Editing Subjunctive mood (section)

===Latin and the Romance languages===

====Latin====
{{Further|Latin syntax#The subjunctive mood}}

The Latin subjunctive has many uses, contingent upon the nature of a [[clause]] within a sentence:<ref>''Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar'', §438. Dover Publications, 2006. Print.</ref>

Within [[independent clauses]]:
*[[Hortative|Exhortation or command]]
*Concession
*[[Optative mood|Wish]]
*Question of doubt
*Possibility or contingency

Within [[dependent clauses]]:
*Condition
*Purpose
*Characteristic
*Result
*Time
*[[Content clause#Interrogative content clauses|Indirect questions]]

Historically, the Latin subjunctive originates from the ancestral [[Optative mood|optative inflections]], while some of the original subjunctive forms went on to compose the Latin [[future tense]], especially in the Latin third conjugation.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} The *''-i-'' of the old optative forms manifests itself in the fact that the Latin subjunctives typically have a [[high vowel]] even when the indicative mood has a lower vowel; for example, Latin ''rogamus'', "we ask", in the indicative mood, corresponds to the subjunctive ''rogemus'', "let us ask", where ''e'' is a higher vowel than ''a''.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Latin present subjunctive forms
|-
!Conjugation!!1st!!2nd!!3rd<ref>"Languages: Latin: curro." Verbix. N.p., 2010. Web. 22 Mar. 2010. <{{cite web |url=http://www.verbix.com/webverbix/go.php?T1=curro&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0&D1=9&H1=109 |title=Latin verb 'curro' conjugated |access-date=2010-03-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605111359/http://www.verbix.com/webverbix/go.php?T1=curro&imageField.x=0&imageField.y=0&D1=9&H1=109 |archive-date=2011-06-05 }}>.</ref>!!3rd<sup>IO</sup>!!4th
|-
! 1st singular
| {{lang|la|rogem}} || {{lang|la|habeam}} || {{lang|la|curram}} || {{lang|la|excipiam}} || {{lang|la|veniam}}
|-
! 2nd singular
| {{lang|la|roges}} || {{lang|la|habeas}} || {{lang|la|curras}} || {{lang|la|excipias}} || {{lang|la|venias}}
|-
! 3rd singular
| {{lang|la|roget}} || {{lang|la|habeat}} || {{lang|la|currat}} || {{lang|la|excipiat}} || {{lang|la|veniat}}
|-
! 1st plural
| {{lang|la|rogemus}} || {{lang|la|habeamus}} || {{lang|la|curramus}} || {{lang|la|excipiamus}} || {{lang|la|veniamus}}
|-
! 2nd plural
| {{lang|la|rogetis}} || {{lang|la|habeatis}} || {{lang|la|curratis}} || {{lang|la|excipiatis}} || {{lang|la|veniatis}}
|-
! 3rd plural
| {{lang|la|rogent}} || {{lang|la|habeant}} || {{lang|la|currant}} || {{lang|la|excipiant}} || {{lang|la|veniant}}
|}

The subjunctive mood retains a highly distinct form for nearly all verbs in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and [[Italian language|Italian]] (among other [[Romance languages]]), and for a number of verbs in [[French language|French]].  All of these languages inherit their subjunctive from Latin, where the subjunctive mood combines both forms and usages from a number of original Indo-European inflection sets, including the original subjunctive and the [[optative mood]].

In many cases, the Romance languages use the subjunctive in the same ways that English does; however, they use them in other ways as well. For example, English generally uses the auxiliary 'may' or 'let' to form [[desiderative]] expressions, such as "Let it snow". The Romance languages use the subjunctive for these; French, for example, says, {{lang|fr|Qu'il neige}} and {{lang|fr|Qu'ils vivent jusqu'à leur vieillesse}}. However, in the case of the first-person plural, these languages have imperative forms: "Let us go" in French is {{lang|fr|Allons-y}}. In addition, the Romance languages tend to use the subjunctive in various kinds of subordinate clauses, such as those introduced by words meaning ''although'', e.g. English: "Although I am old, I feel young"; French: {{lang|fr|Bien que je sois vieux, je me sens jeune.}}

