A good method for using the Subjuntive!

Question

I just thought of a good way to help me know when to use the subjunctive in Spanish!

For English speakers, we tend not to know when we use the subjunctive because of the way we phrase our speech. There's actually something in our speech that we use a lot which shows how we use it. "For + object pronoun + infinite verb". This works best when using sentences that are said with the goal of influencing someone to do something (or not do something), hoping for something to happen or suggesting how something should be.

For example:

I want for you to go to the store.

Quiero que vayas a la tienda.

Mom said for us to wash the dishes.

Mamá dijo que lavemos los platos.

It's best for him to take his medicine.

Es mejor que tome su medicamento.

It's prohibited for you to have pets in this building.

Se prohíbe que tengas mascotas en este edificio.

Allow for me to check the homework.

Permita que compruebe la tarea.

The teacher demands for us to listen.

El profesor manda que escuchemos.

Did this help you guys?

I think this is a good device, and for English speakers it is a help. - Jubilado, Apr 8, 2016

Answer 1

Yes, very useful, but in your first English sentence the "for" is redundant " I want for you to go to the store".....should be "I want you to go to the store"

the "for" can easily be eliminated, however, many people still say it anyway.:) - cmusba, Apr 8, 2016

Hi margarita is correct , the " for " is superfluous and not commonly used in that way in spoken English . - ray76, Apr 11, 2016

Answer 2

I like that, cmusba. As for the "for," Margarita, you are correct that it is not necessary, but it is correct. I think his point was that if you can say it in English with "for," that means you use the subjunctive in Spanish. More a learning trick than a grammar lesson.

I think "that" would work as well - "I want that you go to the store."

That is exactly what I would have said. :) - bosquederoble, Apr 8, 2016

This about "that" is what I show my students. - Daniela2041, Apr 8, 2016

I agree, that would be better and would explain the use of "que" but I like using "for" because it implies more of a sense of influence for me :) - cmusba, Apr 8, 2016

Whichever you use, it is a good memory trick that I had not thought of. Thanks! - Winkfish, Apr 8, 2016

muchas gracias - cmusba, Apr 8, 2016

Answer 3

Great post, cmusba!

gracias! - cmusba, Apr 8, 2016

Answer 4

I am sorry to have to disagree with some of you. The use of "for" or "that" in the first example, is not normal usage in standard English. It sounds really clumsy, and I suspect it is an Americanism! I have certainly heard it in American films, but I repeat, it is not a normal British English way of a sentence construction.

There's always someone... just kidding. I know the first example isn't used on your side of the pond, but like I said, this is a way that helps me so take it or leave it :v - cmusba, Apr 9, 2016