DELE B1 Subjunctive (Wish/Desire): Practice Test & Review
The present subjunctive (quiera, vayas, tenga) is used to express wishes, desires, and requests. It appears throughout the DELE B1 exam — in reading passages, listening dialogues, and everyday conversations.
This page gives you a five-part practice quiz: an evaluation set to see where you stand, three practice sets to drill wish and desire expressions, and a challenge set to confirm mastery. If you get stuck, scroll down for the full explanation. Ready? Start with the evaluation set below.
The Rule
The present subjunctive is used to express wishes, desires, requests, and emotions — things that are not statements of fact. It’s formed with the present tense yo form, dropping the *-o*, and adding the opposite ending.
Subjunctive trigger + que + different subject + subjunctive verb
- Yo quiero que tú vengas. — I want you to come.
- Ella espera que nosotros lleguemos. — She hopes we arrive.
Forming the Present Subjunctive
| Verb type | Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -AR verbs | -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en | hablar → hable, hables, hable… |
| -ER verbs | -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an | comer → coma, comas, coma… |
| -IR verbs | -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an | vivir → viva, vivas, viva… |
The pattern: Start with the yo form of the present tense, drop the *-o*, add the opposite ending.
| Verb | Yo form | Drop -o | Subjunctive (tú) |
|---|---|---|---|
| hablar | hablo | habl- | hables |
| comer | como | com- | comas |
| vivir | vivo | viv- | vivas |
| tener | tengo | teng- | tengas |
| hacer | hago | hag- | hagas |
| decir | digo | dig- | digas |
| venir | vengo | veng- | vengas |
| salir | salgo | salg- | salgas |
Irregular Subjunctive Verbs
Some verbs are irregular in the subjunctive. They must be memorized.
| Verb | Subjunctive | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ir | vaya, vayas, vaya… | Quiero que vayas. |
| ser | sea, seas, sea… | Espero que seas feliz. |
| estar | esté, estés, esté… | Quiero que estés aquí. |
| saber | sepa, sepas, sepa… | Espero que sepas la verdad. |
| haber | haya, hayas, haya… | Espero que hayas llegado. |
| dar | dé, des, dé… | Quiero que me des el libro. |
When to Use the Subjunctive
Use the subjunctive after expressions of:
| Trigger | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Wish / desire | Quiero que vengas. | I want you to come. |
| Hope | Espero que estés bien. | I hope you’re well. |
| Preference | Prefiero que salgas ahora. | I prefer you leave now. |
| Request | Pido que hagas silencio. | I ask that you be quiet. |
| Emotion | Me alegra que estés aquí. | I’m glad you’re here. |
| Doubt / denial | No creo que sea verdad. | I don’t think it’s true. |
The Two-Subject Rule
The subjunctive is used when there are two different subjects — one expressing the wish, another doing the action.
| Two subjects → subjunctive | One subject → infinitive |
|---|---|
| Quiero que tú vengas. | Quiero venir. |
| Espero que él esté bien. | Espero estar bien. |
| Prefiero que nosotros salgamos. | Prefiero salir. |
If the subject is the same, use the infinitive. No que, no subjunctive.
Common Mistakes
1. Using indicative instead of subjunctive.
✗ Quiero que vienes.
✓ Quiero que vengas.
Wish/desire triggers the subjunctive.
2. Using subjunctive when the subject is the same.
✗ Quiero que yo vaya.
✓ Quiero ir.
Same subject → infinitive, not subjunctive.
3. Forgetting irregular subjunctives.
✗ Quiero que es.
✓ Quiero que sea.
Ser is irregular in the subjunctive: sea, seas, sea…
4. Forgetting the que.
✗ Quiero vengas.
✓ Quiero que vengas.
The subjunctive follows que when there are two subjects.
Quick Decision Chart
| Ask yourself | Answer | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Two different subjects? | Yes | Trigger + que + subjunctive |
| Same subject? | Yes | Trigger + infinitive |
| Expressing wish, desire, hope? | Yes | Subjunctive |
| Stating a fact? | Yes | Indicative |
| Is the verb irregular? | Yes | Memorize: vaya, sea, esté, sepa, haya, dé |
Two Sentences That Show the Difference
(Yo) Quiero que (tú) vengas a la fiesta.
I want you to come to the party.
- Two different subjects (yo, tú). Subjunctive after que.
(Yo) Quiero venir a la fiesta.
I want to come to the party.
- Same subject (yo). Infinitive, no subjunctive.
