what is the subjunctive and how do you use it?

Question

in all parts, im really confused on to know when to use it and how to use it!?

Answer 1

Hi Holly, Wow, that is a huge topic! There are several lessons here that can help. Or, if you prefer to see things written down, I highly recommend a book called The Spanish Subjunctive Up Close by Eric Vogt.

Then if you are having trouble, please let us know exactly what you don´t understand...

Answer 2

una lata de gusanos

Answer 3

hello and welcome to the forum!

That's a really huge question you have asked, and it really doesn't have a simple answer.

Generally speaking, the subjunctive is used in subordinate clauses. That means that there is a main clause in the sentence...this main clause must fulfill certain criteria in order for the subjunctive to be used in the subordinate (or dependent) clause.

Very generally speaking, the main clause must establish doubt, denial, disbelief, non existence, emotion, a certain type of "maybe yes or maybe no" situation, demanding, ordering or - when talking about sequence of events - something that has not happened yet or does not usually happen or may not happen.

I know that's a lot to digest!

Here are a couple of basic examples: "I doubt that he knows it." - "Dudo que lo sepa". In the first clause you have doubt, so the second clause must be in subjunctive. " I demand that you tell me" - "Exijo que me lo digas" - in the main clause you have demanding so the subordinate clause is in the subjunctive. "He will see you before you leave" - "Te verá antes de que salgas" - Here you have a sequence of events that has not yet occurred.

I am positive that there are some excellent links on this site for you to use; I have not used the grammatical links here, so I can't help you with any specific link.

I hope this has helped, at least a little bit!