Spanish expressions that require the subjunctive
Introduction
In Spanish, the subjunctive is required after certain expressions. For example, these include some conjunctions, impersonal expressions, and expressions of wishing, willing, commanding, or doubting. However, we have to be aware that some of these expressions are used with que and some without it.
Conjunctions
expression + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Mientras vivas en esta casa, deberás respetar las normas.As long as you live in this house, you must respect the rules.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| a condición de que | on the condition that |
| a fin de que | so that; in order that |
| a no ser que | unless |
| a pesar de que | although |
| aunque | even though |
| como si | as if |
| con tal de que | provided that |
| cuando | when, if |
| de ahí que | hence |
| después de que | after |
| en el caso de que | in the case that |
| hasta que | until |
| mientras que | while |
| para que | so that, in order that |
| por miedo a que | for fear that |
| sin que | without |
| tan pronto como | as soon as |
| etc. |
Expressing doubt
expression + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Probablemente ellos aún no hayan llegado.They probably haven’t arrived yet.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| posiblemente | possibly |
| probablemente | probably |
| quizá | maybe, perhaps |
| quizás | maybe, perhaps |
| tal vez | maybe, perhaps |
Wish, will, or command
expression + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Basta que hubiéramos llamado antes.It would have sufficed if we had called beforehand.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| basta | it suffices |
| importa | it’s important |
| urge | it’s urgent |
| ojalá | hopefully, it is to be hoped |
Impersonal expressions
expression + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Te compro lo que quieras con tal de que seas feliz.I’ll buy you whatever you want as long as you’re happy.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| a no ser | unless |
| con tal de | as long as |
| es aconsejable | it is advisable |
| es conveniente | it is sensible/desirable |
| es fundamental | it is fundamental |
| es importante | it is important |
| es posible | it is possible |
| es probable | it is probable |
| es imprescindible | it is indispensable/essential |
| es improbable | it is unlikely |
| es incierto | it is uncertain |
| es interesante | it is interesting |
| es mejor | it is better |
| es necesario | it is necessary |
| es urgente | it is urgent |
