Hola mis queridos lectores, If you’ve reached the advanced stage of learning Spanish, you’ve probably encountered the elusive and mysterious realm of the subjunctive and probably is driving you nuts, right? Don’t worry,  I’ve got your back! In this blog post, we’re going to take a deep dive into the subjunctive mood, demystify its rules, and equip you with the tools to conquer it with confidence. Get ready to unleash the power of the subjunctive and take your Spanish skills to the next level!

Breaking Down the Subjunctive Beast

Let’s kick things off by understanding what the subjunctive actually is. Simply put, it’s a mood used to express uncertainty, doubt, desires, possibilities, and hypothetical situations. Sounds simple, right? Once you grasp its basic principles, you’ll be able to wield the subjunctive like a linguistic ninja. Remember, it’s not as scary as it seems!

The Mighty Subjunctive Rules

Now, let’s jump into the nitty-gritty of the subjunctive rules. We won’t overwhelm you with all the intricacies, but I’ll cover the essentials. The subjunctive is triggered by certain expressions, such as wishes (Ojalá,Deseo que, espero que, quiero que) recommendations (te recomiendo que), doubts (Always nevgative ones as “No creo que,no pienso que, no estoy seguro/a que) and emotions (me gusta que, me enoja que,disfruto que). When the main clause expresses wishes,influence, doubt, etc. the subjunctive comes into play in the subordinate clause, or in simple words after the “que”. Keep your eyes open for those trigger words Like “que”, and you’ll be well on your way to subjunctive mastery!

Taming the Subjunctive Beast: Practice Makes Perfect

To truly conquer the subjunctive, practice is key! Familiarize yourself with common phrases and verbs that often require the subjunctive mood. Take the time to expose yourself to authentic Spanish content, like books, movies, and music, which will help you internalize the subjunctive naturally. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and mastering the subjunctive takes time and dedication. Stay consistent, and you’ll soon see progress.

Here a text to practice

Querida amiga
Espero que tú (estar)…………… muy bien y que todo (ir)………. Bien en la universidad. Yo ya estoy en
México y he visto algunas cosas muy diferentes. Por ejemplo, es muy interesante que los mexicanos,
especialmente en las comunidades rurales, (celebrar) ………………. Con una fiesta el primero de noviembre,
el Día de los Muertos. Ma parece muy raro que las personas (ir) …………….. a los cementerios vestidas de
fiesta. Pero aunque es raro me gusta que los mexicanos (Cantar)………………, (bailar)………………. e
incluso (comer) ……………. En los cementerios. También es muy extraño que a los niños se les (regalar)
……………… calaveras de azúcar, o esqueletos y huesos de plástico de diferentes colores. Pero además,
aquí es normal que las personas mayores les (dar)…………….. esqueletos y calaveras de dulce o pan a sus
amigos y familiares. Para algunos mexicanos es importante que ( haber) …….. un altar para los muertos en
su casa ya que creen que cada año, el primero de noviembre , los muertos vuelven para visitar a sus
familiares. Por eso, es necesario que las familias (preparar) …………… … la comida favorita de los muertos y
(tomar) ………… su bebida predilecta. He tomado muchas fotos que te enseñaré cuando (volver)……………
pero creo que es mejor que tu (venir) ………………. A este país. Estoy seguro que te encantará.

Ah si solo (Estar)……………….. aqui, nos divertiriamos mucho

Espero que mi carta te (alegrar)………………………………. el día.

Un abrazo
Miguel

“The subjunctive may seem like a formidable beast, but don’t be discouraged. Embrace the challenge, practice with passion, and watch your mastery of Spanish bloom!”

Mnemonic Magic: Tricks to Remember the Subjunctive

Let’s be honest, learning verb conjugations and irregularities can be daunting. That’s why I’ve got some mnemonic tricks up our sleeves to make things easier. Create catchy rhymes, silly sentences, or colorful visuals that associate with certain conjugations. For example, “Espero que tú sepas” (I hope you know) can be remembered with the phrase “Espero que tú sepas, como la sopa de fresas” (I hope you know, like strawberry soup). Get creative, and let your imagination run wild!

Another good advice is to get your headphones on and listen music. Spanish music contain a lot of Subjuntive mood. Here a playlist with songs that contain a lot of Subjunctive

Embracing the Subjunctive Journey

Congratulations, my friend! You’ve made it this far, which means you’re well on your way to subjunctive greatness. Embrace the subjunctive as an exciting linguistic challenge rather than a burden. Remember, even native speakers sometimes stumble with it! Yes, we me make a lot of mistakes of Subjunctive. a lot! Keep practicing, engaging in conversations, and celebrating your progress. Soon enough, the subjunctive will become second nature, and you’ll wield it effortlessly in your Spanish conversations. ¡Viva el subjuntivo!

So, my fellow language warriors, go forth with confidence, armed with your newfound knowledge of the subjunctive. Remember, every mistake is a stepping stone towards fluency. Embrace the journey, enjoy the process, and don’t forget to have fun along the way! ¡Adelante, amigos!

See you in the next enty, leave me a coment with your questions and i will be happy to answer it

hasta pronto

Alex