B1 Subjunctive 16 min read Easy

Expressing Worry: It Worries Me That... (Preocupar)

Express concern by using an indirect pronoun + preocupa que followed by a verb in the Subjunctive mood.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When you express worry or emotion about an action, use the subjunctive mood in the following clause.

  • Use 'Me preocupa que' + subjunctive verb: Me preocupa que llegues tarde.
  • The subject of the first verb must be different from the second: Me preocupa que tú no estudies.
  • If there is no 'que' and no change of subject, use the infinitive: Me preocupa llegar tarde.
Me preocupa (Emotion) + que (Trigger) + [Verb in Subjunctive]

Overview

Expressing worry or concern in Spanish often utilizes the verb preocupar. Unlike English, where you might say "I worry about something" or "I am worried that...", Spanish frequently employs a "backward" or "inverted" construction similar to gustar. In this structure, the cause of the worry acts as the grammatical subject, and the person experiencing the worry is the indirect object.

This construction is crucial for intermediate (B1) learners because it allows for nuanced expression of emotions and introduces the mandatory use of the subjunctive mood. Understanding preocupar beyond a direct translation is key to sounding natural and communicating genuine feelings about situations, actions, or future events. It's not merely about stating a fact, but about conveying your emotional reaction to it.

This distinction is fundamental to Spanish grammar and thought.

The preocupar construction, especially with que and the subjunctive, enables you to articulate concerns about hypothetical scenarios, others' behaviors, or uncertain outcomes. It reflects a core principle of Spanish — that emotional or subjective statements about actions or states trigger a specific verbal mood to differentiate them from objective declarations. Mastering this pattern signifies a significant step in your ability to express complex emotional states in Spanish.

How This Grammar Works

The verb preocupar functions similarly to gustar, meaning the thing or situation causing the emotion is the grammatical subject of the sentence, not the person feeling the emotion. The person who feels worried is expressed by an indirect object pronoun. This is a fundamental concept that often challenges English speakers.
Consider the literal translation of Me preocupa el examen as "The exam worries me," rather than "I worry about the exam." Here, el examen is the subject, and me is the indirect object pronoun indicating who feels the worry. This inverted structure maintains consistent grammar across many verbs of emotion and opinion in Spanish.
When the worry is triggered by an action, an event, or a situation described by a clause, Spanish introduces que and requires the verb in that clause to be in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is employed because preocupar expresses an emotion, and emotions pertain to subjective feelings rather than objective facts. The speaker's concern is about a perceived reality or a desired outcome, not a universally accepted truth.
This grammatical choice underscores the non-factual, subjective nature of the statement. If you were merely stating a fact, the indicative mood would be used. However, with preocupar que, you are conveying your personal emotional reaction to a situation, which necessitates the subjunctive.
The structure effectively frames the following clause as something that is the subject of your worry, rather than a straightforward assertion.
Indirect Object Pronouns:
| Pronoun | English Equivalent |
|---------|--------------------|
| me | me |
| te | you (informal singular) |
| le | him, her, you (formal singular) |
| nos | us |
| os | you all (informal plural, Spain) |
| les | them, you all (formal plural, Latin America/Spain) |
These pronouns always precede the conjugated form of preocupar. The verb preocupar itself conjugates to agree with the subject (the thing causing the worry), not the indirect object pronoun.
Example:
  • Me preocupa tu silencio. (Your silence worries me.)
  • tu silencio is the subject (singular), so preocupa (singular).
  • Les preocupan sus notas. (Their grades worry them.)
  • sus notas are the subject (plural), so preocupan (plural).
When the worry is about an action or state expressed by a subordinate clause, the structure becomes (A + Indirect Object Pronoun) + preocupar + que + Subjunctive Clause. The que introduces the clause containing the action or situation that is the source of the worry. This clause's verb must be in the subjunctive because preocupar is a verb of emotion, doubt, or subjectivity.
Example:
  • Me preocupa que llegues tarde. (It worries me that you might arrive late.)
  • Here, the act of arriving late is what worries me.
  • Nos preocupa que no entiendan la lección. (It worries us that they might not understand the lesson.)
  • The possibility of not understanding is the source of worry for nos.
This grammatical pattern is essential for expressing empathy, sharing concerns, or even subtly influencing actions by framing potential outcomes as sources of distress. It moves beyond simple factual reporting to communicate a deeper emotional engagement with the situation at hand.

