-e/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-en
Present Subjunctive -AR
The present subjunctive endings for regular -AR verbs are: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.
How It Works
The present subjunctive is a tense within the subjunctive mood. Its uses include wishes, doubt and emotional evaluations, which can concern real events. The form can refer to present or future time. For regular -AR verbs, the conjugation follows a simple three-step rule:
1. Start with the yo form of the present indicative tense. (e.g., hablar → hablo)
2. Drop the final -o. (habl-)
3. Add the 'opposite' vowel endings. For -AR verbs, these are the endings based on 'e'.
Conjugation of 'hablar' (to speak):
- (yo) hable
- (tú) hables
- (él/ella/usted) hable
- (nosotros/as) hablemos
- (vosotros/as) habléis
- (ellos/ellas/ustedes) hablen
This pattern is triggered by specific verbs and expressions related to wishes, emotions, certain impersonal evaluations, recommendations, doubt, and ojalá (often remembered by the acronym WEIRDO).
For example, in the sentence "Quiero que hables con ella" (I want you to speak with her), the verb 'querer' (to want) in the main clause triggers the use of the subjunctive 'hables' in the dependent clause.
The listed endings are for regular -AR verbs. Spelling changes preserve sounds, as in buscar → busque, and other verbs have stem changes or irregular forms. In voseo, hablés is used in some varieties, while others commonly use hables; learn the local pattern. Vosotros habléis is used chiefly in Spain; ustedes hablen takes the same form as ellos/ellas.
Examples (5)
- Espero que hables con el profesor.
I hope that you speak with the professor.
Word by Word: I hope that you-speak (subjunctive) with the professor.
- Es necesario que trabajemos juntos.
It's necessary that we work together.
Word by Word: It is necessary that we-work (subjunctive) together.
The impersonal expression 'es necesario que' triggers the subjunctive.
- Dudo que ellos compren el coche.
I doubt that they will buy the car.
Word by Word: I doubt that they buy (subjunctive) the car.
- Ojalá que mi equipo gane el partido.
I hope my team wins the game.
Word by Word: Hopefully that my team wins (subjunctive) the game.
- Tu madre quiere que limpies tu habitación.
Your mother wants you to clean your room.
Word by Word: Your mother wants that you-clean (subjunctive) your room.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after a triggering phrase.
Quiero que tú hablas español.Quiero que tú hables español.The verb 'querer' (to want) in the main clause triggers the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. Therefore, 'hables' is required instead of the indicative 'hablas'.
Forgetting to change the vowel from 'a' to 'e'.
Es importante que nosotros trabajamos mucho.Es importante que nosotros trabajemos mucho.The key rule for forming the -AR subjunctive is to switch the vowel. The indicative ending is '-amos', but the subjunctive ending is '-emos'.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- -a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Subjunctive -ER/-IR
This is the counterpart for -ER and -IR verbs. Both patterns follow the 'opposite vowel' rule to form the present subjunctive.
Level 3 - quiero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Wishes
Querer expressing a wish selects subjunctive; present subjunctive is common for current or future wishes, while tense follows the time relation.
Level 3 - es importante que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Importance
This is a classic example of an impersonal expression that triggers the subjunctive. It shows how the subjunctive is used to state importance or necessity without declaring it as a fact.
Level 3 - dudo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Doubt
This pattern demonstrates how doubt or denial triggers the subjunctive. 'Dudar' explicitly signals uncertainty, making the subjunctive necessary.
Level 3 - no hables/no comas/no escribasNegative Tú Commands
Negative 'tú' commands are formed using the present subjunctive. For -AR verbs, this means using the '-es' ending, directly applying this pattern (e.g., No hables).
Level 3 - -o/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Tense -AR Verbs
Regular present indicative forms provide a useful formation comparison: hablo → hable. The moods have different uses, but are not opposites on a universal fact-versus-nonfact scale.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- aunque + Indicative/SubjunctiveAunque Mood ChoiceLevel 3
- esté/estés/esté/estemos/esténSubjunctive of EstarLevel 3
- me alegra que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with JoyLevel 3
- -ara/-aras/-ara/-áramos/-arais/-aranImperfect Subjunctive -AR (-ra)Level 4
- Subjunctive in Relative ClausesLevel 4
- como no vengas.../como no me lo digas...Warning ExamplesLevel 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice -e/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-en in Bubblegum
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