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.
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.
Cuando about the future
After cuando about an event that has not happened yet use the subjunctive. Habitual actions take the indicative.
Cuando termine, saldré. Cuando termino temprano, paseo.When I finish, I will go out. When I finish early, I take a walk.
Me, te, se before a verb
In llamarse the pronoun changes with the person: me llamo, te llamas, se llama, nos llamamos, os llamáis, se llaman. Other reflexive verbs also put the pronoun before the conjugated form.
Me llamo Elena. Mi hermana se llama Ana.My name is Elena. My sister’s name is Ana.
Negative commands
For a negative tú command use no + subjunctive: -ar → -es, -er / -ir → -as. A reflexive pronoun stays before the verb. Use subjunctive irregular forms.
No corras. No te levantes todavía. No digas nada.Do not run. Do not get up yet. Do not say anything.
A request or advice with tú
A regular affirmative tú command has the same form as él / ella in the present. Stem changes remain. Common irregular forms: haz, di, ve, pon, sal, sé, ten, ven.
Mira el mapa. Cierra la puerta. Ven aquí.Look at the map. Close the door. Come here.
Duration and time reference
Hace + time says how long ago an event happened. Desde hace + time gives the duration of something still true. Llevar + time + gerund emphasises how long an activity has continued. Tardar + time + en + infinitive says how long an action takes. With desde que an ongoing situation or habit can use the present.
Llegué hace un mes. Vivo aquí desde hace un mes. Llevo un mes estudiando. Tardo diez minutos en llegar.I arrived a month ago. I have lived here for a month. I have been studying for a month. It takes me ten minutes to get there.
An action in progress: the gerund
Gerund forms: -ar → -ando, -er / -ir → -iendo (hacer → haciendo). Estar + gerund describes an action in progress. Ver a alguien + gerund means seeing someone doing something.
Estoy preparando la cena. Vi a Marta leyendo.I am preparing dinner. I saw Marta reading.
1. Quiero que (tú) ___ a mi casa el sábado.
2. Cuando (yo) ___ a Madrid mañana, te llamo.
3. Es importante que (tú) ___ más despacio.
4. Un lugar con mesas en la calle, delante de un bar, es una ___.
5. Es posible que ___ más cómodo en la terraza.
6. Nadie te pide que te ___.
Review from Nº2These items appeared in the previous issue. See what has changed since then.
7. Si te invitan a un vermut, no ___ planes para después.
8. ___ un vermut de grifo y quédate a charlar. (pedir, tú)
9. Mi amiga ___ dos años escribiéndose con una señora de Cádiz.