How to Form the Subjunctive in Spanish: Step-by-Step Guide + QUIZ

Mastering the subjunctive starts with knowing how to form it! While our When to Use the Subjunctive guide explains why it’s used, this post will show you how to conjugate it—with clear rules, examples, and tips.

In this comprehensive guide from SpanishGrammar.net, you’ll master:
✔️ Exactly how to form the subjunctive in all tenses (present, past, future)
✔️ The 6 must-know irregular verbs (DISHES acronym)
✔️ Stem changes and spelling fixes (-car → -que, -gar → -gue)
✔️real examples with English translations

Unlike other guides that just explain when to use the subjunctive, we focus on the mechanics of conjugation – so you can confidently create phrases like “Espero que vengas” (I hope you come) and “Si tuviera tiempo” (If I had time).

Key question answered: “How do you actually conjugate verbs in the Spanish subjunctive mood?”

1. Present Subjunctive Formation

Regular Verb Conjugation

Start with the yo form of present indicative, drop the -o, and add subjunctive endings:

-AR verbs (hablar):

• yo hable (I speak)
• tú hables (you speak)
• él/ella hable (he/she speaks)
• nosotros hablemos (we speak)
• vosotros habléis (you all speak)
• ellos hablen (they speak)

-ER/-IR verbs (comer/vivir):

• yo coma/viva (I eat/live)
• tú comas/vivas (you eat/live)
• él/ella coma/viva (he/she eats/lives)
• nosotros comamos/vivamos (we eat/live)
• vosotros comáis/viváis (you all eat/live)
• ellos coman/vivan (they eat/live)

2. Irregular Subjunctive Verbs

DISHES Verbs (Must Memorize)

These common irregulars follow no pattern:

Verb	Subjunctive (yo)	Example	Translation
Dar	dé	Espero que me dé el libro.	I hope he gives me the book.
Ir	vaya	Quiero que vayas.	I want you to go.
Ser	sea	Es bueno que sea honesto.	It’s good that he’s honest.
Haber	haya	Ojalá que haya comida.	I hope there’s food.
Estar	esté	Dudo que esté listo.	I doubt it’s ready.
Saber	sepa	No creo que lo sepa.	I don’t think he knows.

3. Stem-Changing Verbs

Stem changes carry over from present indicative:

E → IE (pensar):

• yo piense (I think)
• tú pienses (you think)

O → UE (volver):

• yo vuelva (I return)
• tú vuelvas (you return)

E → I (pedir):

• yo pida (I ask for)
• tú pidas (you ask for)

Example:
“Es importante que entiendas la lección.”
(It’s important that you understand the lesson.)

4. Spelling Changes

-CAR, -GAR, -ZAR Verbs (to maintain pronunciation):

• buscar → yo busque (I look for)
• pagar → yo pague (I pay)
• empezar → yo empiece (I begin)

Example:
“Recomiendo que llegues temprano.”
(I recommend that you arrive early.)

5. Past (Imperfect) Subjunctive

Two forms exist (-ra and -se), both correct:

Formation:
Take the ellos preterite form, drop -ron, add:

• -ra, -ras, -ra, -ramos, -rais, -ran
  OR
• -se, -ses, -se, -semos, -seis, -sen

Example (hablar):
“Si hablara/hablase mejor español…”
(If I spoke better Spanish…)

Irregulars match preterite:
tener → tuviera/tuviese
decir → dijera/dijese

6. Future Subjunctive (Rare but Useful)

Formation:
Infinitive + endings: -re, -res, -re, -remos, -reis, -ren

Example:
“Adonde fueres, haz lo que vieres.”
(Wherever you go, do what you see.)

7. Subjunctive in Compound Tenses

Present Perfect Subjunctive:
haber (present subj) + past participle
“Espero que hayas terminado.”
(I hope you have finished.)

Pluperfect Subjunctive:
haber (past subj) + past participle
“Si hubiera sabido, habría venido.”
(If I had known, I would have come.)

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Key Takeaways:

1. Start with yo form (present indicative) for present subjunctive
2. Memorize DISHES irregulars
3. Stem changes carry over
4. Past subjunctive uses preterite stem
5. Future subjunctive is rare but appears in fixed phrases

Now that you know how to form the subjunctive, revisit our When to Use the Subjunctive guide to master both halves of the puzzle!

Present Subjunctive Examples

1. Regular -AR
   • Espero que tú hables con ella.
     (I hope you speak with her.)
2. Regular -ER
   • Quiero que comas más vegetales.
     (I want you to eat more vegetables.)
3. Regular -IR
   • Es necesario que vivamos aquí.
     (It’s necessary that we live here.)
4. Irregular (DISHES)
   • Ojalá que haya paz en el mundo.
     (Hopefully there’s peace in the world.)
   • Dudo que él sepa la verdad.
     (I doubt he knows the truth.)
5. Stem-Changing
   • Prefiero que cierres la puerta.
     (I prefer you close the door.)
   • Es raro que sientas frío en verano.
     (It’s weird you feel cold in summer.)

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Past (Imperfect) Subjunctive Examples

6. -RA Form
   • Si tuviera dinero, viajaría.
     (If I had money, I would travel.)
   • Era posible que lloviera ayer.
     (It was possible it rained yesterday.)
7. -SE Form
   • Si fuese más alto, jugaría baloncesto.
     (If I were taller, I’d play basketball.)
   • No creía que dijese eso.
     (I didn’t believe he said that.)

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Future Subjunctive Examples

8. Classic Usage
   • “Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres.”
     (Wherever you go, do what you see.)
   • Cuando terminares, avísame.
     (When you finish, let me know.)

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Compound Tense Examples

9. Present Perfect Subjunctive
   • Me alegra que hayas venido.
     (I’m glad you’ve come.)
   • Es dudoso que hayan terminado.
     (It’s doubtful they’ve finished.)
10. Pluperfect Subjunctive
    • Si hubieras estudiado, habrías aprobado.
      (If you had studied, you would have passed.)
    • Ojalá hubiéramos sabido antes.
      (I wish we had known earlier.)

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Spelling Change Examples

11. -CAR → -QUE
    • Busco un libro que explique esto.
      (I need a book that explains this.)
12. -GAR → -GUE
    • Insisto en que pagues hoy.
      (I insist you pay today.)
13. -ZAR → -CE
    • Sugiero que empieces ahora.
      (I suggest you start now.)

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Advanced Nuances

14. Impersonal Expressions
    • Es increíble que haya tanta gente.
      (It’s amazing there are so many people.)
15. Emotional Reactions
    • Me molesta que llegues tarde.
      (It bothers me that you arrive late.)
16. Fixed Phrases
    • Sea lo que sea, lo aceptaré.
      (Whatever it is, I’ll accept it.)

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Pro Tip: For quick reference, bookmark these common structures:

• Wishes: Quiero/Espero/Ojalá que + subj
• Doubt: Dudo/No creo que + subj
• Emotion: Me alegra/Es triste que + subj

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QUIZ TIME FOR SPANISH SUBJUNCTIVE