Spanish Subjunctive Triggers

Q: Does cuando take the subjunctive?

Only when it's about the future: Cuando llegues, llámame ("When you get there, call me"). For habits and the past, it takes the indicative: Cuando llego a casa, ceno. As a question (¿Cuándo llegas?), it never takes the subjunctive.

Q: Does aunque take the subjunctive?

It can. With the indicative, aunque means "even though" (a fact): Aunque llueve, voy a salir. With the subjunctive, it means "even if" (maybe or maybe not): Aunque llueva, voy a salir.

Q: Does quizás take the subjunctive?

It can take either. Quizás, quizá, and tal vez usually take the subjunctive when you're less sure (Quizás venga) and the indicative when you think it's likely (Quizás viene). A lo mejor always takes the indicative.

Q: Does creer que take the subjunctive?

Not in a positive sentence: Creo que es verdad. Only when it's negative: No creo que sea verdad. The same goes for pensar que and estar seguro de que.

Adapted from The Animated Book of Spanish, an interactive Spanish grammar book.

A subjunctive trigger is a word or phrase that makes the next verb switch to the subjunctive. This page lists the triggers you'll actually run into in everyday Spanish, grouped by meaning, with examples.

Most triggers come before que, and the verb after que goes in the subjunctive. For how to form the subjunctive itself, see the subjunctive.

triggerEs importante

queque

subjunctivedescanses

it’s important that you restEs importante que descanses.

On this page

The WEIRDO shortcut

The most common triggers fit into six groups, often remembered as WEIRDO:

WEIRDO: the six main groups of subjunctive triggers, with an example of each
	Stands for	Example
W	Wishes and wants	Quiero que vengas.
E	Emotions	Me alegro de que estés aquí.
I	Impersonal expressions	Es importante que duermas.
R	Requests and recommendations	Te pido que me ayudes.
D	Doubt and denial	Dudo que llueva.
O	Ojalá	Ojalá ganemos.

WEIRDO isn't exhaustive - the subjunctive also comes after certain conjunctions (para que, antes de que), after time words when they're about the future, and in descriptions of things that may not exist. Those are further down the page.

Wishes and wants

Wanting something to happen, or wanting someone else to do something.

querer queto want (someone to)
desear queto wish, to want
preferir queto prefer (that)
necesitar queto need (someone to)
esperar queto hope (that)
tener ganas de queto look forward to, can’t wait for

Quiero que me llames esta noche.
I want you to call me tonight.
Mis padres prefieren que cenemos en casa.
My parents would rather we eat dinner at home.
Tengo ganas de que llegue el verano.
I can’t wait for summer to come.

Emotions

A reaction to what someone else does, or to how things are. Many of these work like gustar: me gusta que, me molesta que, nos preocupa que.

alegrarse de queto be glad (that)
estar contento de queto be happy (that)
gustar queto like (that)
encantar queto love (that)
molestar queto bother, to annoy
preocupar queto worry
sorprender queto surprise
importar queto mind, to matter
sentir queto be sorry (that)
tener miedo de queto be afraid (that)
odiar queto hate (that)
qué pena quewhat a shame (that)

Me encanta que vivas tan cerca.
I love that you live so close.
A Carlos le molesta que lleguemos tarde.
It bothers Carlos when we’re late.
Tengo miedo de que se pierdan.
I’m afraid they’ll get lost.

Impersonal expressions

Expressions like es + adjective + que take the subjunctive when they give a judgment or say how likely something is.

es importante queit’s important (that)
es necesario queit’s necessary (that)
es mejor queit’s better (if)
es bueno queit’s good (that)
es normal queit’s normal, understandable (that)
es raro queit’s strange (that)
es una pena queit’s a shame (that)
es posible queit’s possible (that)
es probable queit’s likely (that)
puede (ser) queit might be that, maybe
hace falta queit’s necessary (that)
más vale queyou’d better, it’s best (that)

Es normal que estés nervioso.
It’s normal for you to be nervous.
Puede que llueva mañana.
It might rain tomorrow.
Más vale que salgamos ya.
We’d better leave now.

Watch out for expressions of certainty, like es verdad, es cierto, es obvio, es evidente, and está claro. They state a fact, so they take the indicative:

Fact: indicativeJudgment: subjunctive
Fact: indicative
Es verdad que está cansada.
It’s true that she’s tired.
Judgment: subjunctive
Es normal que esté cansada.
It’s normal for her to be tired.
Fact: indicative
Es obvio que tienen razón.
It’s obvious they’re right.
Judgment: subjunctive
Es posible que tengan razón.
They might be right.
Fact: indicative
Está claro que viene.
It’s clear he’s coming.
Judgment: subjunctive
Es probable que venga.
He’s probably coming.

