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The Subjunctive-Indicative Distinction (S/I)

 
  Introduction | S/I in Noun Clauses | S/I in Adjective Clauses | S/I in Adverbial Clauses | S/I in Si Clauses  
  Past subjunctive, Sequence of Tenses | Perfect Subjunctive Tenses | Subjunctive in Main Clauses | Subjunctive After Ojalá  
 
 
  • "Subjunctive" and "indicative" are two of the three "moods" (modes) that Spanish verbs appear in. (Imperatives--commands--are the the third.)
  • Unlike imperatives, both the indicative and subjunctive appear in full conjugations (all persons, singular and plural), and show tense distinctions.
  • The indicative is the "default" mood for a conjugated verb. The present indicative is the first conjugation encountered when studying Spanish.
  • The subjunctive is used under certain circumstances, described below.
  • The subjunctive in modern Spanish occurs in present and past (imperfect) tense, with simple and compound (perfect) forms of each. There are therefore four subjunctive conjugations in all, compared to nine indicative conjugations.
 
  Structural (Grammatical) Context for Subjunctive / Indicative Choice (top of page)  
 
  • The most common place where an S/I choice is made is in a two-clause sentence1 that consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause.
  • The main verb of such a sentence will never be conjugated in subjunctive, but rather in indicative or the imperative.2
  • A subordinate clause is most commonly headed by the subordinator que, but also sometimes by cuando, mientras, si, donde or another word.3
  • The subordinate verb will be either indicative or subjunctive depending on factors described below.
 
 
   
  1. There are, of course, sentences that consist of one or of three or more [clauses], sometimes involving S/I choices:
    • Quizás hace / haga buen tiempo mañana.
    • [ Es obvio] [que todos quieren] [que tú ganes.]
  2. Some of these (Ud., Uds. and all negative imperatives) are subjunctive in form, but imperative in function:
    • Dígale a Carlos que vamos a comer a las seis.
    • No le digas que venga a las siete.
  3. Two-clause sentences whose clauses are joined by coordinators like y, o, pero consist of two independent clauses and do not present an S/I choice. Both verbs in such sentences will be conjugated in the indicative.
    • Todos los días levanto pesas y corro dos millas.
    • Yo no tengo dinero, pero no me importa.
 
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Noun Clauses (top of page)  
 
  • A Noun Clause is a [subordinate clause] that has the grammatical function of a pro(noun)*, serving as the [subject]1 or the [direct object]2 of a sentence.
    1. Eso* es evidente.→Es evidente [que todos quieren salir ahora].
    2. Lo* creo.→Creo que la escuela está muy cerca.
  
  The Indicative in Noun Clauses: Expression of Affirmation, Belief, Observation  
 
  • The noun clause verb will be indicative if speaker expresses the belief that the content of the subordinate clause is currently true, but without evaluative comment or reaction:
    • Creo que Juan habla inglés. I think that Juan speaks English.
    • Es verdad/Está claro/Es un hecho que nadie está de acuerdo. It's true/obvious/a fact that nobody agrees.
    • Se nota que la mayoría sabe leer. It is noted that the majority know how to read.
  
  The Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Emotional Reactions, Value Judgements  
 
  • The verb of a noun clause will be subjunctive if the main clause contains an emotional reaction or value judgement*:
    • Es bueno/lógico que Alicia vaya conmigo. It's good/logical that Alicia is going with me.
    • Nos gusta que tú aceptes la idea. We like it that you accept the idea.
    • Es lógico que tú hables español muy bien, porque eres de España. It's logical that you speak Spanish very well, you're from Spain.
  
 
 
  • *These go beyond simply asserting the factual nature of or belief in something; compare:
    • Belief/assertion: Es un hecho que hace mal tiempo hoy. (It's a fact that...)
    • Evaluation: Es una lástima que haga mal tiempo hoy. (It's a shame that...)
 
 
  The Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Doubt, Denial, Uncertainty  
 
  • The verb of a noun clause will be subjunctive if the main clause contains an expression of doubt, denial or uncertainty:
    • Dudo que ella hable mejor que tú. I doubt that she speaks better than you.
    • No es verdad que el presidente venga hoy. It's not true that the presidente is coming today.
    • No estamos seguros que haya comida suficiente. We're not sure that there's enough food.
 
  The Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: An Attempt to Influence (Verbs of Volition)  
 
  • The verb of a noun clause will be subjunctive if the main clause reports an attempt to influence (bring about) the event of the subordinate clause.
    • Te recomiendo que leas el primer capítulo. I recommend that you read the first chapter.
    • Papá siempre nos dice que hagamos los quehaceres. Dad always tells us to do the chores.
    • Les voy a pedir que entreguen la tarea hoy. I'm going to ask them to turn the assignment in today.
 
