To talk about wishes and doubts in Spanish, you need to learn about something called the subjunctive mood. Let’s make this easy to understand!

1. How to Change Verbs to Present Subjunctive

To use the present subjunctive, you start with the “yo” (I) form of the verb in the present tense. Then, take off the -o at the end and add the new endings. Here’s a simple guide for regular verbs:

• For -AR Verbs: e, es, e, emos, éis, en
• For -ER/-IR Verbs: a, as, a, amos, áis, an

Examples:

• Hablar (to speak): hable, hables, hable, hablemos, habléis, hablen
• Comer (to eat): coma, comas, coma, comamos, comáis, coman
• Vivir (to live): viva, vivas, viva, vivamos, viváis, vivan

Some verbs are a bit tricky. They don’t follow the usual rules. Here are some examples:

• Ser (to be): sea, seas, sea, seamos, seáis, sean
• Ir (to go): vaya, vayas, vaya, vayamos, vayáis, vayan
• Saber (to know): sepa, sepas, sepa, sepamos, sepáis, sepan

2. Talking About Wishes and Doubts

When you want to express wishes or doubts, you often use the subjunctive mood. Here’s how to put together the sentence:

Main Clause + 'que' + Subjunctive Clause

Wishes:

• Ojalá que (I hope that): Ojalá que empecemos la reunión a tiempo. (I hope we start the meeting on time.)
• Desear (to wish): Deseo que vengas a la fiesta. (I wish you would come to the party.)

Doubts:

• Dudar (to doubt): Dudo que él tenga suficiente tiempo. (I doubt that he has enough time.)
• No creer (not to believe): No creo que ella entienda la tarea. (I don’t believe she understands the homework.)

3. Using Conditional for What-If Situations

If you want to talk about “what could happen,” use the conditional tense. You keep the whole verb and add these endings:

• Endings: ía, ías, ía, íamos, íais, ían

Examples:

• Hablar: hablaría, hablarías, hablaría, hablaríamos, hablaríais, hablarían (I would speak...)
• Comer: comería, comerías, comería, comeríamos, comeríais, comerían (I would eat...)

4. Knowing When to Use 'Ser' and 'Estar'

• Ser is used for things that stay the same (like traits).
  Example: Ella es alta. (She is tall.)
• Estar is used for temporary states or feelings.
  Example: Ella está cansada. (She is tired.)

5. Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns

Pronouns are words that replace nouns:

• Direct Object Pronouns: me, te, lo/la, nos, os, los/las
• Indirect Object Pronouns: me, te, le, nos, os, les

Examples:

• Direct: La vi. (I saw her.)
• Indirect: Le di el libro. (I gave him the book.)

6. Using Passive Voice

For sentences that show the action done to someone else, use ser with the past participle:
Example: La carta fue escrita por Juan. (The letter was written by Juan.)

7. Reflexive Verbs

Reflexive verbs mean that the action is done to yourself. They use special pronouns:
Me, te, se, nos, os, se

Example: Me lavo las manos. (I wash my hands.)

8. Adverbial Clauses

To connect ideas, you can use words like cuando (when) or aunque (although):
Example: Haremos la tarea cuando lleguemos a casa. (We will do the homework when we get home.)

9. Matching Adjectives and Nouns

Make sure adjectives fit nouns in gender and number:

• El coche rojo (The red car)
• Las casas rojas (The red houses)

10. Asking Questions with Interrogative Words

Use question words to ask things clearly:

• ¿Qué? (What?)
• ¿Dónde? (Where?)
• ¿Por qué? (Why?)

By focusing on these points, you can express wishes and doubts in Spanish using the subjunctive mood. This will help you get better at talking in Spanish!