Requests, advice, and permission

Trying to get someone else to do something, or not to.

pedir queto ask (someone to)
exigir queto demand
insistir en queto insist (that)
decir queto tell (someone to)
recomendar queto recommend
aconsejar queto advise
sugerir queto suggest
permitir queto allow
dejar queto let
prohibir queto forbid
hacer queto make (someone)
conseguir queto get (someone to)

Te aconsejo que hables con ella.
I’d advise you to talk to her.
El profesor no deja que usemos el móvil.
The teacher doesn’t let us use our phones.
Siempre consigue que todos se rían.
She always gets everyone to laugh.

Decir que and insistir en que only trigger the subjunctive when they're about getting someone to do something. When they report information, they take the indicative:

Reporting: indicativeTelling to: subjunctive
Reporting: indicative
Dice que viene.
She says she’s coming.
Telling to: subjunctive
Dice que vengas.
She says to come.
Reporting: indicative
Insiste en que tiene razón.
He insists he’s right.
Telling to: subjunctive
Insiste en que pidamos postre.
He insists we order dessert.

Doubt and denial

Saying that something probably isn't true, or definitely isn't.

dudar queto doubt (that)
no creer queto not think, to not believe (that)
no pensar queto not think (that)
no estar seguro de queto not be sure (that)
no es verdad queit’s not true (that)
no es cierto queit’s not true (that)
negar queto deny (that)
no parecer queto not seem (that)
no significa queit doesn’t mean (that)
no es queit’s not that

No creo que tengamos tiempo.
I don’t think we have time.
No estoy segura de que sea buena idea.
I’m not sure it’s a good idea.
No es que no me guste, es que estoy lleno.
It’s not that I don’t like it, I’m just full.

Flip them around and they express certainty, so they take the indicative:

Certain: indicativeDoubtful: subjunctive
Certain: indicative
Creo que es aquí.
I think it’s here.
Doubtful: subjunctive
No creo que sea aquí.
I don’t think it’s here.
Certain: indicative
No dudo que puedes.
I don’t doubt you can.
Doubtful: subjunctive
Dudo que puedas.
I doubt you can.
Certain: indicative
Estoy seguro de que viene.
I’m sure he’s coming.
Doubtful: subjunctive
No estoy seguro de que venga.
I’m not sure he’s coming.

Ojalá and well-wishes

Ojalá means hopefully or I hope, and it always takes the subjunctive, with or without que.

ojaláhopefully, I hope
ojalá quehopefully, I hope

Ojalá ganemos el partido.
I hope we win the game.
Ojalá que no llueva.
Hopefully it won’t rain.
Ojalá puedas venir.
I hope you can come.

Que + subjunctive on its own is also how Spanish wishes someone well. Think of it as a shortened espero que…:

¡Que te vaya bien!
Hope it goes well!
¡Que tengas un buen día!
Have a good day!
¡Que te mejores!
Get well soon!
¡Que descanses!
Sleep well!
¡Que aproveche!
Enjoy your meal!
¡Que cumplas muchos más!
Many happy returns!

Maybe: quizás and tal vez

Words for maybe can take either. The subjunctive makes it sound less likely.

quizás, quizámaybe, perhaps
tal vezmaybe, perhaps
posiblementepossibly
probablementeprobably

Likely: indicativeLess sure: subjunctive
Likely: indicative
Tal vez tienes razón.
Maybe you’re right (I think so).
Less sure: subjunctive
Tal vez tengas razón.
Maybe you’re right (I’m not sure).
Likely: indicative
Quizás viene mañana.
Maybe she’s coming tomorrow.
Less sure: subjunctive
Quizás venga mañana.
She might come tomorrow.

Conjunctions that always take the subjunctive

These always introduce the subjunctive, because they talk about something that hasn't happened yet, or might not happen at all.

para queso that
a fin de queso that (formal)
antes de quebefore
sin quewithout
a menos queunless
a no ser queunless
salvo queunless
con tal de queas long as, provided that
siempre y cuandoas long as
en caso de quein case

Te lo explico para que lo entiendas.
I’ll explain it so that you understand.
Vámonos antes de que empiece a llover.
Let’s go before it starts raining.
No voy a menos que vayan ustedes.
I’m not going unless you all go.

Cuando and other time words

Time words take the subjunctive when they're about something that hasn't happened yet. For habits or the past, they take the indicative.

cuandowhen
hasta queuntil
en cuantoas soon as
tan pronto comoas soon as
después de queafter
una vez queonce
mientraswhile

Habit or past: indicativeFuture: subjunctive
Habit or past: indicative
Cuando llego a casa, ceno.
When I get home, I have dinner.
Future: subjunctive
Cuando llegues a casa, llámame.
When you get home, call me.
Habit or past: indicative
Esperé hasta que salió.
I waited until he came out.
Future: subjunctive
Espera hasta que salga.
Wait until he comes out.
Habit or past: indicative
En cuanto termino, me voy a casa.
As soon as I finish, I go home.
Future: subjunctive
En cuanto terminemos, nos vamos.
As soon as we finish, we’ll leave.

