Subjunctive vs. Indicative in Spanish

Be gentle with this pattern. Spanish grows fastest when one small idea gets practiced with care.

Big Idea

Subjunctive vs. Indicative in Spanish is about choosing the word that matches the thought.

Verbs are the engine of a sentence. Start with the moment in time, then choose the form that carries that moment.

Examples

Example 1

Quiero que vengas.
I want you to come.

Notice vengas: A wish aimed at another person.

Example 2

Es posible que llueva.
It is possible that it will rain.

Notice llueva: Uncertainty or possibility.

Example 3

Busco una casa que tenga luz.
I am looking for a house that has light.

Notice tenga: A not-yet-specific thing.

How To Practice

1. Step 1: Find the trigger: wish, doubt, emotion, request, need, or uncertainty.
2. Step 2: Check whether there is a second subject after que.
3. Step 3: Use the subjunctive form for the action that is not treated as a plain fact.

Common Trap

Watch for this: The trap is treating the subjunctive as a mood of fear. It is gentler than that: Spanish uses it when the sentence is not presenting the action as a plain fact.

Remember

With Subjunctive vs. Indicative in Spanish, begin with meaning and time. The ending is there to serve the sentence.