The subjunctive usually appears after “que” when the first part of the sentence expresses a wish, an emotion, a doubt or an evaluation. It talks about the world as we want, fear or doubt it, not as a plain fact.
Two different subjects plus a trigger → que + subjunctive. Same subject → infinitive: Quiero ir (not “quiero que yo vaya”).
Wishes and influence
When you want, ask, recommend or allow someone else to do something.
- Quiero que vengas a mi fiesta.I want you to come to my party.
- Te pido que me llames esta tarde.I’m asking you to call me this afternoon.
- Te recomiendo que pruebes la paella.I recommend you try the paella.
Emotions
When you react emotionally to what someone else does or what happens.
- Me alegra que estés aquí.I’m glad you’re here.
- Siento que no puedas venir.I’m sorry you can’t come.
- Me molesta que siempre llegue tarde.It bothers me that he’s always late.
Doubt and denial
When you doubt or deny something. Careful: “creo que” (I think) states a belief and takes the indicative. “No creo que” takes the subjunctive.
- Dudo que sea verdad.I doubt it’s true.
- No creo que llueva mañana.I don’t think it will rain tomorrow.
- Creo que tienes razón.I think you’re right. (indicative)
Evaluations: es + adjective + que
Impersonal expressions that evaluate something take the subjunctive. Expressions of certainty, like “es verdad que”, take the indicative.
- Es importante que practiques cada día.It’s important that you practise every day.
- Es posible que lleguen tarde.They might arrive late.
- Es verdad que hace calor.It’s true that it’s hot. (indicative)
Ojalá, cuando and para que
Ojalá (“hopefully”) always takes the subjunctive. Cuando + subjunctive talks about the future. Para que (“so that”) always takes the subjunctive.
- Ojalá haga sol el sábado.Hopefully it’ll be sunny on Saturday.
- Cuando llegues, llámame.When you arrive, call me.
- Te lo explico para que lo entiendas.I’ll explain it so that you understand.
Common mistakes
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Wrong: Quiero que vienes. Right: Quiero que vengas.
A wish about someone else: subjunctive.
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Wrong: No creo que es verdad. Right: No creo que sea verdad.
Denying a belief: subjunctive.
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Wrong: Cuando llegarás, llámame. Right: Cuando llegues, llámame.
Cuando about the future takes the subjunctive, never the future tense.
Test yourself
Pick the right option. You get an explanation straight away.
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1Quiero que tú ___ conmigo.
A wish about someone else: subjunctive.
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2Creo que ___ razón.
Creo que states a belief: indicative.
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3Es importante que ___ cada día.
Evaluation with es importante que: subjunctive.
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4Ojalá ___ buen tiempo mañana.
Ojalá always takes the subjunctive.
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5Cuando ___ a casa, te llamo.
Cuando about the future: subjunctive.