G A M E - The Subjunctive
Yes it's time to tackle the big one! The subjunctive:
Just like the previous 'Por vs Para' and 'Preterite vs Imperfect' games, this is how you play:
I will start the game off with a sentence that I feel needs the subjunctive:
The next person's entry should look like this:
Given: restate the given English sentence
Translated: translate it into Spanish
Reason: state the reason why (or why you did not) use the subjunctive
New: give a sentence of your own (in English) that you feel needs the subjunctive
Remember that often the sentence will be correct whether you use the indicative or the subjunctive - the important thing is to understand what exactly you are conveying when you choose to use the subjunctive over the indicative:
Quizás participamos en el espectáculo. Perhaps we'll take part in the show. [Indic.: probable]
Quizás participemos en el espectáculo. Perhaps we'll take part in the show. [Subj.: doubtful]
There are lots of rules and guides around regarding the subjunctive which will definitely help you to lay the groundwork for when and when not to use it. Here's one reference article that provides some such information.
About.com A reference article regarding the subjunctive
If you're just new to using the subjunctive the following statement may not make much sense to you but the further along you go in understanding it's use, a helpful grammarian suggests - "try to think of using the subjunctive at times
when you don't want to specifically make any declaration.
HOT TIPS RE THE SUBJUNCTIVE:
Practice with [ past tense (main verb) + imperfect subjunctive], which always works.
The present subjunctive is mainly used when the main verb is in present, future or imperative. For all other tenses (6 of them), imperfect subjunctive is normally used instead.
Si (except in very rare cases) is never followed by the present subjunctive.
Si (if) makes assumption what follows to be true.
Uncertainty does not imply subjunctive
Given Sentence:
She looks as if she had never broken a plate in her life.
*(Equivalent I think to our: 'She looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth.')
369 Answers
Hi guys, as Coffee doesn't seem to be around much any more I'll do my best to help with corrections when I can but I will say "caveat emptor" jeje - I'm still learning too and definitely not infallible on the subject of the subjunctive - Kiwi Girl
Hello there!
I am your moderator for this interesting and endless thread 
Let's have fun while we learn
Thank you for participating!
Si tuviera una galleta, me la comería.
The (si) expresses doubt which triggers the subjunctive. Comería is the conditional tense because it is dependent (conditional) on having the biscuit.
New sentence: I had hoped to someday be successful but I fear that it won't happen.
Given Sentence:
If I had known it was going to rain, I would have brought my umbrella.
Si hubiera sabido que iba a llover, me habría traído mi paraguas.
I used the subjunctive, again, because this sentence is expressing a feeling about an action that would've been
New Sentence:
My dad speaks to me as if I were a child.
Given: I'm sorry that you can't come to the party.
Translated: Lamento que no puedas venir a la fiesta.
Reason: Subjuntive after "lamento que"
New Sentence: It's important that you finish your homework.
Given: I wanted to go to the soccer game but my wife thought going to the movies was a better idea
Translated: Quería ir al partido de fútbol pero mi esposa pensó que sería mejor que fueramos a ver una película.
Reason: I'm pretty sure that I could have used either thing here. If you had actually gone to the movies than I would have used preterito but it says nothing of the sort.
New: I wish that I could meet a man who has buckets of money.
Given: She looks as if she had never broken a plate in her life.
Translated: Ella se ve como si nunca hubiera roto un plato en su vida.
Reason: imperfect subjunctive used due to impersonal observation (the "I" in WEIRDO)
New: I wonder what game we will play next time.
Sentence: Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.
Translation: Tal vez llueva mañana o a lo mejor llueve mañana.
Reason: After "Tal vez" it is usual to put the subjunctive, I put the other one because it's something that I've been hearing quite a lot and I notice that the subjunctive never follows "a lo mejor".
New sentence: I felt there was something missing in my life until my son was born.
Given -- I don't think that it will rain this weekend.
Translated -- No creo que llueva este fin de semana.
Reason -- Subjunctive is used to express the doubt that it will rain. Although it's an expression of something that may/may not happen in the future, the present subjunctive form is used.
New -- Try my new soup. I hope that you like it as much as I do.
Given:
In this case, grandmother was right but much of the time I don't think she was in her right mind.
Translated:
En este caso abuelita tuvo razon, pero por el mayor parte del tiempo no creo que ella estuviera en su sano juicio.
Reason:
to be in your right mind is estar en su sano juicio but as you didn't believe it the subjunctive is used.
creo que = indicative no creo que = subjunctive
New Sentence:
It's fantastic that we get to go home early.
(sorry about the get to go bit too 
)
Given:
Try my new soup. I hope that you like it as much as I do.
Translated:
Prueba mi nueva sopa. Espero que te guste [a ti] tanto como a mí
Reason:
'te guste' the subjunctive shows that although I hope you will like it as much as me, I'm not sure
New Sentence:
We will go to the beach even if it is cold.
Given: He is surprised that we live like that.
Translation: Está sorprendido de que vivamos así.
Reason: Emotion + de que = subjunctive?
New Sentence: I wish that I were taller.
Given: I'm warning you, speeding can easily cost you your driving licence!
Translated: Te advierto, avanzar rápidamente pueda sacrificar tu permiso de manejar.
Reason: Its a suggestion, a "warning," or in reality, an want that this person not speed.
New: I want you to stay home, at least until all of your homework is completely done and over with!
Given: The world would be a better place if only there were more people like you.
Attempt: Ojalá ,que mejor sea el mundo si habría más gente como tu.//
Improved version thanks to Kiwi: El mundo sería un mejor lugar si hubiera más personas como tu.
Reasoning: Ojalá, that I could reason. I'm travelling in a sea of fog and navigating by the stars. Kiwis better reasoning can be seen below, many thanks, Kiwi.
New sentence: Oh, if only I knew where I was.
Given: The authority said that it's forbidden to address an opponent's black player by the n-word.
Translation: La autoridad dijo que se prohíba dirigirse a una persona negra de oponente por la palabra "n."
Reason: Hmm...quite honestly I think the Subjunctive would be used because its an expectation of the players not to use the "n" word during a game.
New: If I lived on Hollywood Boulevard, I would try and meet as many celebreties as possible.
P.S. I'm a beginner at the subjunctive; crticism is encouraged. 
Given: I'll cook you any meal that you want me to.
Trasnalted: Cocinaré cualquier comida que quieras.
Reason: We are not declaring that you indeed want a meal, therefore calling for the subjunctive.
New: When you get home, remember to turn off the lights.
