It’s necessary for us to arrive as soon as
8 encuesta para que todos vean lo grave que es el H
possible.
problema. F
El profesor quiere que hagamos el trabajo para The teacher wants us to do the work for
9 I
mañana. I tomorrow.

1 Es posible que mi abuelo no llegue hasta J It’s important that you don’t smoke if you want to
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 0 mañana. D keep fit.
3 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the present subjunctive of the verb in brackets.
1 Es importante que los menores no ________beban______________ (beber) alcohol.

2 Es necesario que el gobierno ________reduzca______________ (reducir) las cifras para el consumo de alcohol entre

los jóvenes.

3 El gobierno quiere que menos jóvenes ________consuman______________ (consumir) el cannabis.

4 Es posible que __________llueva____________ (llover) mañana.

5 Mañana iremos al centro para que tú _______veyas_______________ (ver) los monumentos.

6 Es importante que nosotros _________volvamos_____________ (volver) a casa en seguida.

7 El profesor de inglés quiere que todos nosotros __________llegemos____________ (llegar) a clase a tiempo.

8 Es importante que _______haya_______________ (haber) silencio en el aula para que todo el mundo

______________________ (oír) al profesor.

9 Quiero que vosotros me ___________deis___________ (dar) el dinero mañana.

10 Es posible que mi padre _______tenga_______________ (tener) que ir a Madrid la semana que viene.

4 Translate the completed sentences in activity 3 into English.

1 It’s important that the youngsters don’t drink alcohol

2 It’s necessary that the government reduces the numbers of teenagers that consume alcohol

3 The government wants that less teenagers consume cannabis

4 Its possible that it will rain tomorrow

5 Tomorrow we will go to the centre so you see the monuments

6 It’s important that we return home

7 The English teacher wants that we all arrive to class on time

8 It’s important that there is silence in the classroom so everyone can hear the teacher

9 I want you to give me the money tomorrow

10 It’s possible that my dad has to go to Madrid next week

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