The present subjunctive tense of regular verbs is formed by doing these three steps:
- Step 1: Conjugate the verb in the present indicative YO form. Example: tener->tengo
- Step 2: Drop the final "o" to create the stem: Example: tener->teng-
- Step 3: Add the appropriate ending to the stem of the verb:
Usage/Examples:
The present subjunctive is generally used in dependent clauses after main clauses that express a feeling or a desire. A simpler way of thinking about it: there's usually a "trigger" (like "I hope" or "They want") verb in the beginning of the sentence that triggers the subjunctive in the later part of the sentence:
- I hope that you eat. = Yo espero que comas.
- They want me to bring a book. = Ellos quieren que yo traiga un libro.
- The professor likes that I talk Spanish. = Al profesor le gusta que yo hable español.