Present Subjunctive in Spanish

In terms of time, we use the present subjunctive when the main verb (in the independent clause) is in the present, future, present perfect or imperative tense and the subjunctive verb (in the dependent clause) refers to an action that takes place at the same time as or after the main verb.

Forming the Spanish present subjunctive

Below you can find the basic rules of forming the present subjunctive. Like any grammatical "rule", there are exceptions and irregularities, but we'll get to those later. In the meantime, get a grasp on the general rules:

• Conjugate the verb into the first person singular form (yo)
• escuchar --> escucho
• comer --> como
• escribir --> escribo

• Drop the -o ending
• escucho --> escuch_
• como --> com_
• escribo --> escrib_

• Add the opposite endings

• -AR VERBS	"opposite endings"	example: escuchar
  yo	-e	escuche
  tú	-es	escuches
  él, ella	-e	escuche
  nosotros/as	-emos	escuchemos
  vosotros/as	-éis	escuchéis
  ellos, ellas	-en	escuchen

• -ER & -IR VERBS	"opposite endings"	example: comer example: escribir
  yo	-a	coma escriba
  tú	-as	comas escribas
  él, ella	-a	coma escriba
  nosotros/as	-amos	comamos escribamos
  vosotros/as	-áis	comáis escribáis
  ellos, ellas	-an	coman escriban

Using the Spanish present subjunctive

Like we said at the beginning of the page, the present subjunctive is used when:

• the verb in the independent clause is in the present, future, present perfect or imperative tense
• the dependent / subjunctive verb refers to an action that takes place at the same time as or after the action of the main verb

Aside from the time issue, take a look at the following table to learn about when to use the subjunctive