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Use of Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive is used when there is...

1. A. a verb or expression of willing / influence

    Recomiendo que compres una bicicleta.

B. a verb or expression of emotion

    Espero que los Gators ganen el partido.

C. a verb or expression of doubt / denial

    Dudo que Carlos venga a la fiesta.

D. a conjunction of contingency / purpose

    Yo limpio el baño con tal que tú laves los platos.

***AND***

2. There is a change of subject in the sentence*** (see footnote)

Compare:

  • Quiero que me compres una bicicleta.
  • Quiero comprar una bicicleta.

"Quiero" is a verb of willing, but since there is no change of subject in the second
sentence, the subjunctive is not used.

Compare:

  • Voy a comer antes de salir.
  • Voy a comer antes de que salgamos.

***There are some exceptions to this rule. Sometimes subjunctive is used even
when there is no change of subject in the sentence:

  • Siento que (yo) no pueda ir a la fiesta mañana.
  • Voy a la fiesta con tal que (yo) tenga tiempo.
  • Dudo que (yo) vaya a la fiesta mañana.


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