In Spanish, phrases with words like {{lang|es|lo que}} (that which, what), {{lang|es|quien}} (who), or {{lang|es|donde}} (where) and subjunctive verb forms are often translated to English with some variation of "whatever" or sometimes an indefinite pronoun. Spanish {{lang|es|lo que sea}}, which is, by a literal interpretation, along the lines of "the thing which is", is translated as English "whatever" or "anything"; similarly, Spanish {{lang|es|donde sea}} is English "wherever" and Spanish {{lang|es|quien sea}} is English "whoever". For example, Spanish {{lang|es|lo que quieras}}, literally "that which you want", is translated as English "whatever you may want"; Spanish {{lang|es|cueste lo que cueste}} is translated to English as "whatever it may cost"; and Spanish {{lang|es|donde vayas, voy}} is translated to English as "wherever you go, I go". The acronym W.E.I.R.D.O, is commonly used by English-speaking students of Spanish to learn the subjunctive. It ''usually'' stands for Wish Emotion Impersonal Expressions Recommendations Doubt Ojalá. With the exception of ''negative commands,'' the subjunctive is always activated in the second clause, when a situation of "W.E.I.R.D.O" is present.

====French====
{{Main|French verbs}}'''Present and past subjunctives'''

The subjunctive is used mostly with verbs or adverbs expressing desire, doubt or eventuality; it may also express an order. It is almost always preceded by the conjunction {{nowrap|{{lang|fr|que}}}} ({{nowrap|that}}).

Use of the subjunctive is in many respects similar to English:
* [[Jussive mood|Jussive]] (issuing orders, commanding, or exhorting): {{lang|fr|Il faut qu’il '''comprenne''' cela}} ("It is necessary that he ''understand'' that")
* Desiderative: {{lang|fr|Vive la république!}} ("Long ''live'' the republic!")

Sometimes it is not:
* Desiderative: ''{{lang|fr|Que la lumière soit!}}'' ("''Let'' there ''be'' light!")
* In certain subordinate clauses:
** {{lang|fr|Bien que ce soit mon anniversaire}}: ("Even though it ''is'' my birthday") (although English does introduce a similar subjunctive element in an alternative: "It ''might'' be my birthday, but I am working"
** {{lang|fr|Avant que je ne m’en aille}} ("Before I ''go'' away")

{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" style="vertical-align:top" | English
! scope="col" colspan="2" | French
|-
| It is important that she ''speak''. (''subjunctive'')
| {{lang|fr|Il est important qu'elle parle}}
|-
| That the book ''pleases'' you does not surprise me. (''indicative'')
| {{lang|fr|Que le livre te plaise ne me surprend pas.}}
|- style="text-align:center"
|
| present subjunctive
|}

French uses a past subjunctive, equivalent in tense to the {{lang|fr|passé composé}} in the indicative mood, called "{{lang|fr|passé du subjonctif}}". It is the only other subjunctive tense used in modern-day conversational French. It is formed with the auxiliary {{lang|fr|être}} or {{lang|fr|avoir}} and the past participle of the verb. Unlike other Romance languages, such as Spanish, it is not always necessary that the preceding clause be in the past to trigger the {{lang|fr|passé du subjonctif}} in the subordinate clause:

{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" style="vertical-align:top" | English
! scope="col" colspan="2" | French
|-
| It is important that she ''have spoken''. (''subjunctive'')
| {{lang|fr|Il est important qu'elle ait parlé.}}
|-
| That the book ''pleased'' you does not surprise me. (''indicative'')
| {{lang|fr|Que le livre t'ait plu ne me surprend pas.}}
|- style="text-align:center"
|
| past subjunctive
|}
'''Imperfect and pluperfect subjunctives'''

French also has an imperfect subjunctive, which in older, formal, or literary writing, replaces the present subjunctive in a subordinate clause when the main clause is in a past tense (including in the [[So-called conditional|French conditional]], which is morphologically a future-in-the-past): 
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top" | English
! scope="col" colspan="2" | French
|-
! scope="col" | modern spoken
! scope="col" | older, formal, or literary
|-
| It was necessary that he ''speak''
| {{lang|fr|Il était nécessaire qu’il parle}}
| {{lang|fr|Il était nécessaire qu’il parlât}}
|-
| I feared that he ''act'' so.
| {{lang|fr|Je craignais qu'il agisse ainsi}}
| {{lang|fr|Je craignais qu'il agît ainsi}}
|-
| I would want him to ''do'' it.
| {{lang|fr|Je voudrais qu’il le fasse}}
| {{lang|fr|Je voudrais qu’il le fît}}
|- style="text-align:center"
|
| present subjunctive
| imperfect subjunctive
|}
{{Hidden|Example quotes|
{{blockquote|Pour une brave dame, / Monsieur, qui vous honore, et de toute son âme<br />Voudrait que vous vinssiez, à ma sommation, / Lui faire un petit mot de réparation.|[[Jean Racine]] (1669), ''[[Les Plaideurs]]'', 2.4.16–19}}
{{blockquote|[...] je voudrais que vous vinssiez une fois à Berlin pour y rester, et que vous eussiez la force de soustraire votre légère nacelle aux bourrasques et aux vents qui l'ont battue si souvent en France.|''Œuvres complètes de Voltaire'' (1828), Paris, page 595}}
{{blockquote|J'aimerais qu'ils fissent leur début comme sous-maîtres dans les écoles importantes.|Théodore Henri Barrau (1842), ''De l'éducation morale de la jeunesse'', page 191}}
{{blockquote|Je craignais que vous ne voulussiez pas me recevoir.|[[Eugène Sue]] (1847), ''Martin et Bamboche'', 3.3.7}}
}}

