Subjunctive Conjugation in Spanish: Endings, Rules & Examples (Present Subjunctive)

In this guide you’ll learn exactly how to conjugate the Spanish present subjunctive—regular, irregular, and stem‑changing verbs.

You’ll get clear examples, a subjunctive endings chart, and a printable PDF.

Quick Guide: Subjunctive Conjugation Rules

1. Start from the yo form in the present indicative.

2. Drop -o.

3. Add subjunctive endings (‑e/‑es/‑e/‑emos/‑éis/‑en for -ar; ‑a/‑as/‑a/‑amos/‑áis/‑an for -er/-ir).

4. Watch for stem changes, -gar/-car/-zar spelling changes, and irregulars (ser, ir, haber, estar, saber, ver, dar).

Spanish Subjunctive Endings (Present)

For -ar verbs, use: e, es, e, emos, éis, en
For -er and -ir verbs, use: a, as, a, amos, áis, an

Why this matters: Many learners search for a subjunctive verb endings chart—this is it.

How to Conjugate Regular Verbs in the Present Subjunctive

How do you conjugate the Spanish subjunctive?
If you can conjugate the present indicative, you’re 80% there.

Formula: present yo → remove -o → add subjunctive endings.

Example: amar (to love)

• Present yo: amo → drop ‑o → am-
• Add endings (-ar set): ame, ames, ame, amemos, améis, amen

See our full guide to regular verb conjugation in Spanish here: How to Conjugate Regular Verbs in Spanish (+ Free PDF).

Conjugating Stem‑Changing Verbs in the Subjunctive (Present Subjunctive Examples)

Boot verbs keep their stem change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros in the present.

Example: querer (to want, love)
Present yo: quiero → drop ‑o → quier- → add -er/-ir subjunctive endings:

Spelling Changes in the Subjunctive: -gar, -car, -zar (orthographic changes)

A few regular and irregular verbs suffer orthographic changes when they are conjugated in the present subjunctive tense.

The most common spelling changes are the following.

• Verbs that end in -gar change g to gu.
• Verbs that end in -car change c to qu.
• Verbs that end in -zar change z to c.

A common verb that ends in -zar is comenzar. It is a stem-changing verb.

If we get rid of the -o in comienzo, we are left with comienz. Now, remember that verbs that end in -zar change z to c, so we have comienc.

Let’s use the present subjunctive endings for verbs that end in -ar to conjugate this verb: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en.

Irregular Verbs in the Present Subjunctive (Full List + Examples)

There are seven core irregulars worth memorizing:

For a full list of irregular verbs in Spanish, visit the post 200 Examples of Spanish Irregular Verbs.

Ver and Ser

Ir and Haber

Estar and Dar

Verb Saber

Verbs Irregular Only in the “Yo” Form (present indicative → present subjunctive)

Verbs that irregular in the yo form of the present indicative are irregular in all the forms in the present subjunctive.

Notice the conjugation of hacer, a verb that is irregular in the yo form only in the present indicative.

Can you recall the conjugation of hacer for the yo pronoun in the present indicative? It’s hago.

Get rid of the -o in hago and add the proper endings to conjugate this verb.

Conjugate the following verbs the same way we conjugated hacer.

Get rid of the -o ending of the yo form of the present indicative tense of the following verbs. Then, add -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an to what you are left with to conjugate them in the present subjunctive tense.

Present Subjunctive Ending Chart: PDF Included

Prefer to study from a one‑page subjunctive endings chart? DOWNLOAD PDF (print‑friendly).

Present Subjunctive Practice (Quick Exercises)

Try these present subjunctive practice prompts:

1. Form the present subjunctive for hablar (all persons).

2. Conjugate tener in the present subjunctive (focus on yo/nosotros).

3. Apply spelling changes: buscar → write yo/tú/usted forms.

4. Fill in the blank with the correct form:

   • Quiero que tú __________ (venir) temprano.

   • Es posible que ellos __________ (poder) ayudar.

   • Ojalá que nosotros __________ (tener) tiempo.

FAQs

What is the Spanish subjunctive tense (present)?
It’s a mood, not a time: we use it for wishes, doubts, emotions, recommendations, and uncertainty in the present.

How do you form the present subjunctive?
Take the yo form (present indicative), drop -o, add subjunctive endings (‑e… for -ar; ‑a… for -er/-ir).

Subjunctive vs. indicative—what’s the difference?
Indicative states facts/certainty; subjunctive expresses uncertainty, subjectivity, or non‑factuality (e.g., quiero que…, dudo que…).

Is there a past subjunctive?
Yes (imperfect/preterite subjunctive), but this guide focuses on the present subjunctive.