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Adjective Clauses (top of page)  
 
  • An [adjective clause]1 is a subordinate clause that functions as an adjective2, modifying a noun3 (its antecedent):
    • Tenemos un empleado3 perezoso2.→Tenemos un empleado [que no trabaja]1.
      • We have a lazy employee.→We have an employee that doesn't work.
 
  The Indicative in Adjective Clauses  
 
  • The indicative is used in an adjective clause if it clause refers to an antecedent* that is identified or within one's experience:
    • Hay un restaurante* que sirve platos mexicanos. There's a restaurant that serves Mexican dishes.
    • Voy a una tienda* donde saben mucho de esas cosas. I'm going to a store where they know a lot about those things.
 
  The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses  
 
  • The subjunctive is used in an adjective clause if it clause refers to an antecedent that is unidentified, outside one's experience, or said to be non-existent:
    • Busco una tienda donde sepan mucho de esas cosas. I'm looking for a store where they know a lot about those things.
    • Lee cualquier revista que te interese. Read whatever magazine interests you.
    • No hay ningún restaurante que sirva platos mexicanos. There's no restaurant that serves Mexican dishes.
  
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Adverbial Clauses (top of page)  
 
  • Adverbial clauses are headed either by a time subordinator or by one describing place or manner.
  
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Adverbial Clauses Headed by Time Subordinators  
  With one common exception, time subordinators can take either the indicative or the subjunctive, as discussed below.  
 
  • The subordinate verb will be indicative if it refers to an event that is generally true or known to happen.
    • Cuando lo visito, hablamos mucho de la política. When I visit him, talk about politics a lot.
    • Mientras ella prepara el desayuno, yo pongo la mesa.While she makes breakfast, I set the table.
    • Después de que Mariana toma un examen, siempre la invito a comer.After Mariana takes an exam, I always take her out to eat.
  • It will be in the subjunctive if it is still in the future as of the time of the main verb:
    • Voy a hablar con el jefe cuando termine la reunión. I'm going to speak with the boss when the meeting ends.
    • Tan pronto como llegue Paco, todos vamos a felicitarlo. As soon as Paco gets here, we're all going to congratulate him.
  • The subjunctive is always used after antes (de) que, since the verb that follows always refers to something that has not yet occurred; compare:
    • Abrimos la puerta antes de que los clientes lleguen. We open the door before the customers arrive.
    • La cerramos después de que salen. We lock it after they leave.
  
 
  • Other time subordinators:
    • en cuanto (as soon as); tan pronto como (as soon as); hasta que (until) ; a medida que (as (an event proceeds); siempre que (as soon as, whenever)
 
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Adverbial Clauses Headed by Subordinators of Place or Manner  
  A number of non-time subordinators, owing to their meaning, take either indicative exclusively or subjunctive exclusively, or heavily favor one or the other. Some can take either mood.  
 
  • Subordinators that indicate acceptance of what follows as fact take the indicative1:
    • En vista de que todos están de acuerdo, vamos a terminar la discusión. In view of the fact that all agree, we're going to end the discussion.
    • Puesto que no tenemos tiempo suficiente, dejamos eso para otro día. Since (inasmuch as) we don't have enough time, we'll leave that for another day.
  • Those that express purpose or condition take the subjunctive2:
    • Te lo digo con tal de que prometas guardar el secreto. I'll tell you provided that you promise to keep the secret.
    • Hablo despacio para que todos entiendan. I speak slowly so that all will understand.
    • Vamos a la playa a menos que llueva. We're going to the beach unless it rains.
  • De modo que, de manera que take indicative when they precede the result the main verb, action, subjunctive when they precede its intent:
  • Subordinators of concession aunque, a pesar de que, aun cuando take indicative when what follows is thought of as true, subjunctive when doubt is present:
    • Aunque es / sea aburrido, pienso leer el artículo de nuevo. Though it is (might be) boring, I'm going to read the article again.
    • Pensamos ir, a pesar de que nos parece / parezca innecesario. We're going to go, even though it seems / might seem unnecessary.
  • Donde, como, de la manera que take indicative when the subordinate verb event is true or known at time of main verb, subjunctive when it is unrealized (still in the future):
    • El siempre hace su trabajo como él quiere. He always does his work in the way that he wants.
    • Haré el trabajo como yo quiera. I do the work the way I want to.
    • Generalmente trabajo donde trabajan mis colegas. I generally work where my colleagues work.
    • Van a construir el puente donde les parezca más factible. They're going to build the bridge where it seems most feasible.
    • John va a aprender español de la manera que el prefiera. John is going to learn Spanish in the way that he prefers.
 