Similarly, pluperfect subjunctive replace past subjunctive in same context:
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="vertical-align:top" | English
! scope="col" colspan="2" | French
|-
! scope="col" | modern spoken
! scope="col" | older, formal, or literary
|-
| It was necessary that you ''have spoken''
| {{lang|fr|Il était nécessaire que tu aies parlé}}
| {{lang|fr|Il était nécessaire que tu eusses parlé}}
|-
| I regretted that you ''had acted'' so.
| {{lang|fr|Je regrettais que tu aies agi ainsi}}
| {{lang|fr|Je regrettais que tu eusses agi ainsi}}
|-
| I would have liked you to ''have done'' it.
| {{lang|fr|J'aurais aimé que tu l'aies fait}}
| {{lang|fr|J'aurais aimé que tu l'eusses fait}}
|- style="text-align:center"
| 
| past subjunctive
| pluperfect subjunctive
|}
{{Hidden|Example quotes|
{{blockquote|Ma lettre, à laquelle vous venez de répondre, à fait un effet bien différent que je n'attendois : elle vous a fait partir, et moi je comptois qu'elle vous feroit rester jusqu'à ce que vous eussiez reçu des nouvelles du départ de mon manuscrit ; au moins étoit-ce le sens littéral et spirituel de ma lettre.|[[Montesquieu]], ''Lettres familières'', 18}}
}}

====Italian====
The [[Italian grammar#Subjunctive mood|Italian subjunctive]] ({{lang|it|congiuntivo}}) is commonly used, although, especially in the spoken language, it is sometimes substituted by the indicative.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/cultura/16_dicembre_11/francesco-sabatini-linguistica-filologo-libro-mondadori-accademia-crusca-congiuntivo-17dc905c-bfbd-11e6-ab31-2a5a06e0ce0a.shtml|title=Congiuntivo in calo, nessun dramma. La Crusca: la lingua è natura, si evolve|last=STEFANO|first=PAOLO DI|date=2016-11-12|website=Corriere della Sera|language=it|access-date=2020-01-08|archive-date=2024-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829212619/https://www.corriere.it/cultura/16_dicembre_11/francesco-sabatini-linguistica-filologo-libro-mondadori-accademia-crusca-congiuntivo-17dc905c-bfbd-11e6-ab31-2a5a06e0ce0a.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

The subjunctive is used mainly in subordinate clauses following a set phrase or conjunction, such as {{lang|it|benché}}, {{lang|it|senza che}}, {{lang|it|prima che}}, or {{lang|it|perché}}. It is also used with verbs of doubt, possibility and expressing an opinion or desire, for example with {{lang|it|credo che}}, {{lang|it|è possibile che}} and {{lang|it|ritengo che}}, and sometimes with superlatives and virtual superlatives.
* English: I believe (that) she {{lang|it|is}} the best.
* Italian: {{lang|it|(Io) credo (che) (ella/lei) sia la migliore.}}

Differently from the French subjunctive, the Italian one is used after expressions like {{lang|it|Penso che}} ("I think that"), where in French the indicative would be used. However, it is also possible to use the subjunctive after the expression {{lang|fr|Je ne pense pas que...}} ("I don't think that..."), and in questions like {{lang|fr|Penses-tu que...}} ("Do you think that..."), even though the indicative forms can be correct, too.

=====Present subjunctive=====
The present subjunctive is similar to, but still mostly distinguishable from, the present indicative. Subject pronouns are often used with the present subjunctive where they are normally omitted in the indicative, since in the first, second and third person singular forms they are the same, so the person is not implicitly implied from the verb. Irregular verbs tend to follow the first person singular form, such as the present subjunctive forms of {{lang|it|andare}}, which goes to {{lang|it|vada}} etc. (first person singular form is {{lang|it|vado}}).

