The subjunctive scares a lot of language learners, especially those whose native language is not Italian, Spanish, or French. This of course includes English speakers, to whom the subjunctive seems unfamiliar and formal. The use of the subjunctive that is easiest for students to understand is the one that relates to “suggestion” or “want.” You have just learned how to give a “command” for something you want done. Now you are going to achieve the same result, but you will do it in a more educated, polite way.

The other good news is that the forms of the subjunctive are the same as the commands you just learned! Look at the following comparative list of examples.

Notice that the subjunctive forms happen when followed by the word que (that). So you use the subjunctive form after the introduction of another subordinate clause introduced by the relative pronoun que. See the chart below to get a clear picture of this subjunctive “map.”

TRACK 88

Subjunctive Construction

Translating sentences from the Portuguese subjunctive to English is hard because English speakers don't usually say “We want that she learn.” In fact, this sentence is a bit awkward. English speakers today are far more likely to say “We want her to learn.” So, given the choice, English speakers would generally much rather use the infinitive rather than the subjunctive form.

Now, the complex sentences above are written in the present tense. This means that both the first part of the sentence (the main clause, quero [I want]) and the second part (the que, or subordinate clause) are all in the present tense. But what if I wanted to say not “I long” but rather “I longed”? What would happen to the second part of the sentence? Read on to find out.