The challenge is to use various phrases followed by the subjunctive mood. (Beginners to the subjunctive are welcome.)

Question

Kiwi and Marianne have both indicated they will help with the corrections! Muchas gracias a mis amigas!

Rey_Mysterio has also indicated he will help correct, too! Una vez más, muchas gracias!

-- 1. The table includes a list of main clause phrases commonly associated with uncertainty or subjectivity.

-- 2. The verb that follows the phrase is in the subjunctive mood.

Note: The phrases in the table use the indicative. The verb that follows the phrase is in the subjunctive.

Examples:

Quiero que el chico coma más.
I want the boy to eat more.

A menos que tengas pasión en lo que haces, no vas a ser feliz.
Unless you have passion about what you're doing, you're not going to be happy.

No aprobarás a menos que estudies mucho.
You (informal) won't pass unless you study a lot.

The game:
-- Follow in sequence the number of the phrases 1-64.
-- Be sure and click newest.
-- Create your own sentence in both Spanish and English.
-- You may answer every twelve hours.
-- You may post one picture for fun!

I will do the first one.

-- 1. a menos que
Sus hijos leerán estos libros, a menos que desistan.
Their children will read these books, unless they give up.

Table of phrases, the verb following these phrases will be subjunctive

1.	a menos que	unless
2.	antes (de) que	before
3.	con tal (de) que	provided that
4.	cuando	when
5.	conviene que	it is advisable that
6.	después (de) que	after
7.	dudar que	to doubt that
8.	en caso de que	in case
9.	en cuanto	as soon as
10.	es aconsejable que	it's advisable that
11.	es bueno que	it's good that
12.	es difícil que	it's unlikely that
13.	es dudoso que	it is doubtful that
14.	es fácil que	it's likely that
15.	es fantástico que	it's fantastic that
16.	es importante que	it's important that
17.	es imposible que	it's impossible that
18.	es improbable que	it's unlikely that
19.	es incierto que	it's uncertain that
20.	es increíble que	it's incredible that
21.	es (una) lástima que	it's a pity that
22.	es malo que	it's bad that
23.	es mejor que	it's better that
24.	es menester que	it's necessary that
25.	es necesario que	it's necessary that
26.	esperar que	to wish that
27.	es posible que	it's possible that
28.	es preciso que	it's necessary that
29.	es preferible que	it's preferable that
30.	es probable que	it's probable that
31.	es raro que	it's rare that
32.	es ridículo que	it's ridiculous that
33.	estar contento que	to be happy that
34.	es terrible que	it's terrible that
35.	hasta que	until
36.	insistir en que	to insist that
37.	mandar que	to order that
38.	más vale que	it's better that
39.	mientras que	while
40.	negar que	to deny that
41.	no creer que	not to believe that
42.	no es cierto que	it's not certain that
43.	no estar convencido de que	to not be convinced that
44.	no estar seguro de que	to not be sure that
45.	no es verdad que	it's not true that
46.	no imaginarse que	to not imagine that
47.	no parecer que	to not seem that
48.	no pensar que	to not think that
49.	no suponer que	to not suppose that
50.	ojalá que	if only he would
51.	para que	in order that
52.	pedir que	to ask that
53.	preferir que	to prefer that
54.	prohibir que	to prohibit that
55.	puede ser que	it may be that
56.	querer que	to want that
57.	recomendar que	to recommend that
58.	rogar que	to plead that
59.	sentir que	to regret that
60.	sin que	without
61.	sugerir que	to suggest that
62.	tan pronto como	as soon as
63.	temer que	to fear that
64.	tener miedo de que	to be afraid that

This is not a complete list.

Please let me know if I have errors and typos. - bandit51jd, Aug 22, 2012

I know there is a shorter phrase list of what does not use the subjjuctive. I had not seen some of these phrases and thought they would be good to see. - bandit51jd, Aug 22, 2012

Very good, this is very useful. - diagonx, Aug 22, 2012

Hi bandit! Great exercise! Busy now but will be back to try :-) - 0095ca4c, Aug 22, 2012

Really a big help. Thanks. - katydew, Aug 23, 2012

I'm very grateful for your participation, Margherite y Katy! Muchas gracias! - bandit51jd, Aug 24, 2012

Nice game Bandit, excellent idea, well done! - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 26, 2012

Well, bandit, there's a typo in the very title. :) Beginner's -> Beginners (plural, not possessive) ;) - inkubzz, Aug 28, 2012

be careful with cuando peeps, it only takes the subjunctive if what follows is an anticipated event/action not a past or habitual one - - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 28, 2012

