The Spanish language has a tricky mood called the subjunctive. It’s used to express all the things that aren’t necessarily factual: doubts, wishes, emotions, possibilities, and opinions. Getting a handle on the subjunctive is a major step toward Spanish fluency.
One of the most common and versatile verbs in Spanish is “dar,” which means “to give.” But “dar” does so much more than simply mean “to give.” It’s an irregular -ar verb, which means its conjugations don’t always follow the standard rules — especially in the subjunctive.
This article focuses on how to use “dar” in the subjunctive mood. We’ll cover the following tenses:
- Present subjunctive
- Present perfect subjunctive
- Imperfect subjunctive
- Past perfect subjunctive
We’ll also provide plenty of examples to show you how to use the subjunctive for “dar” in context.
Understanding the Present Subjunctive of “Dar”
The verb “dar,” meaning “to give,” is one of the most common verbs in the Spanish language. It’s also one of the most irregular, especially when it comes to the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express desires, doubts, possibilities, and other non-factual situations.
Conjugation of “Dar” in the Present Subjunctive
Here’s the full conjugation of “dar” in the present subjunctive:
- yo: dé
- tú: des
- él/ella/usted: dé
- nosotros/nosotras: demos
- vosotros/vosotras: deis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes: den
Notice the stem change from “a” to “e” in most of the forms. This irregularity is a key characteristic of the present subjunctive of “dar.” It’s important to memorize these forms to use them correctly in sentences.
Uses of the Present Subjunctive with “Dar”
The present subjunctive of “dar” is used in various contexts to express non-factual or subjective situations. Here are some common uses:
- Expressing wishes, desires, and hopes: For example, “Espero que me des buenas noticias.” (I hope you give me good news.)
- Expressing doubt, uncertainty, or disbelief: For example, “Dudo que te den el puesto.” (I doubt they will give you the job.)
- In impersonal expressions: For example, “Es importante que le des las gracias.” (It’s important that you thank him/her.)
- With verbs of influence or command: For example, “Quiero que me des tu opinión.” (I want you to give me your opinion.)
Mastering the present subjunctive of “dar” is crucial for expressing a wide range of nuances and subtleties in Spanish. By understanding its conjugation and common uses, you can communicate more effectively and accurately.
Mastering the Present Perfect Subjunctive of “Dar”
The present perfect subjunctive can be a tricky verb tense to master in Spanish, but it’s essential for expressing nuances of doubt, emotion, and wishes related to completed actions. Let’s break down how to form and use it with the verb “dar.”
Formation of the Present Perfect Subjunctive
The present perfect subjunctive is formed using “haya” (the present subjunctive of the auxiliary verb “haber,” meaning “to have”) plus the past participle “dado” (given). Here’s the full conjugation:
- haya dado (I have given)
- hayas dado (you have given – informal)
- haya dado (he/she/it/you formal have given)
- hayamos dado (we have given)
- hayáis dado (you all have given – informal, Spain)
- hayan dado (they/you all formal have given)
Uses of the Present Perfect Subjunctive with “Dar”
This tense is used to express completed actions in the past that still have relevance in the present, and are often connected to feelings of doubt, emotion, or wishes. Here are some common scenarios:
- Expressing regret or sorrow about a past action: For example, “Siento que no te hayan dado el premio.” (I regret that they haven’t given you the prize.)
- Expressing doubt or disbelief about a past action: For example, “Dudo que le hayan dado permiso para ir.” (I doubt they have given him/her permission to go.)
- After expressions of emotion relating to a past action: For example, “Me alegra que te hayan dado el trabajo.” (I’m glad they gave you the job.)
Understanding the Imperfect Subjunctive of “Dar”
The imperfect subjunctive is one of those verb tenses in Spanish that can seem tricky at first, but with a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Let’s break down how to use it with the verb “dar” (to give).
Conjugation of “Dar” in the Imperfect Subjunctive
The imperfect subjunctive actually has two possible sets of endings. Don’t panic! They both mean the same thing and are used interchangeably, though one might sound a little more formal than the other. The two sets of endings are “-ra” and “-se.” Here’s how “dar” looks in the imperfect subjunctive:
- yo: diera / diese
- tú: dieras / dieses
- él/ella/usted: diera / diese
- nosotros/nosotras: diéramos / diésemos
- vosotros/vosotras: dierais / dieseis
- ellos/ellas/ustedes: dieran / diesen
So, how do you actually form these? A handy trick is to start with the preterite (past simple) tense, specifically the third-person plural form (ellos/ellas/ustedes). For “dar,” this is “dieron.” Then, remove the “-ron” ending and add either the “-ra” or “-se” endings. Voila! You’ve got the imperfect subjunctive.
