Subjunctive / Subjuntivo

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AP Spanish Language and Culture › Subjunctive / Subjuntivo

Questions 1 - 7
1

What is grammatically incorrect about this sentence?

No creo que ellas pueden resolver los problemas.

The second verb is in the incorrect form.

The definite article in the sentence is incorrect.

The tense of the first verb is incorrect

The third verb shouldn't be an infinitive.

There is an "a" missing.

Explanation

The correct answer is that the second verb in the sentence "pueden" is incorrect. Since the sentence is expressing a doubt, the subjunctive mood must be used. Instead of "pueden," "puedan" is used.

2

Is there a grammatical error in this sentence?

Es increíble que hace algo tan malo.

Hace should be in its subjunctive form, haga.

The sentence is correct.

Es should be in its subjunctive form, sea.

The adjective malo is in the wrong gender.

Explanation

This is a classic impersonal statement expressing doubt or opinion, meaning that the verb following the impersonal statement, hace, should be in its subjunctive form, haga.

3

Fill in the blank with the correct answer.

No vengo a menos que __________ ellos.

vengan

vienen

venir

vinieron

vendrían

Explanation

"a menos que" is an adverbial subjunctive clause that takes the subjunctive and not the indicative. Knowing this we may identify the correct form of the verb as "vengan," the 3rd person plural present sunjunctive.

4

Which verb form is grammatically correct?

Es increíble que una persona tan perezosa __________ tener tanto éxito.

pueda

puedo

podía

None of the other answers are correct.

Explanation

An impersonal statement, such as this one, may be completed by the subjunctive mood. All other options are incorrect either in mood, tense, or number.

English translation: "It is incredible that such a lazy person could be so successful."

5

What kind of grammatical error appears in this sentence?

Es mejor que completas la tarea ahora.

The second verb is in the wrong mood.

The first verb is in the wrong person.

The second verb is in the wrong tense.

Nothing is wrong with the sentence.

Explanation

Impersonal statements require verbs to be in the subjunctive mood. The sentence's second verb "completas" (from completar) is in the indicative mood, making it incorrect. To correct the sentence, one would need to replace "completas" with "completes," the second-person present subjunctive form of the verb completar.

English translation: "It would be better if you were to complete your homework now."

6

Which verb best completes the sentence?

Puedes descansarte cuando __________ al hotel, pero ahora tenemos que andar.

lleguemos

llegabamos

llegar

llegando

Explanation

The present subjunctive form is necessary here, as we have not yet arrived; thus there is still doubt over when, or if, we will.

7

What is grammatically incorrect in the following sentence?

Es importante que todos los estudiantes estudian este fin de semana.

The agreement of the possessive adjective with the noun

The mood used in the subordinate clause

The agreement between the subject and verb

All of the above are incorrect.

Explanation

The conjugation of “estudiar” in the subordinate clause is incorrect because the main clause triggers the use of the present subjunctive mood; therefore, the correct form should be "estudien."

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