Debates and arguments

Give opinions and express wishes with the subjunctive

Goal: Express opinions, wishes and important ideas using the present subjunctive.

Context

Listen to the dialogue. Tap the speaker to hear each line.

Marta

Quiero que la ciudad tenga más áreas verdes.

I want the city to have more green areas.

Jorge

Sí, y espero que el gobierno escuche a los vecinos.

Yes, and I hope the government listens to the neighbors.

Marta

Es importante que todos participemos en la reunión.

It's important that we all participate in the meeting.

Jorge

También creo que es necesario que reduzcamos el tráfico.

I also think it's necessary that we reduce traffic.

Marta

Dudo que cambie algo si no actuamos pronto.

I doubt anything will change if we don't act soon.

Practice the dialogue

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Vocabulary

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opinar

Opino que esta es la mejor solución.

Followed by 'que' + subjunctive in opinion clauses.

to give an opinion

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el deseo

Mi deseo es que todos tengan paz.

Wishes trigger the subjunctive: 'quiero que', 'deseo que'.

the wish

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esperar

Espero que llegues bien.

'Espero que' + subjunctive. Don't use the present tense after it.

to hope

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dudar

Dudo que venga mañana.

'Dudo que' always takes the subjunctive.

to doubt

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es importante que

Es importante que estudies.

Impersonal opinion phrases like 'es importante que' trigger the subjunctive.

it's important that

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es necesario que

Es necesario que hables con ella.

Same rule as 'es importante que' — subjunctive follows.

it's necessary that

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creer que

Creo que es una buena idea.

'Creo que' takes the indicative. But 'no creo que' takes the subjunctive.

to think that

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proponer

Propongo que trabajemos en equipo.

Suggestions and proposals use the subjunctive: 'propongo que'.

to propose

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el debate

El debate fue muy interesante.

Useful for arguments: 'el debate', 'la discusión', 'el argumento'.

the debate

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de acuerdo

Estoy de acuerdo contigo.

To disagree: 'no estoy de acuerdo'.

agreed / in agreement

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Grammar in 1 minute

Wishes: quiero que / espero que

After verbs of wishing and hoping (querer, esperar, desear), use the present subjunctive in the subordinate clause, even if it's about the present or future.

Quiero que estudies más. / Espero que vengas a la fiesta.

There is always 'que' + subjunctive. Never 'quiero que estudias'.

Impersonal opinions: es importante que / es necesario que

Expressions like 'es importante que', 'es necesario que', 'es bueno que' take the subjunctive. They state an opinion, not a fact.

Es importante que todos participen. / Es necesario que reduzcamos el tráfico.

If the phrase states a fact about something you can verify, use the indicative. If it expresses a value or opinion, use the subjunctive.

Doubt and negation: dudo que / no creo que

Doubt and negated belief trigger the subjunctive: 'dudo que', 'no creo que'. Affirmative 'creo que' takes the indicative.

Dudo que cambie algo. / No creo que venga. / Creo que viene.

Watch the contrast: 'creo que viene' (indicative) vs 'no creo que venga' (subjunctive).

Interactive practice

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Complete with subjunctive

Write the present subjunctive form of the verb in parentheses.

writing

Tip: For -ar verbs, subjunctive uses -e endings: hablar → hables, hable, hablemos.

Espero que mañana. (venir)

Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.

Match trigger to form

Connect each phrase with whether it takes subjunctive or indicative.

reading

Tip: Wishes, doubts and negations = subjunctive. Certainty = indicative.

What does she want?

Listen and choose what the speaker wants.

listening

Tip: Listen for 'quiero que' — what follows is the wish.

What does she want?

Es importante que

Write the correct subjunctive form of 'participar'.

writing

Tip: 'Nosotros' subjunctive of -ar verbs ends in -emos: participemos.

Es importante que todos en la reunión. (participar)

Accents optional: write "como estas" and it works.

Repeat the opinion

Listen, pause and repeat the sentence with natural intonation.

speaking

Tip: Stress 'importante' and pause slightly before 'que' to sound persuasive.

Es importante que todos participemos en la reunión.

It's important that we all participate in the meeting.

Listen, pause and repeat out loud. Repeat 3 times until it sounds natural.

Great. Repeat tomorrow to lock it in.

Pronunciation trainer

Write a wish

Write a Spanish sentence starting with 'Quiero que' plus a wish.

writing

Tip: Structure: Quiero que + subjunctive. Example: 'Quiero que tengas un buen día.'

Write a Spanish sentence using 'Quiero que' to express a wish.

Suggested answer: Quiero que tengas un buen día.

Opinion or wish?

Listen and choose what the speaker is doing.

listening

Tip: 'Espero que' signals a hope. 'Es necesario que' signals a requirement or opinion.

What is the speaker doing?

Write an opinion

Write a sentence using 'es necesario que'.

writing

Tip: Follow 'es necesario que' with the subjunctive: 'Es necesario que hables.'

Write a Spanish sentence using 'es necesario que'.

Suggested answer: Es necesario que hables con ella.

Final quiz

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