Uses of the Imperfect Subjunctive with “Dar”
Okay, now that we know how to conjugate it, let’s talk about when to use it. The imperfect subjunctive with “dar” pops up in a few key situations:
- Expressing Hypothetical Situations or Conditions: Think “what if” scenarios.
Example: “Si me dieran la oportunidad, lo haría.” (If they gave me the opportunity, I would do it.) - In “si” (if) Clauses Expressing Unreal Conditions in the Past: This is about things that didn’t happen.
Example: “Si me hubieran dado el dinero, habría comprado un coche.” (If they had given me the money, I would have bought a car.) Notice that this example uses the past perfect subjunctive (“hubieran dado”), which is often paired with the conditional perfect (“habría comprado”). - After Verbs of Emotion, Doubt, or Wishing in the Past Tense: When you’re talking about feelings, uncertainties, or desires from the past.
Example: “Quería que me dieran una explicación.” (I wanted them to give me an explanation.) - In Polite Requests or Suggestions: This is a more formal way to ask for something.
Example: “¿Me dieras un poco de agua, por favor?” (Could you give me some water, please?) - With “como si” (as if): To describe actions that are imagined or not real.
Example: “Me hablaba como si me diera órdenes.” (He spoke to me as if he were giving me orders.)
The imperfect subjunctive takes some getting used to, but it’s a crucial part of expressing nuanced meanings in Spanish. Keep practicing, and you’ll be using “diera” and “diese” like a pro!
The past perfect subjunctive of “dar”
The past perfect subjunctive (also known as the pluperfect subjunctive) allows you to express hypothetical situations, regrets, and possibilities that didn’t happen in the past. With the verb “dar,” it’s no different.
How to form the past perfect subjunctive
You’ll create the past perfect subjunctive by combining “hubiera” or “hubiese” (the imperfect subjunctive forms of “haber,” or “to have”) with the past participle of “dar,” which is “dado.” Here’s the full conjugation:
- hubiera dado / hubiese dado
- hubieras dado / hubieses dado
- hubiera dado / hubiese dado
- hubiéramos dado / hubiésemos dado
- hubierais dado / hubieseis dado
- hubieran dado / hubiesen dado
How to use the past perfect subjunctive with “dar”
This tense has a few key uses:
- To talk about hypothetical past actions that didn’t occur: For example, “Si me hubieran dado el trabajo, habría sido diferente” (If they had given me the job, it would have been different).
- In “si” (if) clauses to describe what would have happened: For example, “Si me hubieras dado tu número, te habría llamado” (If you had given me your number, I would have called you).
- To express regret about something that happened (or didn’t happen) in the past: For example, “Ojalá me hubieran dado más tiempo” (I wish they had given me more time).
Common Phrases and Expressions with “Dar” in the Subjunctive
The subjunctive mood with “dar” pops up in a lot of common Spanish phrases. Here are a few key ones to remember:
- “Ojalá + imperfect subjunctive”: This is how you express a strong wish or hope. Think of it like saying “I wish…” or “If only…”
- Example: “Ojalá me dieran un aumento.” (I wish they would give me a raise.)
- “Es importante/necesario/fundamental que + present subjunctive”: Use this structure when you want to emphasize the importance or necessity of something. It translates to “It’s important/necessary/fundamental that…”
- Example: “Es importante que le des tu opinión.” (It’s important that you give him/her your opinion.)
- “A menos que + present subjunctive”: This one means “unless.” It introduces a condition that needs to be met.
- Example: “No iré a menos que me den permiso.” (I won’t go unless they give me permission.)
- “Para que + present subjunctive”: This translates to “in order that” or “so that.” You use it to explain the purpose or intention behind an action.
- Example: “Lo hago para que te den el trabajo.” (I’m doing it so that they give you the job.)
Mastering these phrases will really help you sound more natural and fluent when using the subjunctive with “dar.” Pay attention to how the subjunctive form changes depending on the phrase and the tense you need.
Summary
Mastering the subjunctive mood, with all its tenses, is crucial for achieving fluency and truly understanding the nuances of the Spanish language. Correctly using the subjunctive elevates your Spanish beyond basic communication.
Specifically, knowing how to conjugate and use “dar” in the subjunctive is key. Remember that the present subjunctive of “dar” (dé, des, dé, demos, deis, den) is used for wishes, doubts, and recommendations in the present or future. The present perfect subjunctive (haya dado, hayas dado, etc.) expresses these same ideas related to the past. The imperfect subjunctive (diera, dieras, etc.) is used for past wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations, and the past perfect subjunctive (hubiera dado, hubieras dado, etc.) expresses those ideas in relation to an even more distant past.
Keep practicing! Find real-world examples and do exercises to solidify your understanding. The internet is full of resources, and language partners are a great way to practice the subjunctive in context. With consistent effort, you’ll master the subjunctive with “dar” and significantly improve your Spanish skills!