Spanish Subjunctive Mood

Quick Answer

The Spanish subjunctive mood (el subjuntivo) is used to talk about wishes, emotions, requests, and unreal or hypothetical situations.

The subjunctive is one of three moods in Spanish (the other two are the indicative and the imperative).

Looking for information on the differences between the indicative and the subjunctive? Check out our article here!

We use the subjunctive mood in Spanish to talk about something impossible, hypothetical, uncertain, or wishful. Check out examples of the subjunctive used in each of the tenses below!

1. Present

Present tenses used in the subjunctive mood include the present subjunctive and the present perfect subjunctive.

examples
Ojalá que tu hermanito se mejore pronto. Let's hope your little brother gets well soon.
Dudo que Elena haya estudiado para el examen. I doubt Elena has studied for the test.

2. Past

Past tenses used in the subjunctive mood include the imperfect subjunctive and the past perfect subjunctive.

examples
No conocía a nadie que viviera en Montevideo. I didn’t know anyone who lived in Montevideo.
Si hubiéramos llegado a tiempo, habríamos visto a Clara. If we had arrived on time, we would have seen Clara.

3. Future

Future tenses used in the subjunctive mood include the future subjunctive and the future perfect subjunctive, which are rarely used in modern Spanish.

examples
El que violare la ley será encarcelado. He who breaks the law will be incarcerated.
Los asuntos que se hubiere acordado tramitar por el procedimiento de urgencia tendrán prioridad. Priority will be given to those matters that fall under the emergency procedures provision.