que + Subjunctive
Indirect Commands
Use que followed by a verb in the subjunctive to tell someone what a third person should do or to express a wish. Think of it as meaning 'Let them...' or 'I hope that...'.
How It Works
Indirect commands are a common way to relay instructions or wishes without using a direct imperative. They generally fall into two main categories:
1. Standalone Indirect Commands
These are used for wishes or impersonal instructions where a main verb (like espero, deseo, ordeno) is implied. The structure is simple: Que + [Subject] + [Verb in Present Subjunctive].
- Expressing wishes: ¡Que te diviertas en la fiesta! (Have fun at the party!) or ¡Que te mejores pronto! (Get well soon!)
- Giving impersonal commands: Que pase el siguiente. (Let the next person come in.)
2. Reported Commands (in Subordinate Clauses)
These are used after a main verb of influence, command, or request (like decir, pedir, querer). The structure is: [Main Verb] + que + [Subject] + [Verb in Present Subjunctive].
- Mi madre dice que limpies tu cuarto. (My mother says for you to clean your room.)
- El jefe quiere que terminemos el informe. (The boss wants us to finish the report.)
This structure primarily uses the present subjunctive. It's different from direct commands, which address the listener directly (e.g., ¡Limpia tu cuarto!).
Examples (5)
- Mi mamá dice que limpies tu cuarto ahora mismo.
My mom says for you to clean your room right now.
Word by Word: My mom says that you-clean your room right now.
Here, a command from 'mi mamá' is being relayed to 'tú' (you). 'Limpies' is the present subjunctive form of 'limpiar'.
- ¡Que entre el siguiente paciente!
Let the next patient come in!
Word by Word: That enter the next patient!
This is a standalone, impersonal command, often heard in a doctor's office. The speaker is instructing an unseen person to enter. 'Entre' is the subjunctive of 'entrar'.
- Si no quiere comer, pues que no coma.
If he doesn't want to eat, well then let him not eat.
Word by Word: If not he-wants to-eat, well then that not he-eats.
This expresses a sort of permissive or indifferent command. The subjunctive 'coma' is used to state what should (or in this case, shouldn't) happen as a consequence.
- ¡Que te vaya bien!
I hope it goes well for you! / Good luck!
Word by Word: That to-you it-goes well!
This is a very common expression that functions as a wish. It implies a verb like 'espero' (I hope): (Espero) que te vaya bien. 'Vaya' is the subjunctive of 'ir'.
- El profesor pide que los estudiantes hagan la tarea.
The teacher asks that the students do the homework.
Word by Word: The teacher asks that the students do the homework.
This is a reported command. The main verb 'pide' (asks) triggers the use of the subjunctive 'hagan' in the following clause.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.
Dile a Ana que me llama más tarde.Dile a Ana que me llame más tarde.An indirect command requires the subjunctive mood. 'Llama' is the indicative form, while 'llame' is the correct subjunctive form for this context.
Confusing an indirect command with a statement of fact.
El cartel dice que no fumas aquí.El cartel dice que no fumes aquí.When a sign or message gives an instruction, it's treated as an indirect command. Therefore, the subjunctive 'fumes' is needed, not the indicative 'fumas' which would mean 'The sign says that you smoke here' (as a fact).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Indirect commands (e.g., 'Que pase él') are formed using the conjunction 'que' followed by a verb in the present subjunctive. Therefore, a solid grasp of present subjunctive conjugations for all verb types is the primary requirement.
- -a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Subjunctive -ER/-IR
The learner must know how to conjugate verbs in the present subjunctive to form indirect commands.
Level 3 - y/o/pero/porqueBasic Conjunctions
Understanding basic conjunctions like 'que' (which functions similarly to these connectors in structure) is necessary for linking the command particle to the verb.
Foundations
Related Patterns
- hable/coma/escribaUsted Commands
These are formal direct commands. They are closely related because the verb conjugation for Usted commands is identical to the third-person singular present subjunctive used in many indirect commands (e.g.,
Level 3Hable ustedvs.Quiero que usted hable). - no hables/no comas/no escribasNegative Tú Commands
These are negative informal (tú) commands. They are directly related because they are also formed using the present subjunctive. Understanding the subjunctive for indirect commands helps you form these negative commands correctly.
Level 3 - espero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Hope
This pattern uses 'que + subjunctive' to express hope. It's very similar because many indirect commands, like '¡Que te vaya bien!' (Good luck!), are essentially expressions of hope where the verb 'espero' is implied.
Level 3 - -e/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-enPresent Subjunctive -AR
This is the fundamental conjugation pattern for forming the present subjunctive with -AR verbs, which is required to use indirect commands with verbs like 'hablar' or 'entrar'.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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