When navigating the high-stakes world of international diplomacy—setting terms, making demands, and declaring necessities—you will need the present subjunctive (viðtengingarháttur nútíðar).
In this lesson, we will complete your basic subjunctive toolkit with a few essential irregular verbs.
The Subjunctive of vera (to be)
The verb vera is highly irregular in the subjunctive, and its forms are best memorized. Notice how all the forms start with sé-.
| Pronoun | vera |
|---|---|
| ég | sé |
| þú | sért |
| hann/hún/það | sé |
| við | séum |
| þið | séuð |
| þeir/þær/þau | séu |
A common phrase in diplomatic and formal contexts is það er nauðsynlegt að (it is necessary that), which always triggers the subjunctive for the required action.
| It is necessary that the conference be in Reykjavik. | Það er nauðsynlegt að ráðstefnan sé í Reykjavík. |
The Subjunctive of koma, geta, and hafa
While koma (to come), geta (to be able to), and hafa (to have) are irregular in the present indicative, their present subjunctive forms are straightforward.
They follow the regular pattern: take the infinitive, drop the final -a, and add the standard subjunctive endings (-i, -ir, -i for the singular, and -um, -ið, -i for the plural).
| Pronoun | koma | geta | hafa |
|---|---|---|---|
| ég | komi | geti | hafi |
| þú | komir | getir | hafir |
| hann/hún/það | komi | geti | hafi |
| við | komum | getum | höfum |
| þið | komið | getið | hafið |
| þeir/þær/þau | komi | geti | hafi |
Note: Notice the standard U-shift in the *við form of hafa (hafum → höfum).*
When laying down the law, you will often use krefjast þess að (to demand that). Because a demand expresses will about a desired outcome, it strictly requires the subjunctive mood.
| We demand that the ambassador come immediately. | Við krefjumst þess að sendiherrann komi strax. |
| Are they demanding that the ally be able to solve the crisis? | Eru þeir að krefjast þess að bandamaðurinn geti leyst kreppuna? |
| The state demands that the representative have the peace treaty. | Ríkið krefst þess að fulltrúinn hafi friðarsamninginn. |
Conditions, Wants, and Hopes
The subjunctive is also triggered by establishing requirements, such as stating skilyrðið er að (the condition is that).
Likewise, when you use familiar expressions of desire and expectation like vona að (hope that) and vilja að (want [someone] to), you will apply these same irregular subjunctive forms.
| We hope that the state can solve the crisis. | Við vonum að ríkið geti leyst kreppuna. |
| The condition is that the peace treaty be ready. | Skilyrðið er að friðarsamningurinn sé tilbúinn. |
| Are you hoping that the ceasefire comes soon? | Vonið þið að vopnahléið komi bráðum? |