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing sentences with preocupar and the subjunctive involves a specific sequence of elements. Mastering this pattern allows for precise expression of your concerns. There are two primary forms: one for direct objects of worry and another for actions/situations that cause worry.
2
Pattern 1: Worry about a Noun (No Subjunctive)
3
This simpler pattern is used when the source of worry is a noun or a noun phrase. The verb preocupar agrees in number with this noun.
4
Formula: (A + Indirect Object Pronoun) + preocupar (conjugated) + Noun/Noun Phrase
5
Indirect Object Pronoun: This indicates who is worried. Place it before the conjugated form of preocupar.
6
Example: me (me), te (you), le (him/her/you formal).
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preocupar Conjugation: Conjugate preocupar to agree with the noun that follows it.
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Use preocupa for singular nouns.
9
Use preocupan for plural nouns.
10
Noun/Noun Phrase: This is the grammatical subject, representing what causes the worry.
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| Indirect Object | Preocupar (Singular) | Noun (Singular) | Example (English) |
12
|-----------------|------------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------|
13
| Me | preocupa | el futuro | The future worries me. |
14
| Te | preocupa | su salud | Her health worries you. |
15
| Nos | preocupa | la situación | The situation worries us. |
16
| Indirect Object | Preocupar (Plural) | Noun (Plural) | Example (English) |
17
|-----------------|-----------------------|---------------------|-----------------------------|
18
| Me | preocupan | los ruidos | The noises worry me. |
19
| Les | preocupan | las consecuencias | The consequences worry them.|
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Pattern 2: Worry that an Action/Situation Occurs (With Subjunctive)
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This pattern is used when the source of worry is an action or a state expressed by a subordinate clause. The key element here is que followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood.
22
Formula: (A + Indirect Object Pronoun) + preocupar (conjugated) + que + Subject (of subjunctive clause) + Verb (Subjunctive)
23
Indirect Object Pronoun: Same as Pattern 1.
24
preocupar Conjugation: In this pattern, preocupar is almost always in the third person singular (preocupa) because its grammatical subject is the entire que clause (the idea or fact that something happens), which is treated as a singular entity. While theoretically preocupan could be used if multiple independent que clauses were the subjects, in practice, this is rare and singular is dominant.
25
que: This conjunction introduces the subordinate clause.
26
Subject (of subjunctive clause): This is the performer of the action in the subordinate clause. It can be explicit or implied.
27
Subjunctive Verb: The verb in the que clause must be conjugated in the present subjunctive (for present or future relevance) or past subjunctive (for past relevance). The choice of subjunctive tense depends on the tense of preocupar and the temporal relationship between the main and subordinate clauses.
28
Present Subjunctive Endings (Regular Verbs - Example):
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| Person | Hablar (-ar verbs) | Comer (-er verbs) | Vivir (-ir verbs) |
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|-----------|------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
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| yo | hable | coma | viva |
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| | hables | comas | vivas |
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| él/ella/Ud| hable | coma | viva |
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| nosotros| hablemos | comamos | vivamos |
35
| vosotros| habléis | comáis | viváis |
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| ellos/ellas/Uds| hablen | coman | vivan |
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Example:
38
Me preocupa que no estudies suficiente. (It worries me that you don't study enough.)
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preocupa (singular) because the subject is the idea que no estudies suficiente.
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A mis padres les preocupa que vivamos tan lejos. (It worries my parents that we live so far away.)
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A mis padres clarifies les. preocupa (singular), vivamos (present subjunctive).
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Nos preocupaba que el examen fuera tan difícil. (It worried us that the exam was so difficult.)
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preocupaba (imperfect indicative), fuera (imperfect subjunctive).
44
Remember to identify the true grammatical subject of preocupar—either the noun (Pattern 1) or the entire que clause (Pattern 2)—to correctly conjugate preocupar itself. The subjunctive is mandatory after que when preocupar expresses emotion.

