Wishes and advice B1
Sentences about wishes, hopes, advice and reasons. Listen to the verb after que.
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Keys: 1 or I Indicative · 2 or S Subjunctive · Space to replay · Enter for the next sentence
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Your answers
Quiero que vengas a la fiesta.I want you to come to the party.Subjunctive · vengas: present subjunctive of venirQuiero que + someone else doing something: wanting takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Sé que vienes a la fiesta.I know you're coming to the party.Indicative · vienes: present indicative of venirSé que states something you know as a fact, so the indicative.The present subjunctive
Mi madre dice que llegas tarde.My mum says you're late.Indicative · llegas: present indicative of llegarDecir que passing on information takes the indicative.The present subjunctive
Mi madre dice que llegues pronto.My mum says to get here early.Subjunctive · llegues: present subjunctive of llegarDecir que as an instruction (telling someone to do something) takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Espero que tengas un buen viaje.I hope you have a good trip.Subjunctive · tengas: present subjunctive of tenerEspero que + someone else: hoping takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Veo que tienes mucho trabajo.I can see you've got a lot of work.Indicative · tienes: present indicative of tenerVeo que states what you can see is true, so the indicative.The present subjunctive
Es importante que bebas agua.It's important that you drink water.Subjunctive · bebas: present subjunctive of beberEs importante que + someone else: a judgement about what should happen takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Está claro que bebes poca agua.Clearly you don't drink much water.Indicative · bebes: present indicative of beberEstá claro que presents something as a fact, so the indicative.The present subjunctive
Te lo explico para que lo entiendas.I'm explaining it to you so that you understand it.Subjunctive · entiendas: present subjunctive of entenderPara que (so that) always takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Te lo explico porque no lo entiendes.I'm explaining it to you because you don't understand it.Indicative · entiendes: present indicative of entenderPorque gives a reason, a fact, so the indicative.The present subjunctive
Te aconsejo que hables con ella.I advise you to talk to her.Subjunctive · hables: present subjunctive of hablarAconsejar que: giving someone advice takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Me parece que hablas demasiado.I think you talk too much.Indicative · hablas: present indicative of hablarMe parece que (I think) gives your opinion as true, so the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
Cuando llego a casa, me ducho.When I get home, I have a shower.Indicative · llego: present indicative of llegarCuando + a habit (what usually happens) takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Cuando llegues a casa, llámame.When you get home, call me.Subjunctive · llegues: present subjunctive of llegarCuando + something that hasn't happened yet takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Cuando vivía en Málaga, iba mucho a la playa.When I lived in Málaga, I went to the beach a lot.Indicative · vivía: imperfect indicative of vivirCuando + the past (something that really happened) takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Cuando viva en Málaga, iré mucho a la playa.When I live in Málaga, I'll go to the beach a lot.Subjunctive · viva: present subjunctive of vivirCuando + something still to come takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Esperé hasta que llegó el autobús.I waited until the bus came.Indicative · llegó: preterite (past) indicative of llegarHasta que + something that did happen takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Esperaré hasta que llegue el autobús.I'll wait until the bus comes.Subjunctive · llegue: present subjunctive of llegarHasta que + something that hasn't happened yet takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
En cuanto salgo del trabajo, voy al gimnasio.As soon as I leave work, I go to the gym.Indicative · salgo: present indicative of salirEn cuanto + a habit takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
En cuanto salga del trabajo, te llamo.As soon as I leave work, I'll call you.Subjunctive · salga: present subjunctive of salirEn cuanto + something still to come takes the subjunctive, even when the other verb is in the present.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Antes de que empiece la película, vamos a comprar palomitas.Before the film starts, we're going to buy some popcorn.Subjunctive · empiece: present subjunctive of empezarAntes de que always takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Cuando tengo tiempo, leo mucho.When I have time, I read a lot.Indicative · tengo: present indicative of tenerCuando + a habit takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Cuando tenga tiempo, te llamo.When I have time, I'll call you.Subjunctive · tenga: present subjunctive of tenerCuando + something that hasn't happened yet takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Siempre que viene a Madrid, se queda en mi casa.Whenever he comes to Madrid, he stays at my place.Indicative · viene: present indicative of venirSiempre que (whenever) + a habit takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Creo que viene mañana.I think he's coming tomorrow.Indicative · viene: present indicative of venirCreo que states what you believe is true, so the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
No creo que venga mañana.I don't think he's coming tomorrow.Subjunctive · venga: present subjunctive of venirNo creo que expresses doubt, so the subjunctive.Subjunctive or indicative?
