español · B1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Que and the present subjunctive
Move wishes, doubts, and evaluations into a second subject’s clause.
Understand the choice
The present subjunctive appears when a subordinate action is not asserted as a plain fact: it is wanted, requested, evaluated, doubted, denied, or emotionally received. A subject change often creates the que-clause.
Core rule: When one subject wants, requests, doubts, evaluates, or reacts to another subject’s action, use que + subjunctive.
Notice it in context
Quiero que vengas temprano.
I want you to come early.
When one subject wants, requests, doubts, evaluates, or reacts to another subject’s action, use que + subjunctive.
Es necesario que descanses.
It is necessary that you rest.
An impersonal evaluation triggers the subjunctive.
Creo que viene, pero no creo que llegue pronto.
I think he is coming, but I do not think he will arrive soon.
Affirmed belief uses indicative; negated belief triggers subjunctive.
What to remember
- With one subject, an infinitive is usually simpler: quiero salir; with two, quiero que salgas.
- Affirmative belief commonly takes indicative, while negated belief can suspend assertion: creo que viene; no creo que venga.
Common trap: Que alone never triggers the subjunctive. Compare sé que vienes, which asserts a fact, with quiero que vengas, which presents a desired action.