Thanks Kiwi and Marianne! You guys are awesome to volunteer! - 0095ca4c, Aug 29, 2012

I love this challenge - great practice on a difficult topic! Thank you. - pml222, Aug 30, 2012

I fixed the title per Inkbuzz and thank you all because we are over half done with the table! - bandit51jd, Aug 30, 2012

Thanks for the game Bandit! I have been enjoying getting to know the subjunctive in a fun way. - dsmithen, Sep 1, 2012

One of my goals was to learn the subjunctive in a simple, fun way. Your comment really means a lot to me! Muchas gracias! - bandit51jd, Sep 1, 2012

Answer 1

Los gansos dejan sus sorpresitas por doquier esperando a que alguien inocente se las encuentre.

Geese leave their little surprises everywhere waiting for someone innocent to stumble upon them.

Glad you are posting. Remember to click "Newest" to find the most recent post. The last one was no. 45. - katydew, Sep 3, 2012

Oh, thanks! I didn't catch the rules of the game! :) - LaPiedraAlegre, Sep 3, 2012

I'm still learning, but I think "them" refers to "surprises" so "encuentren" is better? - bandit51jd, Sep 4, 2012

I laughed and laughed when I saw this one! Our community has geese droppings everywhere! - bandit51jd, Sep 4, 2012

Haha, glad you like it! In this sentence, "encuentre" refers to "alguien," and it's reflexive to emphasize the finding being unintentional. We're in the same boat--I've still got lots to learn too! :) - LaPiedraAlegre, Sep 4, 2012

a que alguien se las encuentre - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 2

45

No es verdad que

No es verdad que recibiera cirugía plástica.

It's not true that she had plastic surgery.

Good use of "to have" using recibir in the subjunctive! Bien hecho! - bandit51jd, Sep 4, 2012

:-) - 0095ca4c, Sep 4, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 3

Number 38

Más vale que me digas toda la verdad.

It's better that you tell me the whole truth.

Muy bien hecho, Josh! - bandit51jd, Aug 30, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 4

35-Guardaré las maletas hasta que ella vuelva

I will guard the suitcases until she returns.

I've actually done that in an airport while my friend ran an errand. Bien hecho! - bandit51jd, Aug 30, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 5

31

Es raro que vaya a comer un bistec raro, ¡aunque muchos lo hacen hagan!

It's rare that I'll eat a raw steak, though many do!

sorry bandit...I must have been sleeping and missed your post. I'll do the next one :-) - 0095ca4c, Aug 30, 2012

You don't always need the subjunctive after "aunque." "Aunque muchos lo hacen." - --Mariana--, Aug 30, 2012

Muchas gracias, Mariana! - bandit51jd, Aug 30, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 6

30. Es probable que haga muy bien tiempo otra vez mañana aquí en el sur de España.

It is probable that the weather will be very good again tomorrow here in the south of Spain.

Here in the USA Tropical Storm Issac is being tracted. Bad weather. Another good use of the phrases and subjunctive. - bandit51jd, Aug 29, 2012

Issac is now classified as a hurricane. It has topped a levee that was in the process of being strengthed. Right now it's 8 feet high and flooded! - bandit51jd, Aug 29, 2012

Yes, those poor people in New Orleans and all around Louisiana - they haven't even recovered from the last one properly yet! - pml222, Aug 29, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 7

Es necesario que llegemos temprano así que no perdamos nuestros sillas.

We need to arrive early so that we don't lose our seats.

I think this is out of order! It was in order when I started but I was looking for an image! ;-/ - pml222, Aug 28, 2012

good job just missing a 'u' lleguemos - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 28, 2012

Kiwi, it looks like sometimes it is okay to use both subjunctives and sometimes it isn't? - bandit51jd, Aug 29, 2012

I agree! Great sentence, Pml222! - bandit51jd, Aug 29, 2012

....lleguemos temprano asi que no perdamos nuestras sillas - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 8

29- Es preferible que estés contenta que tengas mi corazón, cariño.

It's preferable that you're happy that you have my heart, darling.

.

Hola...I think you are a hopeless romantic :-) - 0095ca4c, Aug 28, 2012

:) Great example of showing two subjunctive verbs in the dependent clause! - bandit51jd, Aug 28, 2012

Hey guys, hate to be a party pooper but I reckon it should say - Es preferible que estés contenta que tienes mi corazón, cariño. I'd check with a native speaker but to me it's only the 'being happy' bit that's dependent. - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 28, 2012

I've been trying to find a native to confirm the use of two verbs in the dependent clause. I thought both were subjunctive, so I too hope a native might help us out. I'm looking for the references, too so I can study it out more. Thanks for your comment! - bandit51jd, Aug 29, 2012

kewl bananas :) - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 29, 2012

es preferible que quedes contenta y que tenags mi corazon, mi amor - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 9

28

El niño: ¡No quiero pusiera la mesa!

