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#331 – Emotions and other statements with the subjunctive

Corporate Spanish Trainer

Emotions and other statements with the subjunctive

Es bueno que comas zanahorias

 

Post 331/365
Es martes el 20 de febrero de 2018

 

Hola,

Esta semana vamos a aprender los usos del subjuntivo.

La semana pasada hicimos mucho para aprender las conjugaciones:

*stem-changing verbs,-presente de subjuntivo

*z-cz, g-j, yo form irregular – presente de subjuntivo

*dar, ur, ser, estar, saber y hay – presente de subjuntivo

 

How to know when to use the Subjunctive in Spanish

 

Repaso
1.  As we learned how to conjugate the subjunctive tense, we practiced with the following:

a. A verb like querer, esperar, ojalá o preferir in the first clause

b. The 2 clauses separated with the word ‘que’

c. A change of subject in the second clause with this verb in the subjunctive

 

Ejemplos:

1. Quieren que vayamos con ellos. – They want us to go with them.

2. Espero que estés bien. – I hope you are well.

3. Ojalá que no haga frío. – I hope it’s not cold. (the weather)

4. ¿Prefieres que yo los llame? – Do you prefer that I call them?

Note: if the subject does not change, there is no need for ‘que‘ or the subjunctive. Just use an infinitive after the main verb.

Ellos quieren ir. – They want to go.
Espero hablar con ellos. – I hope to talk with them.
¿Prefieres llamar? – Do you prefer to call?

 

 

2. Here is a new use for us

With emotions such as:
estar contento de que – to be happy that…
alegrarse de que– to be glad that…
temer que – to fear that..
sentir que – to be sorry that…

Ejemplos:

1. Ellos están muy contentos de que regreses en junio. – They are really happy that you’re coming back in June.

2. Héctor se alegra de que cocines arroz con frijoles negros. – Hector is glad you’re cooking black beans and rice.

3. Tememos que no lleguen hasta las 7:00pm. – We’re afraid they won’t arrive till 7:00pm

4. Siento que no vengan. – I’m sorry they’re not coming.

 

Práctica: Translation

I’m happy that you’re happy.

We’re glad (that) they like nachos.

I’m afraid (that) s/he smokes.

They’re sorry (that) you don’t watch the show. (el programa)

 

3. Here’s another new use for us

Statements such as:

Es bueno que – It’s good that…
Es malo que – It’s bad that…
Es mejor que – It’s better that…

Es necesario que – it’s necessary that…
Es (im)posible que – It’s (im)possilbe that…
Es lástima que – It’s a shame that…

Ejemplos:

1. Para jugar al basquetbol, es mejor que sea alto. – …it’s better to be tall.

2. Es bueno que nieve / esté nevando. – It’s good that it’s snowing.

3. Es malo que beba tanto. – It’s bad that s/he drinks so much.

4. Es necesario que firme su nombre en la equís. – It’s necessary that you sign on the X.

5. Es lástima que no te sientas bien. – It’s too bad you don’t feel good.

 

Práctica: Translation

It’s good that you’re here.

It’s impossible that they’re leaving.

It’s a shame that we’re not going to Machu Picchu.

It’s better that you eat vegetables.

Action steps: Notice how these 2 new uses still require the word ‘que’ and a ‘change of subject’. These are sparks for the subjunctive.
Also notice how these are subjective thoughts: It’s snowing’ vs. It’s good that it’s snowing.

Come back tomorrow for more Subjunctive fun!

Gracias y hasta mañana,
Carolina

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