GRAMMAR

When you want to talk about a hypothetical situation, express a wish, a demand or a suggestion, you use the Subjunctive Mood.

It is a verb form as follow:

Hypothetical situation

Examples:

I would study a lot tonight if I were you.(1)

(1) El verbo "were" se usa con todos los pronombres al usar el (Subjunctive Mood) al usar el condicional "if"

A wish, demand, or suggestion.

Examples:

They demand he lower the volume of his stereo.(2)

(2) Usualmente se coloca una "s", "es" al final del verbo después de los pronombres (he, she, it) pero al usar el (subjunctive Mood), se rompe esa regla gramatical.

More examples:

1. If I were you, I would go.

It is a hypothetical situation.

2. They wish it were unreal.

It expresses a wish.

3. It is a request that the match being at once.

It expresses a demand.

4. The boss proposes he work part time.

It expresses a sugestion.

Differences of Indicative, imperative and subjunctive

1. INDICATIVE MOOD: States facts or asks.

Fact Question
He is working in a hotel. Is he working in a hotel?

2. IMPERATIVE MOOD: Expresses a command or a polite request.

Command Request
Clean the house! Please bring me some snacks.

3. SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD: Show a wish or doubt.

Wish Doubt
I suggest that Carlos go to Charleston University If I were Kevin, I would study French.

The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood.

  • - ask
  • - command
  • - demand
  • - insist
  • - order
  • - recommend
  • - suggest
  • - wish