Subjuntivos Help

Question

I need help with understanding WHEN to use subjuntivos. When are they necessary? Please don't give me help pages from Spanishdict or any other site.. I want something simple and quick to go by. To be honest, I didn't even know much about subjuntivos in english. o_o

Who can help?

This is one of the harder concepts in Spanish to 'get'. A simple answer would not help. - katydew, Nov 3, 2011

There is NO quick and easy way to learn or to understand the subjunctive. Its going to take time, review and practice! - drvicente, Nov 3, 2011

Answer 1

The very easiest way to learn this is the two relevant video lessons here.

The ones you want are 2.15 and 3.1.

Please don't ask for help and tie my hands regarding the best way to help. Simple questions don't necessarily imply simple answers, unless you insist on being simple-minded.

Great answer, Pesta :) - Izanoni1, Nov 3, 2011

Answer 2

Entire books have been written over the use of the subjunctive. "Quick" and "easy" are two adjectives that are not likely to go hand in hand with a full exposition of the use and meaning of the subjunctive mood.

I would caution you to be careful of quick fixes such as the W.I.E.R.D.O. acronym and others, as strictly adhering to such pseudo-rules is often overly simplistic and fraught with pitfalls and exceptions.

The shortest explanation that I can give is to say that we typically use the subjunctive when a clause deals with hypothetical or contrary-to-fact statements or when the statement being made is non-declarative in nature. Without at least a bit of careful thought and study on your part, however, it is unlikely that such explanations will do you much good.

Other than this, the only simple and easy solution that I know in regards to using the subjunctive is to go with what "feels" or "sounds" right. Of course without hours upon hours of previous exposure to the language, you are not likely to have developed any sort of intuitive understanding of how to use the language.