When To Use It

Use preocupar with the subjunctive (que + Subjunctive) whenever you want to express that an action, situation, or outcome causes you worry, concern, or anxiety. This pattern is particularly useful for conveying subjective feelings about events that are not yet certain, are beyond your direct control, or relate to someone else's behavior or state.
  1. 1Expressing Concern about Others' Actions/Well-being: This is one of the most common applications. When you're worried about what someone is doing, or their condition.
  • Me preocupa que mi hermano no coma bien. (It worries me that my brother isn't eating well.)
  • A la profesora le preocupa que los estudiantes no entreguen la tarea. (It worries the teacher that the students aren't handing in the homework.)
  1. 1Anticipating Negative Outcomes or Uncertainties: When you're anxious about future events or possibilities.
  • Nos preocupa que el vuelo se retrase por la tormenta. (It worries us that the flight might be delayed by the storm.)
  • Te preocupa que no consigas el trabajo. (It worries you that you might not get the job.)
  1. 1Reflecting on Past Events with Present Concern: While preocupar is often used for present or future-oriented worry, you can also express current concern about a past action using appropriate tenses.
  • Me preocupa que no hayamos podido hablar antes. (It worries me that we weren't able to talk earlier.)
  • Les preocupa que los niños se hayan quedado solos. (It worries them that the children might have been left alone.)
  1. 1Expressing General Unease about a Situation: Even if the specific action isn't pinpointed, the overall state of affairs can be the source of worry.
  • Me preocupa que la economía esté tan inestable. (It worries me that the economy is so unstable.)
  • Te preocupa que la situación política empeore. (It worries you that the political situation might worsen.)
This grammatical construction is more active and personal than simply saying Estoy preocupado/a por... (I am worried about...), as it directly links the emotion to a specific action or state described in the subjunctive clause. It's a hallmark of effective communication at the B1 level, allowing for more precise and emotionally resonant dialogue in Spanish.

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when using preocupar, particularly with the subjunctive. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their grammatical basis is crucial for accurate expression.
  1. 1Confusing the Subject: The most common mistake is to assume yo is the subject. Remember preocupar is an inverted verb. You do not say Yo preocupo que... Instead, the thing causing the worry is the subject. If you want to say "I worry about X" without the inverted structure, you'd use the reflexive preocuparse por: Yo me preocupo por el examen. (I worry about the exam.) But with que, it's always Me preocupa que....
  1. 1Forgetting que: When expressing worry about an action or situation, omitting the conjunction que is a significant error. It creates an ungrammatical sentence because the main verb preocupar cannot directly take a clause as its object without que.
  • Incorrect: Me preocupa tú llegues tarde.
  • Correct: Me preocupa que tú llegues tarde.
  1. 1Using the Indicative instead of the Subjunctive: This is perhaps the most persistent challenge for learners. Since preocupar expresses an emotion, the clause introduced by que must be in the subjunctive. Using the indicative mood (e.g., simple present) changes the meaning, suggesting the statement is a fact rather than a subjective concern.
  • Incorrect: Me preocupa que no puedes venir. (This implies it's a known fact that you can't come, and that fact worries me, which is less common. It should be about the possibility or idea that you can't come.)
  • Correct: Me preocupa que no puedas venir. (It worries me that you might not be able to come.)
  1. 1Incorrect Indirect Object Pronoun Usage: While the pronoun is typically me, te, le, nos, os, les, sometimes learners might use lo/la/los/las (direct object pronouns). Preocupar always takes an indirect object for the person experiencing the emotion.
  • Incorrect: Lo preocupa que ella viaje sola. (This would mean "He worries it that she travels alone," which makes no sense.)
  • Correct: Le preocupa que ella viaje sola. (It worries him/her that she travels alone.)
  1. 1Misjudging preocupa vs. preocupan: Remember, preocupar agrees with its grammatical subject. When a que clause is the subject, preocupa (singular) is almost always used. When the subject is a plural noun, preocupan is used.
  • Incorrect: Me preocupan que haga frío. (The idea that it is cold is singular.)
  • Correct: Me preocupa que haga frío.
  • Correct: Me preocupan los exámenes. (The exams are plural.)
These mistakes often stem from direct translation from English or a lack of firm understanding of the subjunctive's role. Consistent practice focusing on the inverted structure and the emotional trigger for the subjunctive will help solidify correct usage.

Real Conversations

Understanding how preocupar is used in everyday Spanish elevates your communication from textbook examples to authentic interaction. This structure is common in both formal and informal contexts, online and offline.

Informal (Texting/Chat):

- Oye, me preocupa que no me contestes. ¿Estás bien? (Hey, it worries me that you're not answering me. Are you okay?)

- A mi amiga le preocupa que no salga mucho. (It worries my friend that I don't go out much.)

- Nos preocupa que el clima cambie de repente. (It worries us that the weather might change suddenly.)

Notice how the tone can range from genuine concern to a polite nudge. The subjunctive allows for a softer, more speculative expression of worry, suitable for delicate topics.

Formal/Professional (Emails/Meetings):

- Señora Directora, nos preocupa que el proyecto no cumpla con los plazos establecidos. (Madam Director, it worries us that the project may not meet the established deadlines.)

- Me preocupa que la propuesta no refleje nuestras prioridades principales. (It worries me that the proposal may not reflect our main priorities.)

