¿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 were not raining

(= 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

Subjunctive Mood