Es verdad que habla cinco idiomas.It's true that she speaks five languages.Indicative · habla: present indicative of hablarEs verdad que presents something as a fact, so the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
No es verdad que hable cinco idiomas.It isn't true that she speaks five languages.Subjunctive · hable: present subjunctive of hablarNo es verdad que denies something, so the subjunctive.Subjunctive or indicative?
Estoy seguro de que tiene razón.I'm sure she's right.Indicative · tiene: present indicative of tenerEstoy seguro de que: certainty takes the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
Dudo que tenga razón.I doubt she's right.Subjunctive · tenga: present subjunctive of tenerDudo que: doubt takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive or indicative?
Pienso que es una buena idea.I think it's a good idea.Indicative · es: present indicative of serPienso que gives your opinion as true, so the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
Es posible que sea una buena idea.It may be a good idea.Subjunctive · sea: present subjunctive of serEs posible que: a possibility, not a fact, takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive or indicative?
Es obvio que están cansados.It's obvious they're tired.Indicative · están: present indicative of estarEs obvio que presents something as a fact, so the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
No parece que estén cansados.They don't seem tired.Subjunctive · estén: present subjunctive of estarNo parece que: saying something doesn't look true takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive or indicative?
Me imagino que tienes hambre.I imagine you're hungry.Indicative · tienes: present indicative of tenerMe imagino que (I suppose) presents it as probably true, so the indicative.Subjunctive or indicative?
Es imposible que tengas hambre.You can't possibly be hungry.Subjunctive · tengas: present subjunctive of tenerEs imposible que: a judgement about whether something can be true takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive or indicative?
Aunque llueve, vamos a salir.Although it's raining, we're going to go out.Indicative · llueve: present indicative of lloverAunque + something you know is true (it is raining) takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Aunque llueva mañana, vamos a salir.Even if it rains tomorrow, we're going to go out.Subjunctive · llueva: present subjunctive of lloverAunque + something that may or may not happen (even if) takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Aunque está cansada, sigue trabajando.Although she's tired, she keeps working.Indicative · está: present indicative of estarAunque + a fact (she is tired) takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Aunque esté cansada, no dirá nada.Even if she's tired, she won't say anything.Subjunctive · esté: present subjunctive of estarAunque + something you don't know is true (even if) takes the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Tengo un amigo que vive en Londres.I have a friend who lives in London.Indicative · vive: present indicative of vivirQue after a particular person who exists (your friend) takes the indicative.The present subjunctive
Busco a alguien que viva cerca.I'm looking for someone who lives nearby.Subjunctive · viva: present subjunctive of vivirQue after anyone who fits, not a particular person you have in mind, takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Conozco a alguien que habla japonés.I know someone who speaks Japanese.Indicative · habla: present indicative of hablarQue after someone who exists (you know them) takes the indicative.The present subjunctive
No conozco a nadie que hable japonés.I don't know anyone who speaks Japanese.Subjunctive · hable: present subjunctive of hablarNadie que: someone who doesn't exist takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Quiero un piso que tenga terraza.I want a flat with a terrace.Subjunctive · tenga: present subjunctive of tenerQue after any flat that fits, not a particular one you know, takes the subjunctive.The present subjunctive
Vivo en un piso que tiene terraza.I live in a flat with a terrace.Indicative · tiene: present indicative of tenerQue after a particular thing that exists (your flat) takes the indicative.The present subjunctive