The present subjunctive is used in a range of situations in clauses taking the subjunctive.
* English: "It is possible that they have to leave."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|È possibile che debbano partire.}}"
* English: "My parents want me to play the piano."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|I miei genitori vogliono che io suoni il pianoforte.}}"

The present subjunctive is used mostly in subordinate clauses, as in the examples above. However, exceptions include imperatives using the subjunctive (using the third person), and general statements of desire.
* English: "Be careful!"
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Stia attento!}}"
* English: "Long live the republic!"
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Viva la repubblica!}}"

=====Imperfect subjunctive=====
The Italian imperfect subjunctive is very similar in appearance to (but used much more in speech than) the French imperfect subjunctive, and forms are largely regular, apart from the verbs {{lang|it|essere, dare}} and {{lang|it|stare}} (which go to {{lang|it|fossi, dessi}} and {{lang|it|stessi}} etc.). However, unlike in French, where it is often replaced with the present subjunctive, the imperfect subjunctive is far more common. Verbs with a contracted infinitive, such as {{lang|it|dire}} (short for {{lang|it|dicere}}) revert to the longer form in the imperfect subjunctive (to give {{lang|it|dicessi}} etc., for example).

The imperfect subjunctive is used in subordinate clauses taking the subjunctive where the sense of the verb requires the imperfect.
* English: "It seemed that Elsa ''was not coming''."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Sembrava che Elsa non venisse.}}"
* English: "The teacher slowed down, so that we ''would understand'' everything."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|L’insegnante rallentava, affinché capissimo tutto.}}"

The imperfect subjunctive is used in "if" clauses, where the main clause is in the conditional tense, as in English and German.
* English: "If I ''had'' a lot of money, I would buy many cars."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Se avessi molti soldi, comprerei tante automobili.}}"
* English: "You would know if we ''were lying''."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Sapresti se mentissimo.}}"

=====Perfect and pluperfect subjunctives=====
The perfect and pluperfect subjunctives are formed much like the indicative perfect and pluperfect, except the auxiliary (either {{lang|it|avere}} or {{lang|it|essere}}) verb takes the present and imperfect subjunctive respectively.

They are used in subordinate clauses which require the subjunctive, where the sense of the verb requires use of the perfect or pluperfect.
* English: "Although they ''had'' not ''killed'' the doctor, the police arrested the men."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Benché non avessero ucciso il medico, la polizia arrestò gli uomini.}}"
* English: "I would have done it, provided you ''had helped'' me."
* Italian: "{{lang|it|Lo avrei fatto, purché tu mi avessi assistito.}}"

====Spanish====
{{Main|Subjunctive mood in Spanish}}
The subjunctive mood ({{lang|es|subjuntivo}}) is a fundamental element of Spanish. Its spoken form makes use of it to a much larger degree than other Latin languages and it is in no case homonymous to any other mood. Furthermore, it is common to find long complex sentences almost entirely in the subjunctive.

The subjunctive is used in conjunction with impersonal expressions and expressions of emotion, opinion, desire or viewpoint. More importantly, it applies to most hypothetical situations, likely or unlikely, desired or not. Normally, only certitude of (or statement of) a fact will remove the possibility of its use. Unlike French, it is also used in phrases expressing the past conditional. The negative of the imperative shares the same form with the present subjunctive.

Common introductions to the subjunctive would include the following:
* {{lang|es|que...}} or {{lang|es|de que...}} as in {{lang|es|que sea}} (present subjunctive) {{lang|es|lo que Dios quiera}} (present subjunctive): "Let it be what God wills".
* {{lang|es|Si...}}: "If.." (e.g. {{lang|es|si estuvieras}}: "if you were...")
* {{lang|es|Donde}}: "Where.." (e.g. {{lang|es|donde sea}}, "anywhere")
* {{lang|es|Cuando}}: "When.." (referring to a future time, e.g. {{lang|es|cuando vaya}}, "when I go")
* {{lang|es|Aunque}}: "Despite/although/even if..."
* {{lang|es|Ojalá...}} "I hope..." (derived from Arabic {{langx|ar|إن شاء ألله|in šāʾ ʾallāh|God willing|label=none}}) e.g. {{lang|es|Ojalá que llueva}} (present subjunctive) "I hope it rains" or {{lang|es|Ojalá que lloviera}} (past subjunctive) "I wish it would rain".

Nevertheless, the subjunctive can stand alone to supplant other tenses.

For example, "I would like" can be said in the conditional {{lang|es|Querría}} or in the past subjunctive {{lang|es|Quisiera}}, as in {{lang|es|Quisiera}} (past subjunctive) {{lang|es|que vinieras}} (past subjunctive), i.e. "I would like you to come".

