-a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-an
Present Subjunctive -ER/-IR
For -ER and -IR verbs, use '-a' endings in the present subjunctive: -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an.
How It Works
The present subjunctive appears in wishes, doubts and other constructions that select this mood. A thought, feeling or impersonal statement does not automatically require it. For regular -ER and -IR verbs, the conjugation follows a simple rule often called the 'opposite vowel' rule.
Formation Steps:
1. Start with the yo form of the present indicative (e.g., como, vivo).
2. Drop the final -o (e.g., com-, viv-).
3. Add the present subjunctive endings for -ER/-IR verbs.
Endings:
- yo: -a
- tú: -as
- él/ella/usted: -a
- nosotros/as: -amos
- vosotros/as: -áis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes: -an
Example with 'comer' (to eat):
yo coma
tú comas
él coma
nosotros comamos
vosotros comáis
ellos coman
Example with 'vivir' (to live):
yo viva
tú vivas
él viva
nosotros vivamos
vosotros viváis
ellos vivan
Common subordinate-clause patterns include quiero que (I want that...) or es importante que (it's important that...).
Compare Es importante que vivas aquí with Es verdad que vives aquí: the construction and intended meaning choose the mood. The subjunctive can also appear without an introductory main clause, as in Ojalá vivan cerca. The regular formation rule in this lesson does not replace learning irregular forms.
Examples (5)
- Espero que comas toda la verdura.
I hope that you eat all the vegetables.
Word by Word: I hope that you eat all the vegetables.
- El profesor quiere que aprendamos los verbos.
The teacher wants us to learn the verbs.
Word by Word: The teacher wants that we learn the verbs.
- Dudo que él viva en esa casa.
I doubt that he lives in that house.
Word by Word: I doubt that he lives in that house.
- Es necesario que escribas un correo electrónico.
It's necessary that you write an email.
Word by Word: It is necessary that you write an email.
- Me alegra que reciban buenas noticias.
I'm glad that they are receiving good news.
Word by Word: It gladdens me that they receive good news.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after a trigger phrase.
Espero que comes bien.Espero que comas bien.Expressions of hope like 'espero que' require the subjunctive mood. The indicative form 'comes' is incorrect here; you must use the subjunctive 'comas'.
Using the wrong vowel for the subjunctive endings.
Es importante que ustedes viven aquí.Es importante que ustedes vivan aquí.The subjunctive endings for -ER and -IR verbs use the vowel 'a' (the 'opposite' vowel). The indicative form 'viven' is incorrect; the subjunctive 'vivan' is needed.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the present subjunctive for -ER and -IR verbs, you must first be comfortable with their regular present indicative forms. The subjunctive for these verbs is formed by taking the 'yo' stem of the present tense and adding the 'opposite' vowel endings (using -a instead of -e/-i). Familiarity with the -AR subjunctive pattern is also helpful as it establishes the concept of vowel switching.
- -o/-es/-e/-imos/-ís/-enPresent Tense -IR Verbs
Understanding the standard present tense endings for -IR verbs is essential because the subjunctive forms are built by swapping these thematic vowels.
Level 1 - -e/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-enPresent Subjunctive -AR
The present subjunctive for -ER/-IR verbs uses the same vowel endings (-a) that are characteristic of -AR indicative verbs, following the same 'vowel swap' logic introduced in the -AR subjunctive pattern.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- quiero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Wishes
Quiero que vivas aquí is a common use of these endings. Subject change favors the finite clause; emphatic same-subject clauses are also possible.
Level 3 - espero que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Hope
With esperar expressing hope, espero que comas illustrates the subjunctive. Other time frames require the corresponding forms; present subjunctive is not the only possible tense.
Level 3 - dudo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Doubt
Expressions of doubt are a classic use case for the subjunctive. 'Dudo que...' signals uncertainty and requires the subjunctive form of the following verb.
Level 3 - -o/-es/-e/-emos/-éis/-enPresent Tense -ER Verbs
These are the present indicative endings for -ER verbs. Understanding them helps you see how the subjunctive endings are their 'opposite' counterparts (e.g., 'comes' in the indicative vs. 'comas' in the subjunctive).
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- a menos que/sin que/con tal de que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive ConjunctionsLevel 3
- antes de que + SubjunctiveBefore (Subjunctive)Level 3
- cuando/después de que/hasta que + SubjunctiveTemporal SubjunctiveLevel 3
- es importante que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with ImportanceLevel 3
- es posible que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with PossibilityLevel 3
- hable/coma/escribaUsted CommandsLevel 3
- hablemos/comamos/escribamosNosotros CommandsLevel 3
- haya/hayas/haya/hayamos/hayanSubjunctive of HaberLevel 3
And 14 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -a/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-an in Bubblegum
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