Spanish verbs that require the subjunctive
Introduction
There are many verbs in Spanish that require the subjunctive. It’s best to start by learning the verbs that are also often used in English. In this way, you will become familiar with the correct usage of the subjunctive and be able to apply this knowledge to other verbs later.
Verbs of Speech and Thought in Negative Form
no + verb + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- No creo que sea una persona arrogante.I don’t think he is an arrogant person.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| admitir | accept, admit | jurar | swear, vow |
| advertir | note, point out | juzgar | judge |
| asegurar | ensure, secure | opinar | opine (say, think) |
| afirmar | affirm | pensar | think |
| confesar | confess, admit | presumir | presume, boast |
| creer | believe | reconocer | recognise |
| decir | say | saber | know (a fact) |
| estimar | estimate | sospechar | suspect |
| imaginarse | imagine |
Verbs of Wishing/Willing/Commanding
verb + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Nos han pedido que nos fuéramos a casa.They requested that we go home.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| aceptar | accept | merecer | deserve, merit |
| aconsejar | advise (s.o.) | necesitar | need |
| advertir | warn (s.o.) | obligar | force, obligate |
| buscar | search for | ordenar | arrange, order |
| causar | cause | pedir | request |
| conceder | concede, grant | perdonar | forgive, pardon |
| conseguir | get, achieve | permitir | permit, allow |
| convenir | agree | persuadir | persuade, convince |
| criticar | criticise | preferir | prefer |
| decir | say | pretender | claim, aim |
| dejar | let, leave | procurar | attempt |
| descartar | dismiss, discard | prohibir | prohibit, forbid |
| desear | wish, desire | promover | promote, sponsor |
| desmentir | deny | proponer | propose, suggest |
| esperar | wait for, hope for | querer | want |
| establecer | establish | reclamar | claim, complain |
| evitar | avoid | recomendar | recommend |
| exigir | demand | reprochar | reproach, blame |
| hacer | make, do | rogar | pray, entreat |
| impedir | impede, prevent | solicitar | request, solicit |
| implantar | implant, found | sugerir | suggest |
| indicar | indicate | suplicar | supplicate, appeal |
| lograr | accomplish, achieve | tolerar | tolerate |
| mandar | order, command |
Verbs of Doubt/Uncertainty
verb + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Me extraña que Rosana no haya llamado.I’m surprised that Rosana hasn’t called.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| dudar | to doubt/to wonder |
| extrañarse | to be surprised/to wonder |
Verbs of Feeling/Mood
verb + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Lamenté que no hubieras venido.I regretted that you hadn’t come.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| admirar | admire | extrañarse de | surprise, find strange |
| alegrarse (de) | cheer up, be happy (about) | lamentar | regret, be sorry about |
| arrepentirse | repent, regret | perdonar | forgive, waive |
| celebrar | celebrate | quejarse de | complain (about) |
| contentarse con | be content with | reconfortar | comfort |
| disfrutar | enjoy | sentir | feel |
| doler | hurt, ache | temer | fear |
| dudar | doubt, wonder about |
Verbs of Feeling/Mood
verb + que + subjuntivo
- Example:
- Me encanta que vengas a visitarme.I love that you’re coming to visit me.
| Spanish | English | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| (me) abate | it brings (me) down | (me) entusiasma | it delights (me) |
| (me) aburre | it bores (me) | (me) escandaliza | it shocks/scandalises (me) |
| (me) agrada | it pleases/gratifies (me) | (me) fascina | it fascinates (me) |
| (me) angustia | it anguishes/distresses (me) | (me) gusta | (I) like/it pleases (me) |
| (me) apena | it distresses (me) | (me) halaga | it flatters (me) |
| (me) asombra | it astonishes/amazes (me) | (me) horripila | it horrifies (me)/creeps (me) out |
| (me) atormenta | it torments/tortures (me) | (me) horroriza | it horrifies/appals (me) |
| (me) avergüenza | it shames/embarrasses (me) | (me) importa | it is important (to me) |
| (me) cautiva | it captivates/beguiles (me) | (me) impresiona | it impresses (me) |
| (me) complace | it pleases (me) | (me) indigna | it makes (me) indignant/disgusts (me) |
| (me) confunde | it confounds/confuses (me) | (me) interesa | it interests (me) |
| (me) desconcierta | it disconcerts (me) | (me) irrita | it irritates/exasperates (me) |
| (me) desespera | it discourages (me) | (me) molesta | it disturbs/bothers (me) |
| (me) disgusta | it disgusts/offends (me) | (me) motiva | it motivates (me) |
| (me) divierte | it amuses/diverts (me) | (me) pesa | (I) regret |
| (me) encanta | (I) like, love | (me) preocupa | it worries (me) |
| (me) enfurece | it enrages (me) | (me) satisface | it satisfies (me)/it suffices |
| (me) enoja | it angers/annoys (me) | (me) seduce | it tempts (me) |
| (me) enorgullece | it makes (me) proud | (me) sorprende | it surprises (me) |
| (me) entristece | it makes (me) sad |
