Module 20: The Subjunctive in Future Tenses

In this module, we will explore how the subjunctive mood is used in the future tenses to express doubt, uncertainty, wishes, or hypothetical situations. The subjunctive is essential in Spanish, and learning how it applies to future actions will help you communicate more naturally and express more nuanced ideas.

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Subjunctive Mood in Future Tenses

What is the Subjunctive Mood?

The subjunctive mood is used to talk about desires, doubts, wishes, possibilities, or actions that are not certain to happen. In contrast, the indicative mood is used to talk about things that are factual or certain.

Using the Subjunctive in the Future:

The subjunctive is often used after verbs or expressions that imply uncertainty, such as:

esperar que (to hope that)
dudar que (to doubt that)
es probable que (it’s probable that)
ojalá que (I hope that)

In these contexts, the verb following que is conjugated in the subjunctive mood, even if the action is referring to the future.

Lesson 2: Conjugation of the Subjunctive in the Present vs. Future Contexts

Present Subjunctive vs. Future Subjunctive:

In Spanish, the present subjunctive is commonly used when referring to the future. Although the future subjunctive exists, it is rarely used in modern Spanish. Most of the time, the present subjunctive takes its place.

Present Subjunctive Conjugation (to be used for future actions):

- -ar verbs:
  - hablar (to talk) → hable
- -er verbs:
  - comer (to eat) → coma
- -ir verbs:
  - vivir (to live) → viva

Examples of Subjunctive in Future Contexts:

Espero que tú llegues temprano. – I hope that you arrive early.
Es posible que ellos estudien mañana. – It’s possible that they will study tomorrow.
Ojalá que nosotros vayamos al cine. – I hope that we will go to the cinema.

In these examples, the verbs llegues, estudien, and vayamos are all in the present subjunctive, but they refer to future actions.

Lesson 3: Key Expressions that Trigger the Subjunctive in the Future

Expressions of Doubt or Uncertainty:

These expressions often trigger the subjunctive when talking about future actions:

Dudar que (to doubt that)
Es probable que (it’s probable that)
No creo que (I don’t think that)
Es posible que (it’s possible that)

Example:

Dudo que ellos lleguen a tiempo. – I doubt that they will arrive on time.
Es probable que llueva mañana. – It’s probable that it will rain tomorrow.

Expressions of Desire or Hope:

When you express a desire or hope for the future, you use the subjunctive.

Ojalá que (I hope that)
Esperar que (to hope that)
Querer que (to want that)

Example:

Ojalá que ellos puedan venir. – I hope they can come.
Espero que tú llegues pronto. – I hope you arrive soon.

Lesson 4: The Future Perfect Subjunctive (Rare Usage)

What is the Future Perfect Subjunctive?

The future perfect subjunctive is used to express actions that might have occurred before another future event. This form is quite rare in modern spoken Spanish and is mostly seen in literature or legal documents.

Formation:

The future perfect subjunctive is formed using the future subjunctive of haber (the auxiliary verb) plus the past participle of the main verb.

Future Perfect Subjunctive:

Haber in future subjunctive + past participle of the main verb

Example:

Que tú hayas llegado a tiempo. – That you may have arrived on time.
Ojalá que nosotros hayamos terminado para cuando lleguen. – I hope that we have finished by the time they arrive.

Note: The future perfect subjunctive is rarely used today, but it can appear in more formal, old-fashioned, or literary contexts.

End of Module 20: Review

By the end of this module, you will have an understanding of how to use the subjunctive in future contexts to express doubt, uncertainty, hopes, and predictions. You will be familiar with common phrases that trigger the subjunctive, and you’ll know how to apply it correctly in various real-life situations.