Chapter 40: El Presente de Subjuntivo - Verbos Irregulares - Present Subjunctive - Irregular Verbs

Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Conjugate the "DISHES" verbs (Dar, Ir, Ser, Haber, Estar, Saber) in the Present Subjunctive.
• Understand how stem-changing -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs form their Present Subjunctive.
• Recognize and form the Present Subjunctive for other common irregular verbs.

Introduction/Warm-up

Irregular verbs in the subjunctive often have unique stems or spelling changes that don't follow the "yo form, drop -o, add opposite ending" rule perfectly. Memorization and practice are key!

(Optional Review): What are the present subjunctive endings for -AR verbs? (-e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en). And for -ER/-IR verbs? (-a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an). These endings will still be used with some irregular stems.

Presentation of New Material: Irregular Verbs in the Present Subjunctive

The "DISHES" Verbs - Totally Irregular

These six verbs are completely irregular in the Present Subjunctive and must be memorized. The acronym DISHES can help you remember them: Dar, Ir, Ser, Haber, Estar, Saber.

Stem-Changing Verbs in the Present Subjunctive

Verbs that have stem changes in the Present Indicative (e.g., e:ie, o:ue, e:i) generally maintain these stem changes in most forms of the Present Subjunctive, but with some patterns:

• -AR and -ER stem-changing verbs (e:ie, o:ue): Change in all forms except nosotros and vosotros (the "boot" or "shoe" verbs).
  querer (e:ie) - to want: que yo quiera, que tú quieras, que él quiera, que nosotros queramos, que vosotros queráis, que ellos quieran.
  poder (o:ue) - to be able: que yo pueda, que tú puedas, que él pueda, que nosotros podamos, que vosotros podáis, que ellos puedan.
• -IR stem-changing verbs (e:ie, o:ue, e:i): These are a bit more complex.
  • Verbs like sentir (e:ie, e:i): que yo sienta, ... nosotros sintamos, vosotros sintáis... (e → ie in boot, e → i in nos/vos)
  • Verbs like dormir (o:ue, o:u): que yo duerma, ... nosotros durmamos, vosotros durmáis... (o → ue in boot, o → u in nos/vos)
  • Verbs like pedir (e:i, e:i): que yo pida, ... nosotros pidamos, vosotros pidáis... (e → i in all forms)

For now, focus on recognizing the DISHES verbs. We will practice stem-changers more as we encounter them with specific WEIRDO triggers.

Other Common Irregularities (Derived from Irregular "yo" form)

Many verbs that are irregular only in the "yo" form of the present indicative (e.g., -go verbs, -zco verbs) will carry that irregularity into all forms of their present subjunctive stem.

• Tener (yo tengo → teng-): que yo tenga, tengas, tenga, tengamos, tengáis, tengan.
• Venir (yo vengo → veng-): que yo venga, vengas, venga, vengamos, vengáis, vengan.
• Decir (yo digo → dig-): que yo diga, digas, diga, digamos, digáis, digan.
• Poner (yo pongo → pong-): que yo ponga, pongas, ponga, pongamos, pongáis, pongan.
• Salir (yo salgo → salg-): que yo salga, salgas, salga, salgamos, salgáis, salgan.
• Conocer (yo conozco → conozc-): que yo conozca, conozcas, conozca, conozcamos, conozcáis, conozcan.

Practice Activities

Recognition Practice:

Production Practice:

Cultural Insight: The Subjunctive in Polite Formality and Common Phrases

Many of the irregular subjunctive verbs you're learning in this chapter, particularly the "DISHES" verbs like ser, estar, dar, ir, and saber, are fundamental to expressing politeness and formality in Spanish-speaking cultures. For instance, very polite requests or wishes often employ these verbs in the subjunctive: "Que le vaya bien" (May it go well for you / Have a good one) is a common well-wishing phrase. "Espero que esté usted cómodo" (I hope you are comfortable) uses the subjunctive of 'estar' in a formal context.

Furthermore, these irregular subjunctive forms appear in countless fixed expressions and common sayings that are woven into the fabric of daily conversation. Phrases like "¡Ojalá (que) sea verdad!" (I hope it's true!) or "No creo que lo sepa" (I don't think he/she knows it) are integral to natural-sounding Spanish. Recognizing these irregulars in the subjunctive is key not just for grammar, but for understanding the subtle ways native speakers express wishes, doubts, and polite intentions, which are deeply cultural.

Review and Consolidation

Key Irregular Verbs (Present Subjunctive):

Memorize the DISHES: Dar (dé, des...), Ir (vaya...), Ser (sea...), Haber (haya...), Estar (esté...), Saber (sepa...). Understand stem changes for verbs like querer (quiera), poder (pueda), dormir (duerma/durmamos), pedir (pida). Understand "yo-form" irregularities carrying through: tener (tenga), venir (venga), decir (diga), poner (ponga), salir (salga), conocer (conozca).

Self-Assessment:

• Can you conjugate "ser" and "ir" in the present subjunctive?
• Can you conjugate "estar" and "dar" in the present subjunctive?
• Can you conjugate "tener" and "hacer" (not DISHES, but common irregular) in the present subjunctive?
• Can you explain the basic pattern for -IR stem-changing verbs in the nosotros/vosotros subjunctive?

Looking Ahead

¡Felicidades! You've now covered the formation of the Present Subjunctive for regular verbs and the most common irregular verbs. This is a significant achievement! In the upcoming chapters, we will finally start putting these forms into practice by learning how to use them with the "WEIRDO" triggers (Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal Expressions, Recommendations, Doubt, Ojalá). This is where the subjunctive truly comes to life in communication.