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Year 11 - Spanish

Construir un futuro mejor: subjunctive after wishing

People and lifestyle: influencias

Unit Summary

This unit furthers pupils' knowledge of the subjunctive. Pupils learn singular subjunctive forms of 'ir' and 'venir', and use the subjunctive after verbs of emotion and 'para que'. Pupils refresh and learn new impersonal verbs, and are introduced to adjectival phrases with 'lo' and an adjective.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to use the subjunctive after verbs of wishing to express your hopes or desires for the future.

Key Notes

  • The subjunctive expresses uncertainty, wishes, emotions or future possibilities.
  • Use 'cuando' + indicative if the action is regular or certain, and 'cuando' + subjunctive if the action is uncertain.
  • After statements of fact or certainty use the indicative; after subjective points of view, use the subjunctive.
  • Wishing verbs ('querer', 'esperar', 'desear', 'preferir', 'necesitar') are followed by an infinitive or the subjunctive.
  • Use a verb of wishing + 'que' + subjunctive when you want someone else to do something.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • subjunctive: verb form that indicates actions which are uncertain, wished for, or that have not yet happened
  • verb of wishing: expresses a desire, hope or preference for something to happen; these verbs often introduce the subjunctive after 'que'

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • 'Quiero', espero', 'deseo', 'prefiero' are always followed by infinitives.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain what you can now say or understand in this lesson.

The subjunctive expresses uncertainty, wishes, emotions or future possibilities. Use 'cuando' + indicative if the action is regular or certain, and 'cuando' + subjunctive if the action is uncertain.

2. Define this key language word and use it in context. 'subjunctive'

verb form that indicates actions which are uncertain, wished for, or that have not yet happened. Say or write it in a short sentence so you use the word actively.

3. Correct this common language-learning mistake.

Mistake: 'Quiero', espero', 'deseo', 'prefiero' are always followed by infinitives. Correction: Use 'quiero' + infinitive when you want to do something yourself. Use 'quiero' + 'que' + subjunctive when you want someone else to do something. Both forms often talk about the future, but the change of subject triggers the use of subjunctive.

More Lessons In This Unit

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