La Madre: Es preciso que lo hagas.

---

Child: I don't want to set the table!

Mother: Es preciso que lo hagas.

Tengo ganas de considerar esta frase un buen ejemplo:-) - Fidalgo, Aug 28, 2012

No quiero poner la mesa. You must follow a conjugated verb with the infinitive if there's no change of subject Bandit. Do you have a native speaker helping you with this thread? It's a great idea but there seem to be quite a few errors slipping through - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 28, 2012

no quiero poner la mesa. es necesario que la pongas - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 10

No creo que vaya a ser otra revolución Cubana.

I don´t think there´s going to be another Cuban Revolution.

Glad you are posting. Remember to click "Newest" to find the most recent post. The last one was no. 45 - katydew, Sep 3, 2012

Hola Luis. I don't think so either :-) - 0095ca4c, Sep 3, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 11

23

Es mejor que pruebes un poquito de este salsa piquante antes que yo.

It's better that you try a little of this hot sauce before me.

You've got the phrase, two subjunctives and a refexise! Impressive sentence! - bandit51jd, Aug 26, 2012

Since I am still learning I could be wrong, but I'm thinking the "you try" is in the future tense? If anyone can confirm, I can delete this comment if I"m wrong. - bandit51jd, Aug 26, 2012

Hola bandit! Pienso - Futuro = tu probarás y subjuntivo futuro = tu probares pero quízas no. - 0095ca4c, Aug 26, 2012

Sí, exactamente. Estaba pensando ¨tu probares¨ como te han sugerido. - bandit51jd, Aug 27, 2012

Oh I see now what you are getting at. When I first read your post, I thought you were saying that my first subjjunctive was incorrect and that I should have used just the future tense. Duh....Sometimes it takes a while. jejeje I see now that you think - 0095ca4c, Aug 27, 2012

the action of tasting should be 'in the future'. But, if I'm telling you to taste it before I do, isn't that the present tense? I'm requesting that you do something now. Is that plausible? - 0095ca4c, Aug 27, 2012

I think you could get around it by just changing the ending to antes que yo. :) - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 30, 2012

Marguerite you're right. For future we use the present subjunctive - there is no future subjunctive as such. - pml222, Aug 30, 2012

Hi KiWi-Girl! Did you mean 'antes de yo'? - pml222, Aug 30, 2012

thanks so much Kiwi-Girl and pml222! Your help is very much appreciated. - 0095ca4c, Aug 30, 2012

I'm so grateful you sent me that link! So in Spanish the future subjunctive is out and the present subjunctive is in. With that being the case I withdraw my original question but will not close it as we all learned! - bandit51jd, Aug 30, 2012

That is what makes this site great you guys. I love it. - 0095ca4c, Aug 30, 2012

Es mejor que pruebes un poquito de esta salsa picante antes de que yo la pruebe. - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 12

Espero que puedas venga a mi fiesta.

I hope that you can come to my party.

¡Muy bien dicho! - bandit51jd, Aug 25, 2012

que puedas venir - infinitive for the second verb ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 30, 2012

espero que puedas venir a mi fiesta - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 13

I left the party early, In case you're wondering.

Me fui de fiesta temprano, en caso de que usted se esté preguntando.

Those kitty´s had a rough party! Bien! - bandit51jd, Aug 23, 2012

Lol, they sure did! - rac1, Aug 23, 2012

de 'la' - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 30, 2012

me fui de la fiesta temprano, por si usted se pregunte - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 14

No estoy convencido/a de que él me diga la verdad.

I'm not sure he's telling me the truth.

Excellent use of convencer -- to convince, to be sure! #5 , conviene que, is a little different. It comes from "convenir", to agree, and can also be used "it is advisable that"! Bien! - bandit51jd, Aug 22, 2012

I thought only kids crossed their fingers behind their back! Adults do, too! - bandit51jd, Aug 22, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012

Answer 15

Debemos ir a la tienda antes de que llueva.

We must go to the store before it rains.

Yes! A good sentence for a common event! I'm not sure if the "la" before "tienda" is needed. I have a difficult time with those myself. - bandit51jd, Aug 22, 2012

Perfect. - --Mariana--, Aug 30, 2012

good - Rey_Mysterio, Sep 4, 2012