Explanation

The subjunctive ( el subjuntivo ) is one of the three moods in Spanish, the other two being the indicative and the imperative. The subjunctive is used to express desires, doubts, wishes, conjectures, emotions, and possibilities. The subjunctive mood includes many of the same verb tenses as the indicative mood, including the perfect, the past, and the future, which is rarely used in modern Spanish, but good to know for literature.

The subjunctive is often compared with the indicative. Check out our comparison here!

Articles on the Different Subjunctive Tenses

Present

• Spanish Present Subjunctive
• Spanish Present Perfect Subjunctive

Past

• Spanish Imperfect Subjunctive
• Past Perfect Subjunctive Forms

Future

• Spanish Future Subjunctive
• Spanish Future Perfect Subjunctive

Elements of the Subjunctive

There are often three main parts to a subjunctive sentence:

1. Two Different Subjects

Subjunctive sentences often have one subject in the main/independent clause and one in the noun/dependent clause.

2. A Conjunction

Subjunctive sentences often have parts linked by a conjunction, such as que (that), aunque (although), a no ser que (unless) or a fin de que (so that).

3. Two Verbs: One WEIRDO and One Subjunctive

Subjunctive sentences often contain a WEIRDO verb (see uses below) that signals that the verb in the next clause will be in the subjunctive.