Ser is an irregular verb in El Presente de Subjuntivo, therefore it does not follow the same rule as other -er verbs. This table shows how to conjugate ser in El Presente de Subjuntivo:
| yo | sea |
| tú | seas |
| él / ella / Ud. | sea |
| nosotros | seamos |
| vosotros | seáis |
| ellos / ellas / Uds. | sean |
Have a look at some examples:
No creo que eso sea muy sensato.
I don't think that is very sensible.
Puede que nosotros seamos los únicos en el restaurante.
We may be the only ones in the restaurant.
Yo no creo que yo sea muy egoista.
I don't think I am very selfish.
Es probable que seáis capaces.
It is probable that you are able.
See also:
- Conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo (present subjunctive)
- Conjugate regular -ar verbs in El Presente de Subjuntivo (present subjunctive)
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Puede que nosotros seamos los únicos en el restaurante.
We may be the only ones in the restaurant.
No pienso que sean justos.
I don't believe they are fair.
Es probable que seáis capaces.
It is probable that you are able.
No creo que eso sea muy sensato.
I don't think that is very sensible.
Yo no creo que yo sea muy egoista.
I don't think I am very selfish.
Q&A Forum 2 questions, 4 answers
Please explain use of subjunctive when the subject does not change in the main clause to the subordinate clause.
Hola Ralph
With verb creer in negative we can use both the infinitive or the subjunctive (even if it is the same subject). You could say:
"Yo no creo ser muy egoista" (I don't think I am very selfish)
or
"Yo no creo que sea muy egoista" (I don't think I am very selfish)
(The second sentence is more commonly used)
The rule about using the infinitive instead of the subjunctive, when having the same subject doesn't apply to all verbs.
With "wish" verbs like querer, this rule if fixed:
Yo quiero ir a Madrid (same subject, infinitive)
Yo quiero que tú vayas a Madrid (different subject, subjunctive)
But it is not the same case with "creer".
I hope this helps,
Inma
Please explain use of subjunctive when the subject does not change in the main clause to the subordinate clause.
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Hi - why is Ser used for "We may be the only ones in the restaurant?". I would have thought Estar - estamos en el restaurante?
Good question!
Consider these shorter phrases:
We are the only ones (ser)
vs
We are in the restaurant (estar)
The verb is expressing "being" about "being the only people" which is independent of what follows (which happens to be a location). You could write the sentence in a longer form, We are the only people [who are] in the restaurant to see there are two 'being' verbs implied, in fact.
It might be tempting to still think estar is the right verb choice, since 'being the only ones' is temporary state, but, in fact, 'only' is a modifier and as such a red-herring too! Really, that sentence boils down to talking about people: We are the [optional modifer] people...
I think this is the closest rule:
https://spanish.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/use-ser-not-estar-to-introduce-people
I'll double check with one of our Spanish native linguists to be sure though.
Hi Nick
Gruff's explanation is spot on. This "ser" is identifying, not talking about the position/location. Other practical examples where we use ser in this same way to identify are for example when someone knocks on the door and before you open it you ask: "¿Quién es?" (Who is it?), and the other person answers "Soy yo, Luis" (It's me, Luis). Or when you are playing a game and you win and then say "¡Yo soy el ganador!" (I am the winner!). All these are using ser to identify.
Saludos,
Inma
Hi - why is Ser used for "We may be the only ones in the restaurant?". I would have thought Estar - estamos en el restaurante?
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