Presente de Subjuntivo

The core idea

The indicative states facts. The subjunctive expresses subjectivity: doubt, desire, emotion, or a recommendation — things that are hoped for, uncertain, or not yet real.

It almost always shows up in a second clause, after que, when the subject changes between the two clauses:

• Wishes: querer que, esperar que, ojalá (que)
• Doubt / denial: dudar que, no creer que, es posible que
• Emotion: alegrarse de que, es una pena que, me molesta que
• Recommendation: recomendar que, es importante que, es necesario que

How to build it

Start from the yo form of the present indicative, drop the -o, and add the opposite endings: -ar verbs take e endings, -er/-ir verbs take a endings.

The six that don't follow the rule

Only a handful of verbs can't be built from the yo form, because their yo form doesn't end in -o. They're worth memorising outright.

Examples