A wish or request can introduce a present subjunctive verb.

The idea

For regular verbs, remove the infinitive ending: -ar takes -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en; -er and -ir take -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. In Spain vosotros uses the fifth form; elsewhere ustedes generally uses the sixth.

Examples

  • Espero que Marta prepare la cena.I hope Marta prepares dinner.
  • Es importante que comamos juntos.It is important that we eat together.
  • Quieren que vivas cerca del parque.They want you to live near the park.
  • Ojalá los vecinos hablen con calma.Hopefully the neighbours will speak calmly.
  • La médica desea que bebamos agua.The doctor wants us to drink water.
  • Espero que vosotros estudiéis mañana.I hope you all study tomorrow.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

Do not keep the indicative vowel: hables, not hablas, follows a subjunctive trigger.

Try it yourself

  1. Complete with the present subjunctive. Espero que tú ___ la ventana. (limpiar)

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    limpies

    Limpies agrees with tú.

  2. Complete with the present subjunctive. Es necesario que nosotros ___ temprano. (comer)

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    comamos

    Comamos agrees with nosotros.

  3. Complete with the present subjunctive. Quieren que ustedes ___ aquí. (vivir)

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    vivan

    Vivan agrees with ustedes.

Use it today

Complete each sentence with the form that matches its subject.