While I drink my coffeeBefore you practise: rules and examples
These topics cover this set, including review questions. Open the guide and refer to it while answering.
Feeling and judgement + que + subjunctive
After me alegra que, me preocupa que, me sorprende que, es importante / normal / lógico que, use the subjunctive. For something that has already happened, use haya + participle. With the same subject, use an infinitive.
Me alegra que vengas.I’m glad you’re coming.
Me sorprende que no hayan llamado.I’m surprised they haven’t called.
The subjunctive after a request or proposal
Querer / pedir / necesitar / proponer que and es importante / posible que introduce a desired action, judgement or possibility. They normally take the subjunctive: start from present yo without -o, then -ar → -e-, -er / -ir → -a-. Person endings: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en or -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. Irregular forms include sea, vaya, esté, haya, dé, sepa. Sin que also takes the subjunctive.
Espero que tengas tiempo. Podemos hablar sin que nadie nos interrumpa.I hope you have time. We can talk without anyone interrupting us.
Lo que: focusing on an idea
Lo que means what / the thing that and refers to an idea or situation, not a masculine noun. It can introduce what matters, worries someone or is needed.
Lo que necesito es descansar.What I need is to rest.
1. Me alegra que el cambio ___.
2. Es importante que los clientes lo ___.
3. Me sorprende que nadie lo ___ visto antes.
4. Prefiero que lo ___ mi equipo.
5. ¿Qué frase describe el problema sin buscar culpables?
6. No es que me ___; es que tienes razón.
Review from Nº7These items appeared in the previous issue. See what has changed since then.
7. Propongo que ___ los dos casos.
8. ___ que me preocupa es la diferencia entre las cantidades.