Learn how to form and use the presente de subjuntivo with regular -ar verbs like mandar (to send), including forms like mande, mandes, mandemos, and their use after expressions such as quiero que, dudo que, and ojalá.
  1. Verbs ending in -ar form the subjunctive with the stem + -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
  2. Verbs ending in -er/-ir form the subjunctive with the stem + -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
  3. It is used after expressions such as: quiero que, espero que, dudo que, ojalá.
Pronombre (Pronoun)Verbo: mandar (verb: to send)Ejemplo (Example)
YoMandeÉl quiere que yo mande la carta (He wants me to send the letter)
MandesEs importante que mandes un email. (It is important that you send an email.)
Él / EllaMandeQuiero que ella mande el mensaje. (I want her to send the message.)
Nosotros/asMandemosOjalá que mandemos el currículum a tiempo. (I hope that we send the CV on time.)
Vosotros/asMandéisEs raro que mandéis postales. (It is strange that you send postcards.)
Ellos/asMandenDudo que ellos manden la firma hoy. (I doubt that they send the signature today.)

 

Exceptions!

  1. Ser is irregular: sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean.

Exercise 1: El presente de subjuntivo: Los verbos regulares

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

recibamos, sea, recibas, envíe

1. Ser:
Deseo que ... un día productivo para todos.
(Deseo que sea un día productivo para todos.)
2. Ser (ella):
Es necesario que ... puntual para la reunión.
(Es necesario que sea puntual para la reunión.)
3. Enviar:
Dudo que él ... el email hoy.
(Dudo que él envíe el email hoy.)
4. Recibir (nosotros):
Ojalá que ... una respuesta rápida.
(Ojalá que recibamos una respuesta rápida.)
5. Ser:
Quiero que ella ... feliz con su decisión.
(Quiero que ella sea feliz con su decisión.)
6. Recibir (tú):
Espero que ... mi carta pronto.
(Espero que recibas mi carta pronto.)
7. Enviar (yo):
No creo que ... un mensaje tan tarde.
(No creo que envíe un mensaje tan tarde.)
8. Recibir (tú):
Me alegra que ... buenas noticias.
(Me alegra que recibas buenas noticias.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence that properly uses the present subjunctive in each block. Pay attention to the verb endings and the context to identify common mistakes.

1.
It is not correct to use 'mandes' with 'she'; the correct form is 'mande' for he/she in the subjunctive.
'Mandó' is in the preterite tense, not subjunctive; the subjunctive is needed here after 'I hope that'.
2.
The form 'mande' is for he/she; for 'we' it must be 'mandemos'.
'Mandamos' is indicative, not subjunctive; the subjunctive is required here after 'I doubt that'.
3.
'Mandas' is indicative; the subjunctive 'mandes' must be used after 'I want that'.
'Mande' corresponds to he/she; for 'you' it should be 'mandes'.
4.
'Mandasen' is the imperfect subjunctive; the present subjunctive is required according to the context and explanation.
'Manda' is indicative; the subjunctive is needed with 'hopefully that'.

The Present Subjunctive: Regular Verbs

This lesson focuses on the present subjunctive mood in Spanish, specifically using regular verbs ending in -ar. The present subjunctive is essential for expressing wishes, doubts, emotions, and hypothetical situations.

Conjugation Pattern

For regular -ar verbs like mandar (to send), the present subjunctive is formed by taking the verb stem and adding these endings: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.

Pronoun Verb: mandar Example
Yo mande Él quiere que yo mande la carta
mandes Es importante que mandes un email.
Él / Ella mande Quiero que ella mande el mensaje.
Nosotros/as mandemos Ojalá que mandemos el currículum a tiempo.
Vosotros/as mandéis Es raro que mandéis postales.
Ellos/as manden Dudo que ellos manden la firma hoy.

Usage of the Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive is used after expressions that convey desire, uncertainty, or emotion, such as:

  • quiero que (I want that)
  • espero que (I hope that)
  • dudo que (I doubt that)
  • ojalá (hopefully)

Note that verbs ending in -er and -ir form the present subjunctive with a different set of endings: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. For example, the verb comer (to eat) conjugates as coma, comas, coma, comamos, comáis, coman.

Irregular Verb Example

The verb ser is irregular in the present subjunctive and conjugates as: sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean.

Important Highlights

  • The present subjunctive differs from the indicative mood; it is not used for statements of fact but for subjective or uncertain situations.
  • Endings vary depending on verb endings (-ar vs -er/-ir).
  • Common trigger expressions like quiero que and ojalá are keys to using the subjunctive correctly.

Note on Differences Between English and Spanish

Unlike English, Spanish has a specific verb form to express wishes, doubts, or emotions through the subjunctive mood. In English, these are usually conveyed with modal verbs or different sentence structures, such as "I want you to send..." rather than changing the verb ending. For example, Spanish uses Espero que él mande la carta (I hope that he sends the letter), where mande is subjunctive. In English, the verb does not change form.

Useful phrases introducing the subjunctive:

  • Quiero que… – I want that…
  • Espero que… – I hope that…
  • Dudo que… – I doubt that…
  • Ojalá que… – Hopefully…

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