Haz lo que quieras.Do whatever you like.Subjunctive · quieras: present subjunctive of quererLo que quieras: whatever you like, nothing known yet, so the subjunctive.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Siempre hago lo que quiero.I always do what I want.Indicative · quiero: present indicative of quererLo que quiero: what you actually want, a known thing, so the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Quería que vinieras a la fiesta.I wanted you to come to the party.Subjunctive · vinieras: imperfect subjunctive of venirQuerer que in the past takes the imperfect subjunctive (in Spain you also hear the -se form, vinieses).The imperfect subjunctive
Sabía que venías a la fiesta.I knew you were coming to the party.Indicative · venías: imperfect indicative of venirSaber que states something known, so the indicative, here in the imperfect.The imperfect subjunctive
Aunque llovía, salimos a correr.Although it was raining, we went out for a run.Indicative · llovía: imperfect indicative of lloverAunque + a fact (it was raining) takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Le dije que saldríamos aunque lloviera.I told him we'd go out even if it rained.Subjunctive · lloviera: imperfect subjunctive of lloverAunque + a possibility (even if), seen from the past, takes the imperfect subjunctive.The imperfect subjunctive
Había alguien que sabía alemán.There was someone who knew German.Indicative · sabía: imperfect indicative of saberQue after someone who existed takes the indicative.The imperfect subjunctive
No había nadie que supiera alemán.There was nobody who knew German.Subjunctive · supiera: imperfect subjunctive of saberNadie que: someone who didn't exist takes the subjunctive, imperfect in the past.The imperfect subjunctive
Creía que era verdad.I thought it was true.Indicative · era: imperfect indicative of serCreía que gives what you believed was true, so the indicative.The imperfect subjunctive
No creía que fuera verdad.I didn't think it was true.Subjunctive · fuera: imperfect subjunctive of serNo creía que expresses doubt, so the subjunctive, imperfect in the past.The imperfect subjunctive
Me dijo que lo hacía todos los días.He told me he did it every day.Indicative · hacía: imperfect indicative of hacerDecir que passing on information takes the indicative.The imperfect subjunctive
Me dijo que lo hiciera rápido.He told me to do it quickly.Subjunctive · hiciera: imperfect subjunctive of hacerDecir que as an instruction takes the subjunctive, imperfect after a past verb.The imperfect subjunctive
Me llamó cuando llegó a casa.She called me when she got home.Indicative · llegó: preterite (past) indicative of llegarCuando + something that really happened takes the indicative.Subjunctive trigger phrases
Llegamos a la estación antes de que saliera el tren.We got to the station before the train left.Subjunctive · saliera: imperfect subjunctive of salirAntes de que always takes the subjunctive, imperfect in the past.The imperfect subjunctive
Espero que hayas terminado los deberes.I hope you've finished your homework.Subjunctive · hayas terminado: perfect subjunctive of terminarEspero que + something that may already have happened: the perfect subjunctive.The perfect subjunctive
Sé que has terminado los deberes.I know you've finished your homework.Indicative · has terminado: perfect of terminarSé que states a fact you know, so the indicative perfect (has + -ado).The perfect subjunctive
No creo que haya llegado todavía.I don't think she's arrived yet.Subjunctive · haya llegado: perfect subjunctive of llegarNo creo que expresses doubt, so the subjunctive: haya + -ado.The perfect subjunctive
Creo que ya ha llegado.I think she's already arrived.Indicative · ha llegado: perfect of llegarCreo que states what you believe is true, so the indicative: ha + -ado.The perfect subjunctive
Me alegro de que hayáis venido.I'm glad you've come.Subjunctive · hayáis venido: perfect subjunctive of venirMe alegro de que: a feeling about something takes the subjunctive.The perfect subjunctive
Veo que habéis venido todos.I see you've all come.Indicative · habéis venido: perfect of venirVeo que states what you can see is true, so the indicative.The perfect subjunctive
Es una pena que no hayan podido venir.It's a shame they haven't been able to come.Subjunctive · hayan podido: perfect subjunctive of poderEs una pena que: a feeling about something takes the subjunctive.The perfect subjunctive
Es verdad que no han podido venir.It's true they haven't been able to come.Indicative · han podido: perfect of poderEs verdad que presents something as a fact, so the indicative.The perfect subjunctive
