Learning the subjunctive mood in Spanish is often a challenging task for language learners. It requires a strong understanding of verb conjugations, as well as the ability to recognize when to use it in sentences. One verb that often appears in the subjunctive is sentir, which means “to feel” or “to sense.” The sentir subjunctive form is frequently used when expressing emotions, doubts, desires, or uncertainty.
In this article, we will dive into the use of sentir in the subjunctive, focusing on its conjugations, when to use it, and how to form sentences correctly. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use sentir in the subjunctive mood in various contexts.
1. Conjugating Sentir in the Subjunctive Mood
The first step in mastering the sentir subjunctive is understanding how to conjugate it. Sentir is an irregular verb, which means it doesn’t follow the typical conjugation patterns of regular verbs. Irregular verbs tend to have unique stem changes, and sentir is no exception.
Let’s begin by looking at the conjugation of sentir in the present subjunctive tense.
a. Present Subjunctive Conjugation of Sentir
In the present subjunctive, sentir undergoes a stem change. The “e” in the stem changes to “ie” in most forms, but in the nosotros and vosotros forms, the stem change reverts back to “e.”
Here is the conjugation of sentir in the present subjunctive:
- Yo sienta – I feel
- Tú sientas – You feel
- Él/Ella/Usted sienta – He/She/You (formal) feel
- Nosotros/Nosotras sintamos – We feel
- Vosotros/Vosotras sintáis – You all feel (informal, Spain)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes sientan – They/You all feel
b. Imperfect Subjunctive Conjugation of Sentir
The imperfect subjunctive is used to describe past actions or events that were hypothetical, uncertain, or dependent on something else. The conjugation of sentir in the imperfect subjunctive involves using one of two possible endings (-ra or -se). Both forms are correct, though the “-ra” form is more commonly used.
Here is the conjugation of sentir in the imperfect subjunctive (using the -ra ending):
- Yo sintiera – I felt
- Tú sintieras – You felt
- Él/Ella/Usted sintiera – He/She/You (formal) felt
- Nosotros/Nosotras sintiéramos – We felt
- Vosotros/Vosotras sintierais – You all felt (informal, Spain)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes sintieran – They/You all felt
Alternatively, with the “-se” ending:
- Yo sintiese
- Tú sintieses
- Él/Ella/Usted sintiese
- Nosotros/Nosotras sintiésemos
- Vosotros/Vosotras sintieseis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes sintiesen
c. Future Subjunctive Conjugation of Sentir
Although the future subjunctive is rarely used in modern Spanish, it can still appear in legal or formal documents. The future subjunctive of sentir is as follows:
- Yo sintiere
- Tú sintieres
- Él/Ella/Usted sintiere
- Nosotros/Nosotras sintiéremos
- Vosotros/Vosotras sintiereis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes sintieren
This form is rarely encountered in everyday conversation and has largely been replaced by the present or imperfect subjunctive in modern usage.
2. When to Use Sentir in the Subjunctive Mood
Now that you know how to conjugate sentir in the subjunctive, the next step is understanding when to use the sentir subjunctive. The subjunctive mood is generally used to express actions, thoughts, or emotions that are uncertain, hypothetical, or dependent on something else. Specifically, sentir in the subjunctive is often used in the following contexts:
a. Expressing Emotions and Feelings
One of the primary uses of the subjunctive mood with sentir is to express emotions or feelings about something that may or may not happen, or about a situation that is uncertain. When expressing an emotion or reaction to a situation, sentir is often followed by a que and the subjunctive form of the verb.
For example:
- Siento que no puedas venir a la fiesta.
(I feel bad that you can’t come to the party.) - Sienten que el proyecto no vaya a funcionar.
(They feel that the project is not going to work.)
In these cases, the subjunctive is used because the situations being discussed are either uncertain or hypothetical.
b. Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty
The sentir subjunctive can also be used when expressing doubt or uncertainty about a situation. This typically happens when you want to indicate that you’re not sure about the outcome or the reality of a certain event.
For example:
- Siento que no tengamos suficientes recursos para completar el trabajo.
(I feel that we might not have enough resources to complete the job.) - Siente que la decisión que tomaron no sea la correcta.
(He feels that the decision they made may not be the right one.)
In these examples, the subjunctive is used to convey uncertainty about the availability of resources or the correctness of a decision.
c. Desires and Hopes
Another context in which the subjunctive form of sentir is used is when expressing desires, hopes, or wishes. When someone is talking about their hopes or expectations for an uncertain or unrealized future event, the subjunctive is appropriate.
For example:
- Siento que ellos encuentren lo que buscan.
(I hope that they find what they are looking for.) - Siente que pronto recibas buenas noticias.
(He hopes that you receive good news soon.)
In these examples, sentir expresses hope or desire for something that has not yet happened and may be uncertain.
d. Hypothetical or Conditional Situations
In hypothetical or conditional situations where sentir is used to describe what someone would feel if something happened (or didn’t happen), the imperfect subjunctive form of the verb is used.
For example:
- Sentiría que las cosas fueran diferentes si hubiera tomado otra decisión.
(I would feel that things would be different if I had made a different decision.) - Sienten que si no tuvieran ayuda, no podrían terminar a tiempo.
(They feel that if they didn’t have help, they wouldn’t be able to finish on time.)
These examples demonstrate how the subjunctive is used when discussing hypothetical scenarios, where the outcome is unknown or dependent on other factors.
3. Common Mistakes When Using Sentir in the Subjunctive
As with any complex grammar topic, using sentir in the subjunctive can lead to mistakes, especially for language learners. Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Confusing indicative and subjunctive moods: Learners often struggle to know when to use the subjunctive versus the indicative. The indicative is used for facts and certainties, while the subjunctive is used for doubts, emotions, or hypothetical situations.
- Forgetting the stem change: In the present subjunctive of sentir, the stem changes to sient- in all forms except for nosotros and vosotros, which revert to sint-.
- Using the subjunctive incorrectly in certain expressions: Not every sentence with sentir requires the subjunctive. For example, when sentir is used to express a factual statement or certainty, the indicative should be used instead.
Conclusion
Mastering the sentir subjunctive is essential for fluency in Spanish, especially when discussing emotions, desires, and hypothetical situations. Understanding the conjugation rules and knowing when to use the subjunctive form of sentir will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in a nuanced and accurate manner. By practicing conjugations and familiarizing yourself with the contexts in which sentir in the subjunctive is used, you can confidently use this verb in everyday conversation.