Comfort with the subjunctive form and the degree to which a second-language speaker attempts to avoid its use can be an indicator of the level of proficiency in the language. Complex use of the subjunctive is a constant pattern of everyday speech among native speakers but difficult to interiorize even by relatively proficient Spanish learners (e.g. I would have liked you to come on Thursday: {{lang|es|Me habría gustado}} (conditional perfect) {{lang|es|que vinieras}} (past subjunctive) {{lang|es|el jueves.}}

An example of the subtlety of the Spanish subjunctive is the way the tense (past, present or future) modifies the expression "be it as it may" (literally "be what it be"):
* {{lang|es|Sea lo que sea}} (present subjunctive + present subjunctive): "No matter what/whatever."
* {{lang|es|Sea lo que fuera}} (present subjunctive + past subjunctive): "Whatever it were."
* {{lang|es|Fuera lo que fuera}} (past subjunctive + past subjunctive): (Similar meaning to above).
* {{lang|es|Sea lo que fuere}}. (Present subjunctive + future subjunctive): "Whatever it may be."
* {{lang|es|Fuera lo que hubiera sido}}. (Past subjunctive + past pluperfect subjunctive): "Whatever/no matter what it may have been".

The same alterations could be made to the expression {{lang|es|Sea como sea}} or "no matter how" with similar changes in meaning.

Spanish has two past subjunctive forms. They are almost identical, except that where the "first form" has {{lang|es|-ra-}}, the "second form" has {{lang|es|-se-}}. Both forms are usually interchangeable although the {{lang|es|-se-}} form may be more common in Spain than in other Spanish-speaking areas. The {{lang|es|-ra-}} forms may also be used as an alternative to the conditional in certain structures.

'''Present subjunctive'''

In Spanish, a present subjunctive form is always different from the corresponding present indicative form. For example, whereas English "that they speak" or French {{lang|fr|qu'ils parlent}} can be either indicative or subjunctive, Spanish {{lang|es|que hablen}} is unambiguously subjunctive. (The corresponding indicative would be {{lang|es|que habl<u>a</u>n}}.) The same is true for all verbs, regardless of their subject.

When to use:
* When there are two clauses, separated by {{lang|es|que}}. However, not all {{lang|es|que}} clauses require the subjunctive mood. They must have at least one of the following criteria:
* As the fourth edition of {{lang|es|Mosaicos}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2022}} states, when the verb of the main clause expresses emotion (e.g. fear, happiness, sorrow, etc.)
* Impersonal expressions are used in the main clause. (It is important that...)
* The verb in the second clause is the one that is in subjunctive.

Examples:
* {{lang|es|Ojalá que me compren (comprar) un regalo.}} (I hope that they will buy me a gift.)
* {{lang|es|Te recomiendo que no corras (correr) con tijeras.}} (I recommend that you not run with scissors.)
* {{lang|es|Dudo que el restaurante abra (abrir) a las seis.}} (I doubt that the restaurant might open at six.)
* {{lang|es|Lo discutiremos cuando venga (venir).}} (We will talk about it when he/she comes.)
* {{lang|es|Es importante que (nosotros) hagamos ejercicio.}} (It is important that we exercise.)
* {{lang|es|Me alegro de que (tú) seas mi amiga.}} (I am happy that you are my friend.)

'''Past (imperfect) subjunctive'''

Used interchangeably, the past (imperfect) subjunctive can end either in {{lang|es|-se}} or {{lang|es|-ra}}. Both forms stem from the third-person plural (''ellos, ellas, ustedes'') of the preterite. For example, the verb {{lang|es|estar}}, when conjugated in the third-person plural of the preterite, becomes {{lang|es|estuvieron}}. Then, drop the {{lang|es|-ron}} ending, and add either {{lang|es|-se}} or {{lang|es|-ra}}. Thus, it becomes {{lang|es|estuviese}} or {{lang|es|estuviera}}. The past subjunctive may be used with "if... then" statements with the conditional mood. Example:
* {{lang|es|Si yo fuera/fuese el maestro, no mandaría demasiados deberes.}} (If I ''were'' the teacher, I would not give too much homework.)

'''Future subjunctive'''

In Spanish, the future subjunctive tense is now rare but still used in certain dialects of Spanish and in formal speech. It is usually reserved for literature, [[archaism|archaic]] phrases and expressions, and legal documents. (The form is similar to the {{lang|es|-ra}} form of the imperfect subjunctive, but with a {{lang|es|-re}} ending instead of {{lang|es|-ra}}, {{lang|es|-res}} instead of {{lang|es|-ras}} and so on.) Example:
* {{lang|es|Si así yo no lo hiciere, que Dios y la patria me lo demanden.}} (If I don't do it, may God and the fatherland demand it from me.)