- Les preocuparía que las regulaciones afecten la inversión. (It would worry them if the regulations affected investment.)

In professional settings, preocupar que signals careful consideration and foresight, indicating that potential issues are being acknowledged. This structure helps convey a responsible and analytical approach to problems.

Social Media/News Commentary:

- #PreocupaQue La inflación siga subiendo. ¿Cómo afecta a tu bolsillo? ( #ItWorriesThat Inflation keeps rising. How does it affect your wallet?)

- A muchos les preocupa que los jóvenes pasen tanto tiempo en pantallas. (It worries many people that young people spend so much time on screens.)

This pattern is also frequently used in media to discuss public concerns or anxieties, often to introduce a topic for debate or analysis. It's a common way to frame societal worries.

C

Cultural Insight

In Spanish-speaking cultures, direct confrontation can sometimes be avoided in favor of more indirect expressions, especially when voicing concerns. Using Me preocupa que... can be a less accusatory way to address an issue than directly stating "You are doing X, and that is bad." It frames the issue as a personal feeling rather than an objective judgment, which can facilitate smoother communication and preserve harmony. For instance, instead of No me gusta que llegues tarde (I don't like that you arrive late), Me preocupa que llegues tarde (It worries me that you arrive late) expresses concern for the person or the consequences, softening the criticism.

Quick FAQ

Q: Why do I use the subjunctive with preocupar but not always with gustar?

Both are inverted verbs, but the key difference lies in what typically follows que. Gustar que does take the subjunctive when the subject of the main clause (the 'liker') is different from the subject of the que clause (the 'action'). For example, Me gusta que hables español (I like that you speak Spanish). However, gustar is often followed by a noun or an infinitive (e.g., Me gusta el café, Me gusta leer), which don't trigger the subjunctive. Preocupar, however, almost always expresses an emotion about a situation or action, making the subjunctive almost universally required after que.

Q: Can I use estar preocupado/a por instead? What's the difference?

Yes, estar preocupado/a por means "to be worried about something" and is very common. The difference is semantic and structural. Estar preocupado/a (with the adjective preocupado) describes your state of being. Me preocupa que... (with the verb preocupar) describes what causes that worry, often an action or situation. Estoy preocupada por el examen (I am worried about the exam) focuses on your feeling. Me preocupa el examen (The exam worries me) focuses on the exam as the cause. Me preocupa que no estudiemos (It worries me that we aren't studying) focuses on the action.

Q: Is preocupa always singular with que?

In virtually all common uses, yes. When que introduces a clause, the entire clause (que + subjunctive clause) acts as a singular grammatical subject for preocupar. Therefore, preocupa (third person singular) is used to agree with this conceptual subject. It's rare to have multiple que clauses acting as distinct, plural subjects simultaneously to trigger preocupan.

Q: What if I want to say "I worry about myself"?

For reflecting worry upon oneself, you would use the reflexive form preocuparse por. For example, Me preocupo mucho por mi futuro. (I worry a lot about my future.) This construction doesn't typically take a que clause with the subjunctive immediately after it, as the reflexive verb already expresses the self-directed worry.

Q: How does this relate to other emotion verbs like molestar or dar miedo?

Preocupar, molestar, dar miedo, dar pena, ser una lástima, etc., all belong to a category of verbs and impersonal expressions that trigger the subjunctive when followed by que and a change of subject. They all express a subjective reaction (emotion, annoyance, fear, pity, regret) to an action or state. While their specific meanings differ (preocupar = worry, molestar = annoy, dar miedo = scare), their grammatical behavior regarding the subjunctive is consistent. They emphasize the emotional impact of the subordinate clause.

Q: Are there regional differences in its usage?

The grammatical structure of preocupar que + subjunctive is standard across all Spanish-speaking regions. However, nuances in frequency or formality might exist. For instance, in some regions, me preocupa might be slightly more common than me inquiete (it worries/unsettles me), but the fundamental rule remains constant. The use of vosotros (e.g., os preocupa) is specific to Spain.

Conjugation of 'Preocupar'

Subject Singular (Thing) Plural (Things)
Yo
Me preocupa
Me preocupan
Te preocupa
Te preocupan
Él/Ella/Ud.
Le preocupa
Le preocupan
Nosotros
Nos preocupa
Nos preocupan
Vosotros
Os preocupa
Os preocupan
Ellos/Ellas/Uds.
Les preocupa
Les preocupan

Meanings

This structure is used to express personal feelings, anxiety, or concern regarding an action or event performed by someone else.

