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Subjuntivo: Noun Clauses

Why do you want to know this?

The subjunctive in noun clauses is widely used. You want to practice how and when to use it so you can be more accurate when expressing wishes, emotions, doubts, hypotheticals, etc.

1. Noun clauses

Noun clauses are clauses that function like a noun. Consider this sentence:

  • I demand a car! (What do I demand? A car) 
  • I demand that you respect me! (What do I demand? That you respect me)

“That you respect me” is functioning like a noun! So in our trencito chuchú it would look like this: 

 

2. What triggers the subjunctive?  

Two things happen that result on us needing to use the subjunctive in that noun clause: 

 

  • First, There are two clauses with two different subjects

  • Second, The engine clause has a “WEIRDO” verb

 

3. What are WEIRDO verbs?  

They are verbs that express the following: 

 

  • Wish (Quiero, deseo, te pido – que bailes
  • Emotion (Me alegra, me entristece, me sorprende – que bailes)
  • Impersonal expressions  (Es importante, es necesario, es bueno – que bailes)
  • Request (Pido, ruego, sugiero – que bailes)
  • Doubt, Disbelief, Denial (Dudo, no creo, veo difícil – que bailes)
  • Ojalá (Ojalá, quizás, tal vez – bailes)


So, if there is a WEIRDO verb in the engine clause, the verb on the second clause will have to be in subjunctive. 

 

 

Para recordar – Conjugación del presente subjuntivo

 

 

AR

ER

IR

Yo

cante

coma

viva

cantes

comas

vivias

Él/ Ella/ Usted

cante

coma

viva

Nosotros 

cantemos

comamos

vivamos

Ellos/ Ellas/ Ustedes

canten

coman

vivan

Some things to remember: 


There are a some of verbs that change their root or spelling in the conditional. You can always consult a dictionary or this verb conjugator to find answers. If you want to get into the subjunctive deeper, you can read more about it here

¡Practiquemos!

¡Hola! A continuación tienes algo para practicar. Debes lograr al menos 80% ¡Suerte!

Para recordar – Conjugación del imperfecto subjuntivo 

Mi mamá quería que…

 

 

AR

ER

IR

Yo

cantara

comiera

viviera

cantaras

comieras

vivieras

Él/ Ella/ Usted

cantara

comiera

viviera

Nosotros 

cantáramos

comiéramos

viviéramos

Ellos/ Ellas/ Ustedes

cantaran

comieran

vivieran

There are some of verbs that change their root or spelling in the conditional. You can always consult a dictionary or this verb conjugator to find answers. If you want to get into the subjunctive deeper, you can read more about it here

¡Practiquemos!

¡Hola! A continuación tienes algo para practicar. Debes lograr al menos 80% ¡Suerte!

This unit “El subjuntivo – Noun Clauses” was created by Alegría Ribadeneira by combining original material and sections about verbs from Spanish411.net, licensed CC BY-NC-SASpanish Grammar Manual by Enrique Yépez licensed  CC BY-NC-SA, and Entrada Libre by Nancy Ballesteros, Alejandro Lee, Nicolás Cristoso, & Cristina Moon, licensed CC BY-NC-SA