Ojalá no haya perdido el tren.I hope he hasn't missed the train.Subjunctive · haya perdido: perfect subjunctive of perderOjalá always takes the subjunctive.The perfect subjunctive
Seguro que ha perdido el tren.He's bound to have missed the train.Indicative · ha perdido: perfect of perderSeguro que (surely) presents it as a near certainty, so the indicative.The perfect subjunctive
Puede que lo haya olvidado.She may have forgotten.Subjunctive · haya olvidado: perfect subjunctive of olvidarPuede que (maybe) takes the subjunctive.The perfect subjunctive
Está claro que lo ha olvidado.It's clear she's forgotten.Indicative · ha olvidado: perfect of olvidarEstá claro que presents something as a fact, so the indicative.The perfect subjunctive
Si tengo tiempo, te llamo.If I have time, I'll call you.Indicative · tengo: present indicative of tenerSi + something that may well happen takes the present indicative (never the present subjunctive).Si clauses
Si tuviera tiempo, te llamaría.If I had time, I'd call you.Subjunctive · tuviera: imperfect subjunctive of tenerSi + an unlikely or imagined case takes the imperfect subjunctive, with would (llamaría) in the other half.Si clauses
Si llovía, nos quedábamos en casa.If it rained, we used to stay at home.Indicative · llovía: imperfect indicative of lloverSi + a past habit (whenever it rained) takes the imperfect indicative.Si clauses
Si lloviera mañana, nos quedaríamos en casa.If it rained tomorrow, we'd stay at home.Subjunctive · lloviera: imperfect subjunctive of lloverSi + an imagined case takes the imperfect subjunctive, with would (quedaríamos) in the other half.Si clauses
Si hubiera sabido la verdad, no habría venido.If I'd known the truth, I wouldn't have come.Subjunctive · hubiera sabido: pluperfect subjunctive of saberSi + something that didn't happen in the past takes the pluperfect subjunctive (hubiera + -ido).The pluperfect subjunctive
Me dijo que ya había comido.He told me he'd already eaten.Indicative · había comido: pluperfect indicative of comerPassing on a fact about the past: the pluperfect indicative (había + -ido).The pluperfect subjunctive
Habla como si fuera el jefe.He talks as if he were the boss.Subjunctive · fuera: imperfect subjunctive of serComo si always takes the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive.The imperfect subjunctive
Si eres el jefe, tienes que decidir tú.If you're the boss, you have to decide.Indicative · eres: present indicative of serSi + a real situation takes the present indicative.Si clauses
Ojalá pudiera ir contigo.I wish I could go with you.Subjunctive · pudiera: imperfect subjunctive of poderOjalá + the imperfect subjunctive: a wish that can't or probably won't come true.The imperfect subjunctive
Ojalá hubiera estudiado más.I wish I'd studied more.Subjunctive · hubiera estudiado: pluperfect subjunctive of estudiarOjalá + the pluperfect subjunctive: a wish about the past that can't be changed.The pluperfect subjunctive
Cuando entré en el cine, la película ya había empezado.When I went into the cinema, the film had already started.Indicative · había empezado: pluperfect indicative of empezarA real past event before another one: the pluperfect indicative (había + -ado).The pluperfect subjunctive
Si quieres, te ayudo.If you like, I'll help you.Indicative · quieres: present indicative of quererSi + a real possibility takes the present indicative.Si clauses
How the answers work
Listen for the trigger, then the ending. Most of the time a word or phrase before the verb decides the mood: quiero que, no creo que, para que, aunque, como si. Then the verb ending tells you which one you heard: llega or llegue, venías or vinieras, ha or haya.
The same trigger can go either way. Cuando llego is a habit, cuando llegue hasn't happened yet. Aunque llueve means it is raining, aunque llueva means even if it rains. Dice que vienes passes on information, dice que vengas is an instruction. Each set mixes these pairs, so listen to the whole sentence.
Every verb was chosen so that you can hear the difference. We left out forms that sound the same in both moods and sentences where both moods are natural (after quizás, for example, you can hear either).
The past subjunctive. These sets use the -ra forms (viniera, hablara, hubiera). In Spain you'll also hear the -se forms (viniese, hablase, hubiese), which mean the same.
The sentences are read by several speakers from Spain, men and women, so you get used to more than one voice. Tap Slower to hear a sentence at reduced speed.