Subjunctive mood

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Also Known As: Subjuntivo in Spanish.

Definition: The subjunctive mood is used not to indicate that something is being asserted but that it is contrary to fact, supposed, doubted, feared or desired. The subjunctive mood barely exists in English, although more so in writing than in speech. In contrast, the subjunctive mood is an essential feature of the Spanish language.

In Spanish, the subjunctive mood is used most commonly in a dependent clause, usually one beginning with que. In some cases, in both English and Spanish, a past-tense form of the subjunctive can be used to state a contrary-to-fact condition after if (si in Spanish).

Examples:

The underline verbs are in the subjunctive mood:

If I were a man I would be a soccer player.
Si fuera hombre, sería futbolista.

I demand that he study.
Le exigo que estudie.

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