Basic usage of the present tense in Spanish subjunctive
Spanish subjunctive is a very unfamiliar grammar to most learners. Let’s briefly talk about the 8 basic uses of the virtual tense.
Doubt or Possibility (Quizás/ Tal vez)
- Quizá(s): Quizás venga a verte. (Maybe he’ll come to
see you) Also available in declarative form: Quizá no te invitará. (Maybe he won’t invite you) - Tal vez: Tal vez sea necesario pedirle un consejo. (Maybe you have to ask for his advice)
Wishes ( Ojalá)
- Ojalá: Ojalá no llueva mañana. (Hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow)
Imperative (negative)
- No vengas. (Don’t come over)
- No te preocupes. (Don’t be nervous)
Purpose (different subject)
- Para que: Gano dinero para que mi hija pueda estudiar en la universidad. (I earn money to get my daughter to college)
Cuando+ has not yet done/implemented the action
- Cuando llegues a casa, llámame. (When you get home, please call me)
Best wishes
- Que: Que descanses. (Good night = good night’s sleep)
- Que Dios te bendiga. (May the Lord bless you)
Ask, ask others to do things
- Me pide que haga las compras en el supermercado. (He told me to go to the supermarket to buy something)
Unsure of people or things
- Quiere comprar una cosa con la que se pueda abrir la lata. (He wants to buy something that can be opened← doesn’t know what can be pulled)
- Busco un secretario que hable portugués. (I’m going to find a secretary who speaks Portuguese← I don’t know who will be the secretary yet)