This lesson derives the present subjunctive from the present yo form: remove its final -o, then add the opposite-vowel endings.
The pattern
For -ar verbs use -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en. For -er and -ir verbs use -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. This includes regular yo forms and the stem changes they carry.
A derived-form example
pensar in Presente de Subjuntivo
Spelling changes
An -ar verb keeps the sound of its stem before the e endings: -car becomes -que (practicar → practique), -gar becomes -gue (llegar → llegue), and -zar becomes -ce (empezar → empiece).
The nosotros form
An -ir verb that changes its stem changes it in nosotros and vosotros as well. An -ar or -er verb keeps the plain stem there.
| Verb | yo | nosotros |
|---|---|---|
| pedir | pida | pidamos |
| sentir | sienta | sintamos |
| dormir | duerma | durmamos |
| volver | vuelva | volvamos |