The Subjunctive Mood of Acabar is used to express wishes, desires, or uncertainty about an action being completed, for example: Espero que acabes el proyecto pronto. (I hope you finish the project soon.)

Acabar is a regular -ar verb, so its conjugations in the Present Subjunctive follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Acabar (to finish) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Acabar generally means “to finish” or “to end”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To finish or complete something: for example, Espero que acabes tu tarea pronto (I hope you finish your homework soon).

To run out or use up: for example, No quiero que se acaben las papas fritas (I don’t want the potato chips to run out).

To destroy or ruin something (colloquial): for example, ¡No quiero que acabes con mi paciencia! (I don’t want you to ruin my patience!)

To have just done something (colloquial): for example, Acabo de llegar a casa (I’ve just arrived home).

To die or pass away (euphemistic): for example, Espero que no acabe pronto (I hope he/she doesn’t pass away soon).

Examples

Examples of Acabar in the Subjunctive Mood

Espero que acabes el proyecto a tiempo para la reunión de mañana. (I hope you finish the project in time for tomorrow’s meeting.)

Aunque no me guste estudiar, es importante que acabe mis tareas escolares. (Even though I don’t like studying, it’s important that I finish my school assignments.)

Ojalá que acabemos de pintar la casa antes de que lleguen mis padres de viaje. (I hope we finish painting the house before my parents get back from their trip.)

Aunque el trabajo es difícil, es importante que acabes lo que empiezas. (Even though the work is difficult, it’s important that you finish what you start.)

Tan pronto como acabe de limpiar la cocina, voy a descansar un rato. (As soon as I finish cleaning the kitchen, I’m going to rest for a bit.)

Para aprobar el curso, es necesario que acabes todos los trabajos asignados. (To pass the course, it’s necessary that you finish all the assigned work.)

Dudo que acaben de leer ese libro tan pronto, es muy largo. (I doubt they’ll finish reading that book anytime soon, it’s very long.)

Mis amigos insisten en que acabemos de ver la película esta noche. (My friends insist that we finish watching the movie tonight.)

Aunque estés cansado, es importante que acabes tu turno en el trabajo. (Even though you’re tired, it’s important that you finish your shift at work.)

Mamá quiere que acabemos de limpiar la casa antes de que lleguen los invitados. (Mom wants us to finish cleaning the house before the guests arrive.)

Aunque el camino sea difícil, espero que acabes lo que emprendiste. (Even though the path is difficult, I hope you finish what you started.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Acabar (to finish) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Subjunctive mood is also known as the Simple Subjunctive, Subjunctive Present, or Present Subjunctive Mood in English, and as Presente de Subjuntivo, Subjuntivo Presente, Presente del Modo Subjuntivo, or Tiempo Presente del Subjuntivo in Spanish.