Aunque, como, and mientras

A few conjunctions change their meaning depending on which one follows.

aunqueeven though (indicative), even if (subjunctive)
comosince (indicative), if (subjunctive, a warning)
mientraswhile (indicative), as long as (subjunctive)

IndicativeSubjunctive
Indicative
Aunque llueve, voy a salir.
Even though it’s raining, I’m going out.
Subjunctive
Aunque llueva, voy a salir.
Even if it rains, I’m going out.
Indicative
Como no hay pan, compro tortillas.
Since there’s no bread, I’ll buy tortillas.
Subjunctive
Como no vengas, me enfado.
If you don’t come, I’ll get mad.
Indicative
Mientras cocinas, pongo la mesa.
While you cook, I’ll set the table.
Subjunctive
Mientras estudies, te ayudo.
As long as you study, I’ll help you.

Things that may not exist

When you describe someone or something you haven't found yet, that may not exist, or that doesn't exist, the description takes the subjunctive.

buscar (a) alguien queto look for someone who
necesitar algo queto need something that
¿hay alguien que…?is there anyone who…?
no hay nadie quethere’s no one who
no hay nada quethere’s nothing that
no conozco a nadie queI don’t know anyone who

Exists: indicativeMay not exist: subjunctive
Exists: indicative
Tengo un amigo que habla ruso.
I have a friend who speaks Russian.
May not exist: subjunctive
Busco a alguien que hable ruso.
I’m looking for someone who speaks Russian.
Exists: indicative
Hay un restaurante que abre los lunes.
There’s a restaurant that opens on Mondays.
May not exist: subjunctive
¿Hay algún restaurante que abra los lunes?
Is there a restaurant that opens on Mondays?
Exists: indicative
Conozco a alguien que sabe cocinar.
I know someone who can cook.
May not exist: subjunctive
No conozco a nadie que sepa cocinar.
I don’t know anyone who can cook.

Whatever, wherever, whoever

Lo que, donde, como, cuando, and quien take the subjunctive when they mean whatever, wherever, however, whenever, or whoever. A few set phrases work the same way.

lo quewhatever
dondewherever
comohowever, any way
cuandowhenever
quienwhoever
pase lo que paseno matter what happens
sea como seaone way or another
digan lo que diganwhatever they say
por mucho queno matter how much
por más queno matter how much

Haz lo que quieras.
Do whatever you want.
Siéntense donde prefieran.
Sit wherever you like.
Pase lo que pase, te quiero.
No matter what happens, I love you.
Por mucho que estudie, no lo entiendo.
No matter how much I study, I don’t get it.

Common mistakes English speakers make

Using the subjunctive after creo que
Incorrect:Creo que sea verdad.
Correct:Creo que es verdad.
Creer que states what you believe, so it takes the indicative. Only no creo que takes the subjunctive.
Using the subjunctive after es verdad que
Incorrect:Es verdad que sea caro.
Correct:Es verdad que es caro.
Expressions of certainty state a fact, even when they look like the impersonal expressions.
Using the present after cuando for the future
Incorrect:Cuando llegas, llámame.
Correct:Cuando llegues, llámame.
When cuando is about something that hasn't happened yet, it takes the subjunctive.
Using the indicative after para que
Incorrect:Te lo digo para que lo sabes.
Correct:Te lo digo para que lo sepas.
Para que always takes the subjunctive.
Using the subjunctive after a lo mejor
Incorrect:A lo mejor venga mañana.
Correct:A lo mejor viene mañana.
Unlike quizás and tal vez, a lo mejor always takes the indicative.

Questions about subjunctive triggers

What triggers the subjunctive in Spanish?

The subjunctive comes after words that present something as not a fact: wishes (quiero que), emotions (me alegro de que), judgments (es importante que), requests (te pido que), doubt (dudo que), and ojalá. It also follows conjunctions like para que and antes de que, time words like cuando when they're about the future, and descriptions of things that may not exist (busco a alguien que…).

What does WEIRDO stand for?

It's a memory aid for the main subjunctive triggers: Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Requests and recommendations, Doubt and denial, and Ojalá.

Does cuando take the subjunctive?

Only when it's about the future: Cuando llegues, llámame ("When you get there, call me"). For habits and the past, it takes the indicative: Cuando llego a casa, ceno. As a question (¿Cuándo llegas?), it never takes the subjunctive.

Does aunque take the subjunctive?

It can. With the indicative, aunque means "even though" (a fact): Aunque llueve, voy a salir. With the subjunctive, it means "even if" (maybe or maybe not): Aunque llueva, voy a salir.

Does quizás take the subjunctive?

It can take either. Quizás, quizá, and tal vez usually take the subjunctive when you're less sure (Quizás venga) and the indicative when you think it's likely (Quizás viene). A lo mejor always takes the indicative.

Does creer que take the subjunctive?

Not in a positive sentence: Creo que es verdad. Only when it's negative: No creo que sea verdad. The same goes for pensar que and estar seguro de que.

Next upThe past subjunctiveBuilt from the preterite: past triggers, “if” sentences, ojalá, and como si.