The Subjunctive Verb with Emotion We learned how the subjunctive is used

with indirect commands. It is used with indirect commands

because of the uncertainty of whether a person would follow a command.

In this lesson, we will see the subjunctive used after verbs that express emotion.

Examples:

Me alegro de que Uds. no tengan que salir ahora.

I’m glad that you all don’t have to leave now.

Nos irrita que nadie entienda lo que hemos dicho.

It irritates us that nobody understands what we have said.

¿Sientes mucho que tu novia no pueda acompañarte a la fiesta?

Do you regret that your girlfriend can’t accompany you to the party?

The subjunctive mood is used in Spanish for more than just uncertainty.

The subjunctive is found in dependent clauses (after the word “que”)

When the main clause expresses an emotional reaction to the action in that second clause—

Be it a reaction of joy, sadness, displeasure, surprise, anger, fear, euphoria, etc…

It’s almost as if the emotion in the first clause “rains down” on the second verb, making it wet, covering it with emotion

The use of the subjunctive, then signals that the second verb is “touched” somehow…

It wears those tears of happiness or of sadness as a type of badge or covering.

Words or expressions that convey emotion Alegrarse de-- to be glad Frustrarle a alguien*-- to be frustrating to someone Gustarle a alguien*-- to be pleasing to someone Molestarle a alguien*-- to bother someone Preocuparle a alguien*--to worry someone Sentir (ie) -- to regret Sorprenderle a alguien* -- to surprise someone Temer – to fear Tener miedo de – to be scaredNote: * the asterisked expressions are examples of ones that

need indirect object pronouns (me frustra, te frustra, le frusta, etc…) it is frustrating to me, it is frustrating to you, etc…)

Formula for this type of sentence:

Verb or expression of emotion in main clause + que + verb in the subjunctive

Examples:

Siento que mis nietos bilingües nunca nos escriban en español.

I regret that my bilingual grandchildren never write us in Spanish.

¿No sientes que yo siempre pierda mi billetera?

Don’t you regret that I always lose my wallet?

Nos alegramos de que llueva ahora en Chattanooga.

We are glad that it is raining in Chattanooga.

Tengo miedo de que los chicos no nos vean.

I am afraid that the boys don’t see us.

Me frustra que no queden entradas para el concierto de Green Day.

It frustrates me that there are no tickets left for the Green Day concert.

Me gusta que Denzel Washington por fin tenga un Oscar.

It pleases me (I like) that Denzel Washington finally has an Oscar.

Note:

There is a “que” in all the previous sentences

There is a verb expressing emotion There is a change of subject These lead to the subjunctive tense If there is no subject change, there is no

need for the subjunctive.

Examples:

Siento no poder ir contigo al concierto de Marc Anthony.

I regret not being able to go with you to the Marc Anthony concert.

Nos alegramos de ver el nuevo parque de atracciones, California Adventure.

We are glad to see the new amusement park, California Adventure.

Nos frustra tener que trabajar tanto esta semana.

It frustrates us to have to work so much this week.

Note:

Many sentences have a dependent clause following “que” but don’t use the subjunctive.

That’s because the main clauses in these sentences don’t express emotion or uncertainty.

Example:

Sé que tú bailas bien. I know that you dance well. Es evidente que la temperatura sube en la

primavera. It is evident that the temperature rises in the

spring. Recuerdo que no te gusta tomar café por la

mañana. I remember that I don’t like drinking coffee in

the morning.

Write the correct form of the present subjunctive. Decir (ud.) Tener (nosotros) Comer (yo) Entender (ellas) Saber (vosotros) Conocer (tú) Morir (ellos) Ser (él) Tocar (nosotros) Salir (tú)

Las respuestas:

Diga Tengamos Coma Entiendan Sepáis Conozcas Mueran Sea Toquemos Salgas

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb. Some will use subjunctive, but others will use the indicative or an infinitive. Then translate.

Nos molesta que ellos ______ tanto ruido en la biblioteca. (hacer)

Mis padres les sorprende que yo ______ sacar tan buenas notas sin estudiar. (poder)

Sentimos que nadie _______la fecha de nuestro aniversario. (recordar)

Me alegro de ______ a un actor de cine tan famoso. (conocer)

Mis padres observan que yo______bien vestido esta noche. (estar)

Nos molesta que ellos hagan tanto ruido en la biblioteca.

Mis padres les sorprende que yo pueda sacar tan buenas notas sin estudiar.

Sentimos que nadie recuerde la fecha de nuestro aniversario.

Me alegro de conocer a un actor de cine tan famoso.

Mis padres observan que yo estoy bien vestido esta noche.

It bothers us that they make so much noise in the library.

It surprises my parents that I am able to get such good grades without studying.

We regret that nobody remembers the date of our anniversary.

I am glad to know a movie actor so famous.

My parents observe that I am well dressed tonight.

Translate the following sentences:

I am glad that you do your homework each night.

We regret that the stadium is closed this fall.

It pleases us that it is sunny today.

Las respuestas:

1. Me alegro de que tú hagas tu (la) tarea cada noche.

2. Nos sentimos que el estadio esté cerrado este otoño.

3. Nos gusta que esté solado hoy.

El Fin

Information cited from:Conner, John Breaking the Spanish Barrier 2006