Phrases expressing the subjunctive in a future period normally employ the present subjunctive. For example: "I hope that it ''will rain'' tomorrow" would simply be {{lang|es|Espero que llueva mañana}} (where {{lang|es|llueva}} is the third-person singular present subjunctive of {{lang|es|llover}}, "to rain").

'''Pluperfect (past perfect) subjunctive'''

In Spanish, the pluperfect subjunctive tense is used to describe a continuing wish in the past. {{lang|es|Desearía que (tú) hubieras ido al cine conmigo el viernes pasado.}} (I wish that you had gone to the movies with me last Friday). To form this tense, first the subjunctive form of {{lang|es|haber}} is conjugated (in the example above, {{lang|es|haber}} becomes {{lang|es|hubieras}}). Then the participle of the main verb (in this case is added, {{lang|es|ir}} becomes {{lang|es|ido}}).
* {{lang|es|Me gustaría que 'hubieras ido'/'hubieses ido', pero él suspendió su examen de matemáticas.}} (I would have liked if you ''had gone'', but he failed his math test.)

Though the {{lang|es|-re}} form appears to be more closely related to the imperfect subjunctive {{lang|es|-ra}} form than the {{lang|es|-se}} form, that is not the case. The {{lang|es|-se}} form of the imperfect subjunctive derives from the pluperfect subjunctive of Vulgar Latin and the {{lang|es|-ra}} from the pluperfect indicative, combining to overtake the previous pluperfect subjunctive ending. The {{lang|es|-re}} form is more complicated, stemming (so to speak) from a fusion of the perfect subjunctive and future perfect indicative—which, though in different moods, happened to be identical in the second and third persons—before losing the perfect in the shift to future subjunctive, the same perfect nature that was the only thing the forms originally shared. So the {{lang|es|-ra}} and {{lang|es|-se}} forms always had a past (to be specific, pluperfect) meaning, but only the {{lang|es|-se}} form always belonged with the subjunctive mood that the {{lang|es|-re}} form had since its emergence.<ref name="Wright1931">{{cite journal |first=Leavitt O. |last=Wright |title=The Disappearing Spanish Verb Form in ''-re'' |journal=Hispania |volume=14 |issue=2 |date=1931 |pages=107–114 |publisher=American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese |doi=10.2307/332496 |issn=0018-2133 |jstor=332496 |oclc=5552696109 }}</ref>

====Portuguese====
In Portuguese, as in Spanish, the subjunctive (''subjuntivo'' or ''conjuntivo'') is complex, being generally used to talk about situations which are seen as doubtful, imaginary, hypothetical, demanded, or required. It can also express emotion, opinion, disagreement, denial, or a wish. Its value is similar to the one it has in formal English:

'''Present subjunctive'''
* Command: '' Faça-se luz!'' "Let there be light!"
* Wish: '' Viva o rei!'' "Long live the king!"
* Necessity: ''É importante que ele compreenda isso.'' "It is important that he ''understand'' that."
* In certain, subordinate clauses:
** ''Ainda que seja o meu aniversário...'' "Even though ''it be'' my birthday..."
** ''Antes que eu vá...'' "Before ''I go''..."
'''Imperfect (past) subjunctive'''

As in Spanish, the imperfect subjunctive is in vernacular use, and it is employed, among other things, to make the tense of a subordinate clause [[Agreement (linguistics)|agree]] with the tense of the main clause:
* English: ''It is'' [present indicative] necessary that ''he speak'' [present subjunctive]. → ''It was'' [past indicative] necessary that ''he speak'' [present subjunctive].
* Portuguese: ''É'' [present indicative] ''necessário que ele fale'' [present subjunctive]. → ''Era necessário'' [past (imperfect) indicative] ''que ele falasse'' [past (imperfect) subjunctive].

The imperfect subjunctive is also used when the main clause is in the [[conditional tense|conditional]]:
* English: It ''would be'' [conditional] necessary that ''he speak'' [present subjunctive].
* Portuguese: ''Seria'' [conditional] ''necessário que ele falasse'' [imperfect subjunctive].

There are authors{{who|date=December 2016}} who regard the conditional of Portuguese as a "future in the past" of the indicative mood, rather than as a separate mood; they call it ''futuro do pretérito'' ("future of the past"), especially in Brazil.

'''Future subjunctive'''

Portuguese differs from other Ibero-Romance languages in having retained the medieval future subjunctive (''futuro do subjuntivo''), which is rarely used in Spanish and has been lost in other [[West Iberian languages|West Iberic]] languages. It expresses a condition that must be fulfilled in the future, or is assumed to be fulfilled, before an event can happen. Spanish and English will use the present tense in this type of clause.

