【英文版西语语法】Expressing Emotions with the Subjunctive

 WEIRDO

 

Many of the verbs and phrases that require the subjunctive fit into the acronym WEIRDO: Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt/Denial, and Ojalá. In this article, we're going to take a look at emotions.

 

Emotions

 

All sorts of emotion, including annoyance, anger, happiness, regret, sadness, fear, surprise, and ecstasy fall into this category. In essence, any personal reaction to a situation is emotional. The focus is not on a factual observation of a situation, but how it makes the subject feel. Since how a person feels is always subjective, you use the subjunctive.

 

Useful Verbs of Emotion

 

The following verbs are commonly used to express emotion.

 

Spanish English Spanish English

alegrarse de

 

to be glad

gustar

 

to like

quejarse

 

to complain

encantar

 

to be delighted

lamentar

 

to regret

sentir

 

to feel

enojar

 

to be angry

maravillar

 

to astonish

sorprender

 

to surprise

estar contento, enojado, triste, etc.

 

to be glad, angry, sad, etc.

molestar

 

to annoy

temer

 

to fear

tener miedo de que

 

to be afraid that

extrañarse que

 

to be amazed that

Check out these examples of emotion verbs being used with the subjunctive.

 

Me alegro de que sonrías.

It makes me happy that you smile.

 

¿Les molesta que él escuche la música fuerte?

Does it bother you that he listens to loud music?

 

Siento mucho que no puedan venir a la fiesta.

I’m sorry that they can’t come to the party.