Subjunctive Mood
El modo subjuntivo en inglés se usa para deseos, recomendaciones formales y expresiones fijas.
¿Cuándo se usa el subjuntivo?
- Deseos con wish
- Recomendaciones formales con verbos como suggest, recommend, insist
- Expresiones fijas como God save the Queen, Be that as it may
Subjuntivo en recomendaciones formales
Estructura
Verb + that + sujeto + base verb
I suggest that he be on time
They recommended that she study more
Ejemplos
The teacher insisted that he pay attention
I recommend that you take this course
They requested that she be there
Subjuntivo en deseos (wish)
| Tiempo | Estructura | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| Deseo presente | wish + past simple | I wish I were taller |
| Deseo pasado | wish + past perfect | I wish I had studied more |
| Deseo futuro | wish + would + base | I wish you would call me |
Expresiones fijas en subjuntivo
Ejemplos
So be it
Long live the King
Peace be with you
Be that as it may
Práctica: Subjunctive Mood
1. I suggest that he _____ (be) on time.
2. The teacher insisted that we _____ (hand in) the work.
3. I wish I _____ (be) taller.
4. I wish I _____ (study) more last year.
5. I wish you _____ (call) me tomorrow.
💡 Consejos importantes
- En subjuntivo formal se usa el verbo en base form (be, go, pay)
- Con wish: pasado para deseos presentes, past perfect para deseos pasados
- \"Were\" se usa con todos los sujetos en deseos (I wish I were)
- Expresiones fijas mantienen la forma subjuntiva
🎯 Regla clave
El subjuntivo en inglés aparece en contextos formales, deseos y expresiones fijas. Se caracteriza por el uso de la base form incluso con tercera persona.
Subjunctive Mood
El Subjunctive expresa duda, deseos, emociones, necesidad y situaciones hipotéticas. Es más común en inglés americano que británico.
¿Qué es el Subjunctive?
El Subjunctive (subjuntivo) expresa situaciones que no son reales: deseos, dudas, emociones, recomendaciones o situaciones hipotéticas.
Present Subjunctive - Verbo base:
Estructura
Sujeto + verbo en base form
(sin -s para tercera persona)
I recommend that he be on time
We suggest that she study harder
It's important that they arrive early
Verbos que lo requieren
recommend, suggest, insist, demand
It's + adjective: important, necessary, essential
It's + noun: requirement, condition, rule
Past Subjunctive - Were (no was):
If + were (todas las personas)
If I were rich, I would travel
If she were here, she would help
If we were younger, we would dance
(Nunca "was" para I/he/she/it)
Wish + past simple
I wish I were taller
She wishes she were in Paris
We wish it were summer
(= deseo algo irreal)
Usos principales del Subjunctive:
Recomendaciones oficiales
The doctor recommends that he exercise daily
The teacher insists that students be quiet
The law requires that citizens pay taxes
(formal, impersonal)
Deseos y arrepentimiento
I wish I were younger
If only she were here
I wish it
(= situaciones irreales)
Duda y negación
I doubt that he be telling the truth
It's not true that water boil at 50°C
I deny that she be involved
(= expresiones de duda)
Expresiones con Subjunctive:
| Expresión | Ejemplo | Uso |
|---|---|---|
| It's important that... | It's important that you be on time | Necesidad/Importancia |
| I insist that... | I insist that she come with us | Insistencia |
| It's necessary that... | It's necessary that he study harder | Necesidad |
| I wish... | I wish I were rich | Deseo irreal |
| If only... | If only it were summer | Deseo intenso |
| Suppose/Supposing... | Suppose he be right | Suposición hipotética |
Subjunctive vs Indicativo:
Subjunctive (irreal):
- I wish I were taller
- It's important that he be here
- If only she were rich
- I insist that you study
Indicativo (real):
- I think I am tall enough
- It's true that he is here
- She is rich
- I know that you study hard
Práctica: Subjunctive Mood
1. I recommend that he _____ (be) on time for the meeting.
2. If only I _____ (be) taller, I could play basketball.
3. It's necessary that students _____ (study) for their exams.
4. I wish I _____ (have) more free time.
5. The teacher insists that we _____ (do) our homework.
6. Suppose he _____ (be) telling the truth, what would you do?
💡 Consejos importantes
- Present Subjunctive: verbo en base form (be, go, do, etc.)
- Past Subjunctive: were para todas las personas (no was)
- Se usa después de expresiones de duda, deseo, necesidad
- Más común en inglés americano que británico
- En la práctica cotidiana, a menudo se reemplaza por estructuras más simples
🎯 Regla clave
El Subjunctive expresa situaciones irreales, deseos, recomendaciones formales y duda. Es más frecuente en contextos formales y escritos.