For example, in [[conditional sentence]]s whose main clause is in the conditional, Portuguese, Spanish and English employ the past tense in the subordinate clause. Nevertheless, if the main clause is in the future, Portuguese will employ the future subjunctive where English and Spanish use the present indicative. (English, when being used in a rigorously formal style, takes the present subjunctive in these situations, example: "Should I be, then...") Contrast the following two sentences.
* English: If ''I were'' [past subjunctive] king, I would end [conditional] hunger.
** Spanish: ''Si fuera'' [imperfect subjunctive] ''rey, acabaría con'' [conditional] ''el hambre''.
** Portuguese: ''Se fosse'' [imperfect subjunctive] ''rei, acabaria com'' [conditional] ''a fome''.
* English: If ''I am'' [present indicative] [technical English is "should I ''be''" present subjunctive] elected president, I will change [future indicative] the law.
** Spanish: ''Si soy'' [present indicative] ''elegido presidente, cambiaré'' [future indicative] ''la ley''.
** Portuguese: ''Se for'' [future subjunctive] ''eleito presidente, mudarei'' [future indicative] ''a lei''.

The first situation is [[counterfactual conditional|counterfactual]]; the listener knows that the speaker is not a king. However, the second statement expresses a promise about the future; the speaker may yet be elected president.

For a different example, a father speaking to his son might say:
* English: When ''you are'' [present indicative] older, you will understand [future indicative].
* Spanish: ''Cuando seas'' [present subjunctive]  ''mayor, comprenderás'' [future indicative].
* French: ''Quand tu seras'' [future indicative] ''grand, tu comprendras'' [future indicative].
* Italian: ''Quando sarai'' [future indicative] ''grande, comprenderai'' [future indicative].
* Portuguese: ''Quando fores'' [future subjunctive] ''mais velho, compreenderás'' [future indicative].

The future subjunctive is identical in form to the personal infinitive in regular verbs, but they differ in some irregular verbs of frequent use. However, the possible differences between the two tenses are due only to stem changes. They always have the same endings.

The meaning of sentences can change by switching subjunctive and indicative:
* ''Ele pensou que eu fosse alto'' (He thought that I was tall [and I am not])
* ''Ele pensou que eu era alto'' (He thought that I was tall [and I am or I am not sure whether I am or not])
* ''Se formos lá'' (If we go there)
* ''Se vamos lá'' (equivalent to "if we are going there")

Below, there is a table demonstrating subjunctive and conditional conjugation for regular verbs of the first paradigm (-ar), exemplified by ''falar'' (to speak) .
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Grammatical person!! Past subjunctive !! Present subjunctive!! Future subjunctive !! Conditional (future of past)
|-
|Eu||falasse || fale || falar || falaria
|-
|Tu|| falasses || fales || falares || falarias
|-
|Ele/Ela|| falasse || fale || falar || falaria
|-
|Nós|| falássemos || falemos || falarmos || falaríamos 
|-
|Vós|| falásseis || faleis || falardes || falaríeis
|-
|Eles/Elas|| falassem || falem || falarem || falariam
|}
'''Compound subjunctives'''

Compound verbs in subjunctive are necessary in more complex sentences, such as subordinate clauses with embedded perfective tenses e.g., perfective state in the future. To form compound subjunctives auxiliar verbs (''ter'' or ''haver'') must conjugate to the respective subjunctive tense, while the main verbs must take their participles.

*Queria que ''houvesses sido eleito'' presidente (I wish you ''had been elected'' president)
*É importante que ''hajas compreendido'' isso. (It is important that you ''have comprehended'' that)
*Quando ''houver sido eleito'' presidente, mudarei a lei (When I ''will have been elected'' president, I will change the law)
*A cidade ''haver-se-ia afundado'' se não fosse por seus alicerces (The city ''would have sunk'', if not for its foundation)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Grammatical person!! Past subjunctive !! Present subjunctive!! Future subjunctive!! Conditional
|-
|Eu||houvesse/tivesse falado ||haja/tenha falado  ||houver/tiver falado ||haveria/teria falado
|-
|Tu||houvesses/tivesses falado ||hajas/tenhas falado  ||houveres/tiveres falado ||haverias/terias falado
|-
|Ele/Ela||houvesse/tivesse falado ||haja/tenha falado  ||houver/tiver falado ||haveria/teria falado
|-
|Nós||houvéssemos/tivéssemos falado ||hajamos/tenhamos falado  ||houvermos/tivermos falado ||haveríamos/teríamos falado
|-
|Vós||houvésseis/tivésseis falado ||hajais/tenhais falado  ||houverdes/tiverdes falado ||haveríeis/teríeis falado
|-
|Eles/Elas||houvessem/tivessem falado ||hajam/tenham falado  ||houverem/tivermos falado ||haveriam/teriam falado
|}

