Today's Subjunctive Verb is from "Leer" - 'to read'
The subjunctive is used to express the same three basic ideas in both the Present and Imperfect Subjunctives. Whenever the main clause expresses any of the three, the second (subordinate) clause has to be in the subjunctive. When one person expresses his will that someone else do something..even inferred indirectly. Les pido que no las abran. I’m asking you not to open them. Insisten en que bailemos. They insist that we dance. Es lástima que no pueda venir. It’s a pitty that she can’t come. I suggest that she come at once. Sugiero que venga en seguida. I suggested that she come at once. Sugíri que viniera en seguida. They demand that we be there on time. Exijian que estemos allí a tiempo. They demanded that we be there on time. Exigieron que estuviéramos allí a tiempo.
After expressions of emotion, or if hope is implied. May the New Year bring you joy. Que el año nuevo le traiga alegría. May God be with you and keep you. Que Dios esté contigo y le guarde.
When the subjunctive involves unreality, something indefinite, uncertain, or contrary to fact: It is possible that he may not come. Es possible que no venga. It was possible that he might not come. Era possible que no viniera. If I were you, I’d read this carefully. Si yo fuera Ud. leería esto con cuidado.
When the main clause expresses doubt, denial, or unreality. ¿Es possible que valga tanto? Is it possible that it’s worth so much? Niega que se lo hayan dado. He denies that they have given it to them.
When the conjunction that introduces the subordinate clause makes the action uncertain, indefinite, doutful. En caso de que lo veas…. In case yousee him… No se lo diremos a menos que insistan. We will not tell them it unless they insist. Aunque quiera ayudarme, no la dejaré. Even if she wants to help me, I will not let her. Aunque quisiera ayudarme, no la dejaría. Even if she wanted to help me, I would not let her. Yo iré con tal que tú vayas también. I will go if you will go too.
A conjunction of time introduces an action that has not yet been completed (uncompleted). Cuándo suene el timbre, abra la puerta. When the doorbell rings, open the door. Así ue lluegen, iremos. As soon as they arrive, we will go.
When a subordinate clause refers to something that is indefinite, hypothetical, or non-existent. No hay nadie que baile como ella. There is no one who dances like her. Busco un libro que tenga todas las respuestas. I’m looking for a book with all the answers.
The word (si) is used in the present indicative to indicate a possitive assumption unless the speakers intent is to refer to something contrary to fact. A sure giveaway is when the conditional (contrary to fact) is used in the main clause with (si)... The imperfect subjunctice + conditional.Si tuviera tiempo (but I don’t), lo haría. Or… Lo haría, si tuviera tiempo. I would do it , if I had time. Si yo reinara…If I were to rule (but I’m not going to)…… Si yo hablara…If I were to speak (but I’m not going to)….followed by conditional.
Main clause expresses doubt or uncertainty about the following action, or denies that it ever took place. Dudo que vengan. I doubt that they will come. Dudaba que vinieran. I doubted that they came. No estoy seguro de que esté abierto. I’m not sure that its open. No estaba seguro de que estuviera abierto. I was not sure that it was open.
Some impersonal expressions are always (100%) followed by the subjunctive. Es possible/es impossible que… Es probable/es improbable que… No es verdad/No es cierto que… Es fácil (likely)/es difícil (unlikely) que… Antes de que (before)…
Some verbs and expressions depend upon the speakers intent. Depués de que vino, fiumos a comer. After he came we went to eat.
Después de que venga, iremos a comer. After he arrives (he hasn’t yet) we will go to eat.
If the subject doesn’t change, then we only have one clause and no subjunctive. Espero venir. I hope to come. Me alegro de estar con Uds. I’m happy to be with you all.
I will give you todays verb. You give me …a present subjunctive sentence usage. Les daré el verbo de hoy. Uds. me darán.. .un presentar uso de frase de subjuntivo. Ex. Casarse;- Cuando se casen, vivirán en la ciudad. When they marry, they will live in the city.
El verbo subjuntivo de hoy viene de – “Leer “- “to read”. Todays subjunctive verb comes from ******Leer "******to read–
Escríbamela en inglés y español...por favor. Write it for me in English and Spanish please. ¡Incluyan caudros/dibujos…cuando los prefieran! Include pictures/drawings…when you prefer them!
“Leer” “to read”
12 Answers
Leas lo que leas, léelo quietamente.
Whatever you read, read it quietly.
Dudo que los estudiantes lean el libro antes de la clase.
I doubt the students read the book before class.
Espero que, en el futuro, todavía la gente lea. No quiero que la televisión y el Internet reemplacen los libros totalmente.
I hope that, in the future, people still read. I don't want television and the Internet to replace books completely.
Ayer deseara deseaba que leyeras pudiera leer mi mente.
Yesterday I was wishing that you were reading my mind.
Me gustaría que leyerais lo que he puesto en Tumblr.
I would like you all to read what I've put up on Tumblr.
Como puedes imaginar, mi marido no lee novelas románticas, pero en septiembre, cuando vayamos de vacaciónes es posible que lea una autobiografía.
As you can imagine, my husband doesn't read romantic novels , but in September, when we go on holiday, he might read an autobiography.
Espero que hayas leído la letra menuda.
I hope you have read the small print.
Espero que leyeras más o menos un libro por mes.
I hope that you will read at least a book a month.
Dudo que leas todas letras pequeñas.
I doubt that you read all the fine print.
Cuando leas, no hagas más nada, solo leer.
Don't do anything else when you're reading, just read.
Esperé que lo hayan leído para sabado.
I hoped that they will have read it by Saturday.
************Comments*************
Veijito.. you write about the 'three basic ideas' that the subjunctive expresses. What exactly are the 3? - yahvey_hoffm 40 mins ago flag
First concept – “Indirect or Implied commands
Second concept – “emotion”
Third concept – “Unreality”…Whenever the subjunctive is placed under the cloak of “unreality”….whenever a positive existence is denied or doubted…or an expression of uncertainty is made manifest….”you have the subjunctive”
What I did in my thread…was to offer a broader understanding… which encompasses these three concepts.
? Viejito
Llámame duspués de que leas mi "Querida Juan" carta.
Call me after you read my "Dear John" letter.
