The Subjunctive Mood of Ser is used to express wishes, desires, doubts, or uncertainties about the subject being or existing in a certain state. For example, Es importante que seas puntual. (It is important that you be on time.)

Ser is an irregular verb in the Subjunctive Mood, meaning its conjugations do not follow a set pattern and must be memorized individually.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Ser (to be) in the Subjunctive Mood tense (Castilian Spanish):

Ser generally means “to be”, but has several different meanings in the Subjunctive Mood, some of which might surprise you.

To express wishes or desires: For example, Ojalá que seas feliz (I hope you are happy).

To express uncertainty or doubt: For example, No creo que sea tan caro (I don’t think it’s that expensive).

To express impersonal opinions or judgments: For example, Es importante que seas puntual (It’s important that you be on time).

To give advice or recommendations: For example, Sería mejor que seas honesto (It would be better if you were honest).

To express hypothetical situations: For example, Si yo fuera rico, sería muy generoso (If I were rich, I would be very generous).

Colloquial usage (rude): For example, ¡Que seas imbécil! (You’re such an idiot!)

Examples

Examples of Ser in the Subjunctive Mood

Espero que mi hijo sea un buen estudiante. (I hope my son becomes a good student.)

Es importante que todos seamos amables con los demás. (It’s important that we all be kind to others.)

Ojalá que seas muy feliz en tu nuevo trabajo. (I hope you are very happy in your new job.)

El entrenador quiere que los jugadores sean disciplinados. (The coach wants the players to be disciplined.)

Aunque no sea rico, vive una vida plena. (Even though he is not rich, he lives a fulfilling life.)

Mis padres insisten en que seamos puntuales a la cena familiar. (My parents insist that we be punctual for the family dinner.)

El jefe recomienda que todos seamos profesionales en el trabajo. (The boss recommends that we all be professional at work.)

Aunque no seas experto, puedes intentar resolver el problema. (Even if you are not an expert, you can try to solve the problem.)

Es crucial que los pilotos sean muy cuidadosos durante el vuelo. (It’s crucial that the pilots be very careful during the flight.)

Independientemente de si seas rico o pobre, debes ser humilde. (Regardless of whether you are rich or poor, you must be humble.)

Quiero que mis hijos sean personas de bien cuando crezcan. (I want my children to be good people when they grow up.)

Aunque no seamos perfectos, debemos esforzarnos por mejorar. (Even if we are not perfect, we must strive to improve.)

Es importante que seas honesto en tus relaciones personales. (It’s important that you be honest in your personal relationships.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Ser (to be) 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.