====Romanian====
{{Main|Romanian verbs}}
Romanian is part of the [[Balkan Sprachbund]] and as such uses the subjunctive (''conjunctiv'') more extensively than other Romance languages. The subjunctive forms always include the [[Grammatical conjunction|conjunction]] ''să'', which within these verbal forms plays the role of a morphological structural element. The subjunctive has two tenses: the past tense and the present tense. It is usually used in subordinate clauses.

'''Present subjunctive'''

The present subjunctive is usually built in the 1st and 2nd person singular and plural by adding the conjunction ''să'' before the present indicative (indicative: ''am'' I have; conjunctive: ''să am'' (that) I have; indicative: ''vii'' you come; conjunctive: ''să vii'' (t/hat) you come). In the 3rd person most verbs have a specific conjunctive form which differs from the indicative either in the ending or in the stem itself; there is however no distinction between the singular and plural of the present conjunctive in the 3rd person (indicative: ''are'' he has; conjunctive: ''să aibă'' (that) he has; indicative: ''au'' they have; conjunctive: ''să aibă'' (that) they have; indicative: ''vine'' he comes; conjunctive: ''să vină'' (that) he comes; indicative: ''vin'' they come; conjunctive: ''să vină'' (that) they come).

The present tense is by far the most widely used of the two subjunctive tenses and is used frequently after verbs that express wish, preference, permission, possibility, request, advice, etc.: ''a vrea'' to want, ''a dori'' to wish, ''a prefera'' to prefer, ''a lăsa'' to let, to allow, ''a ruga'' to ask, ''a sfătui'' to advise, ''a sugera'' to suggest, ''a recomanda'' to recommend, ''a cere'' to demand, to ask for, ''a interzice'' to forbid, ''a permite'' to allow, to give permission, ''a se teme'' to be afraid, etc.

When used independently, the subjunctive indicates a desire, a fear, an order or a request, i.e. has [[Modal verb|modal]] and [[imperative mood|imperative]] values. The present subjunctive is used in questions having the modal value of ''should'':
* ''Să plec?'' Should I leave?
* ''Să mai stau?'' Should I stay longer?
* ''De ce să plece?'' Why should he/she leave?

The present subjunctive is often used as an imperative, mainly for other persons than the second person. When used with the second person, it is even stronger than the imperative. The first-person plural can be preceded by the interjection ''hai'', which intensifies the imperative meaning of the structure:
* ''Să mergem!'' Let us go! or ''Hai să mergem!'' Come on, let's go!
* ''Să plece imediat!'' I want him to leave immediately!
* ''Să-mi aduci un pahar de apă!'' Bring me a glass of water!

The subjunctive present is used in certain set phrases used as greetings in specific situations:
* ''Să creşti mare!'' (to a child, after he or she declared his or her age or thanked for something)
* ''Să ne (să-ţi, să vă) fie de bine!'' (to people who have finished their meals)
* ''Să-l (să o, să le etc.) porţi sănătos / sănătoasă!'' (when somebody shows up in new clothes, with new shoes)
* ''Dumnezeu să-l (s-o, să-i, să le) ierte!'' (after mentioning the name of a person who died recently)
'''Past subjunctive'''

The past tense of the subjunctive mood has one form for all persons and numbers of all the verbs, which is ''să fi'' followed by the [[past participle]] of the verb. The past subjunctive is used after the past optative-conditional of the verbs that require the subjunctive (''a trebui, a vrea, a putea, a fi bine, a fi necesar'', etc.), in constructions that express the necessity, the desire in the past:
* ''Ar fi trebuit să fi rămas acasă.'' You should have stayed home.
* ''Ar fi fost mai bine să mai fi stat.'' It would have been better if we had stayed longer.

When used independently, the past subjunctive indicates a regret related to a past-accomplished action that is seen as undesirable at the moment of speaking:
* ''Să fi rămas acasă'' We should have stayed at home. (Note: the same construction can be used for all persons and numbers.)<ref>[http://www.seelrc.org:8080/grammar/pdf/stand_alone_romanian.pdf Romanian Grammar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050512152034/http://www.seelrc.org:8080/grammar/pdf/stand_alone_romanian.pdf |date=2005-05-12 }} detailed guide of Romanian grammar and usage.</ref>