 
  1. Others: debido a que (owing to the fact that); ya que (inasmuch as); el hecho de que (the fact that) pues (because)
  2. Others: sin que (without); a fin de que (so that); a condición de que (on the condition that); en caso de que (in case)
 
  Sequence of Tenses, Use of the Past Subjunctive (top of page)  
 
  • Sequence of tenses (tense agreement) in subjunctive-requiring contexts:
    • The present subjunctive is used when the main verb is present, future or imperative*:
      • Me pide / pedirá que lo lleve al centro. He asks / will ask me to take him downtown.
      • Busquen Uds. libros que les interesen. Look for books that interest you.
    • The past (imperfect) subjunctive is used if the main verb is past or conditional:
      • Quería que lo hicieras. I wanted you to do it.
      • Me gustaría que nadie viera esa película.I would like for nobody to see that film.
 
 
 
  • *Common exceptions: Where appropriate, past subjunctive can be used in a noun clause after a present-tense verb expressing doubt1 or value judgement2, or in an adjective clause3:
    • Dudo1 que viniera. I doubt that he came.
    • Es bueno2 que tú no fueras con ellos. It's good that you didn't go with them.
    • Busco a alguien 3que estuviera aquí ayer a las tres. I'm looking for someone who was here at three yesterday.
  
 
  Use of the Perfect Subjunctive Tenses (top of page)  
 
  • The two perfect subjunctive conjugations (present perfect subjunctive1, pluperfect subjunctive2) are used if the events they describe precede that of the main verb:
    • Es bueno que hayas estudiado1 la historia del país. It's good that you've studied the history of the country.
    • Queremos contratar a dos personas que ya se hayan graduado1. We want to hire two people who have already graduated.
    • Esperaba que tú no hubieras salido2. I was hoping you hadn't left.
    • Dudé que ellos me hubieran entendido2. I doubted that they had understood me.
 
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Si Clauses (top of page)  
 
  • Si clauses differ from other subordinate clauses in that, despite the fact that si (verb)... suggests uncertainty, unrealization, etc., the present subjunctive is never used in a si clause, regardless of the degree of doubt.
  • The only non-past verb form that will appear after si is the present indicative.
  • The imperfect subjunctive, pluperfect subjunctive and indicative past tenses are also used.
 
 
  • The present tense pattern: Si (present indicative), (present indicative or future); these sentences describe what habitually occurs or will occur under certain circumstances:
    • Si le hablo en inglés, me contesta en español.* If I speak to him in English, he answers in Spanish.
    • Si Alfredo juega tan bien, ¿por qué siempre pierde? If Alfredo plays so well (as he says), why does he always lose?
    • Si todos quieren, iremos al restaurante italiano. If everyone wants to, we'll go to the Italian restaurant.
  • Clauses with si + indicative past tenses are "backshifted" versions of the above:
    • Si le hablaba en inglés, me contestaba en español. If I spoke to him in English, he answered me in Spanish.
    • Si Alfredo jugó tan bien, ¿por qué siempre perdía? If Alfredo played so well (as he says), why did he lose?
    • Decidimos que si todos querían, iríamos al restaurante italiano. We decided that if everyone wanted to, we would go to the Italian restaurant.
  • Si + imperfect subjunctive is used for hypothetical future events1 or something that contradicts2 present fact; the conditional is used in the main clause:
    • Si bebiera1 tres tazas de café, no podría dormir. If I drank three cups of coffee, I wouldn't be able to sleep.
    • Si fuera2 rico, no tendría que trabajar. If I were rich, I wouldn't have to work.
  • Si + pluperfect subjunctive is used to speculate about a non-existent past; the conditional or the conditional perfect is used in the main clause:
    • Si hubiéramos ido al centro, habríamos visto a Julia. If we had gone downtown, we would have seen Julia.
    • Si hubiera aceptado ese puesto en 1990, sería presidente de la compañía ahora. If I had accepted that position in 1990, I'd be president of the company now.
  
  The Subjunctive in Independent (Main) Clauses (top of page)  
 
  • Though exceptional (see grammatical context for subjunctive) the subjunctive occasionally appears in a single-clause sentence.
    • In indirect commands (subjunctive only):
      • No quiero hacer esto. ¡Que lo haga él! I don't want to do this. Let him do it!
      • Haya luz. Let there be light.
    • After certain words that describe possibility, to show a greater degree of doubt (alternates with indicative):
    • No sé qué hora es. Tal vez son / sean las dos. I don't know what time it is. Maybe it's three o'clock.
 
  The Subjunctive After Ojalá (top of page)  
 
  • Ojalá (God grant that...) is always followed by the subjunctive.
    • With present or present perfect subjunctive: it means I hope...:
      • Ojalá no nieve. I hope it doesn't snow.Ojalá nadie te haya oído decir eso.I hope nobody heard you say that.
    • With past (pluperfect) subjunctive, it express a wish contrary to the actual facts, present or past:
      • Ojalá tuviera dinero suficiente para comprar esa casa. I wish I had enough money to buy that house.
      • Ojalá Juana no se hubiera casado con ese. I wish Juana hadn't married that guy.