The Spanish Present Subjunctive is essential for expressing doubt, emotions, or uncertainty. For regular -er verbs, it follows a specific conjugation pattern distinct from -ar verbs. Let’s break down the rules and usage.
Conjugation Pattern: Simple Steps
- Start with the “yo” form of the present indicative.
- Drop the “-o” ending.
- Add the following endings:
| Person | Ending |
|---|---|
| Yo | -a |
| Tú | -as |
| Él/Ella/Usted | -a |
| Nosotros | -amos |
| Vosotros | -áis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | -an |
Example Conjugation: “comer” (to eat)
| Person | Present Subjunctive Form |
|---|---|
| Yo | coma |
| Tú | comas |
| Él/Ella/Usted | coma |
| Nosotros | comamos |
| Vosotros | comáis |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | coman |
More Examples:
- Beber (to drink): beba, bebas, beba, bebamos, bebáis, beban
- Aprender (to learn): aprenda, aprendas, aprenda, aprendamos, aprendáis, aprendan
- Vender (to sell): venda, vendas, venda, vendamos, vendáis, vendan
When to Use the Present Subjunctive for -er Verbs
- After expressions of doubt, emotion, or subjectivity:
- “Dudo que coma mucho.” (I doubt that he eats a lot.)
- “Espero que aprendas español.” (I hope that you learn Spanish.)
- In subordinate clauses introduced by “que”:
- “Quiero que bebas agua.” (I want you to drink water.)
- With impersonal expressions:
- “Es necesario que venda su casa.” (It’s necessary that he sells his house.)
Key Points to Remember
- Same Endings as -ir Verbs: The present subjunctive endings for -er verbs are identical to those for -ir verbs.
- Opposite of -ar Verbs: These endings differ from those of -ar verbs in the present subjunctive.
- “Nosotros” Form: The “nosotros” form in the present subjunctive is the same as in the present indicative.
- “Vosotros” Form: The “vosotros” form changes the “-éis” ending to “-áis” in the present subjunctive.
- Irregular Verbs: Some -er verbs have irregular conjugations in the present subjunctive.
Comparison with -ar Verbs
| -er Verb (comer) | -ar Verb (hablar) |
|---|---|
| coma | hable |
| comas | hables |
| coma | hable |
| comamos | hablemos |
| comáis | habléis |
| coman | hablen |
By understanding these rules and practicing regularly, you’ll gain confidence in using the present subjunctive with -er verbs in a variety of contexts.
Synonyms:
- English: Regular -ER Verbs in Present Subjunctive Mood, Subjunctive Present
- Spanish: Verbos Regulares en -ER en Presente De Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Modo Subjuntivo Presente