Subjunctive Mood in Spanish Sentences

present tense + que + present subjunctive

Subjunctive: used in a way that relates to how the speaker FEELS about something, or believed reality. (i.e. expresses doubt, feelings, wish, intent, or command) toward a possible action/state of being

Indicative: states what is real, facts, and declarations

(I want you to be not cold.) It's irrelevant whether the person is cold or not. The sentence expresses a wish, not reality.

I'm sorry you're cold.) The sentence expresses the speaker's emotions about a perceived reality. What is important in this sentence is the speaker's feelings, not whether the other person is cold.

I'm giving you my coat so you won't be cold. The sentence expresses the speaker's intent, not necessarily reality.

(People are allowed to wear jackets there.) The phrase expresses permission for an action to take place.

(Tell her to wear her jacket.) Expresses a command or wish of the speaker.

(Nobody is cold.) Expression of negationof the action in a subordinate clause.

(Perhaps he is cold.) This is an expression of doubt.

(If I were a rich man, I would play the fiddle.) This is an expression of a statement contrary to fact.

• It is impossible that it is leaving late.
• It is likely that it will leave late.

(I'm looking for a cheap car that works.)

• (I don't believe it's she.)
• The subjunctive is used in this example because the subordinate clause is negated by the main clause. Generally, the indicative is used with creer que or pensar que, (Creo que es ella) while the subjunctive is used with no creer que or no pensar que.

Subjunctive: Es bueno que tengas dinero. (It is good you have money.)

Subjunctive: Habla como si fuera experto. (He speaks as if he were expert.)

Subjunctive: Quizás lo puedan hacer. (Perhaps they can do it (but I doubt it.))

Subjunctive: ¿Hay políticos que tengan coraje? (Are there politicians with courage?)

Subjunctive: Llegaré aunque mi carro no funcione. (I will arrive even if my car isn't running.)