1

Expressing anxiety

To state that a situation causes you worry.

“Me preocupa que llueva mañana.”

“Le preocupa que su hijo no coma bien.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressing Worry: It Worries Me That... (Preocupar)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Me preocupa que + Subj
Me preocupa que vengas.
Negative
No me preocupa que + Subj
No me preocupa que llueva.
Question
¿Te preocupa que + Subj?
¿Te preocupa que él sepa?
Same Subject
Me preocupa + Infinitive
Me preocupa llegar tarde.
Plural Object
Me preocupan que + Subj
Me preocupan que no lleguen.
Past Subj
Me preocupaba que + Imp. Subj
Me preocupaba que vinieras.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Me preocupa su situación.

Me preocupa su situación. (Concern for someone)

Neutral
Me preocupa que estés bien.

Me preocupa que estés bien. (Concern for someone)

Informal
Me preocupa que te pase algo.

Me preocupa que te pase algo. (Concern for someone)

Slang
Me raya que te pase algo.

Me raya que te pase algo. (Concern for someone)

The Emotion Trigger Map

Me preocupa que

Triggers

  • Subjunctive Mood for uncertainty/emotion

Structure

  • Infinitive If subject is the same

Examples by Level

1

Me preocupa que tú no comas.

I worry that you don't eat.

2

Me preocupa que él no venga.

I worry that he isn't coming.

3

Me preocupa que llueva.

I worry that it will rain.

4

Me preocupa que estés triste.

I worry that you are sad.

1

Me preocupa que no tengamos tiempo.

I worry that we don't have time.

2

Le preocupa que su perro se escape.

He worries that his dog will escape.

3

Nos preocupa que ellos lleguen tarde.

We worry that they will arrive late.

4

Me preocupa que no me llames.

I worry that you won't call me.

1

Me preocupa que la situación económica sea inestable.

I worry that the economic situation is unstable.

2

Le preocupa que sus hijos no estudien lo suficiente.

She worries that her children don't study enough.

3

Me preocupa que no hayamos terminado el informe.

I worry that we haven't finished the report.

4

Nos preocupa que no se tomen medidas urgentes.

We worry that urgent measures aren't being taken.

1

Me preocupa que, a pesar de los esfuerzos, no se logre el objetivo.

I worry that, despite the efforts, the goal won't be achieved.

2

Le preocupa que su decisión haya sido malinterpretada.

He worries that his decision has been misinterpreted.

3

Nos preocupa que el cambio climático afecte a las futuras generaciones.

We worry that climate change will affect future generations.

4

Me preocupa que no se valore el trabajo realizado.

I worry that the work done isn't valued.

1

Me preocupa que la ambigüedad de sus palabras genere malentendidos innecesarios.

I worry that the ambiguity of his words will generate unnecessary misunderstandings.

2

Le preocupa que la falta de consenso dificulte la implementación del proyecto.

He worries that the lack of consensus will hinder the project's implementation.

3

Nos preocupa que la sociedad no sea consciente de los riesgos latentes.

We worry that society isn't aware of the latent risks.

4

Me preocupa que se haya subestimado la magnitud del problema.

I worry that the magnitude of the problem has been underestimated.

1

Me preocupa que, en última instancia, el pragmatismo prevalezca sobre los valores éticos.

I worry that, ultimately, pragmatism will prevail over ethical values.

2

Le preocupa que la inercia institucional impida cualquier reforma significativa.

He worries that institutional inertia will prevent any significant reform.

3

Nos preocupa que la desinformación se haya arraigado tan profundamente en el discurso público.

We worry that misinformation has become so deeply rooted in public discourse.

4

Me preocupa que la celeridad con la que se toman las decisiones comprometa la calidad del resultado.

I worry that the speed with which decisions are made will compromise the quality of the result.

Easily Confused

Expressing Worry: It Worries Me That... (Preocupar) vs Indicative vs Subjunctive

Learners mix up certainty and emotion.

Expressing Worry: It Worries Me That... (Preocupar) vs Infinitive vs Subjunctive

Learners use subjunctive when the subject is the same.

Expressing Worry: It Worries Me That... (Preocupar) vs Preocupar vs Estar preocupado

Learners mix up the verb and the adjective.

Common Mistakes

Me preocupa que tú vienes.

Me preocupa que tú vengas.

Must use subjunctive after 'que'.

Preocupo que tú vengas.

Me preocupa que tú vengas.

Need the indirect object pronoun.

Me preocupa que tú no estudias.

Me preocupa que tú no estudies.

Subjunctive required.

Me preocupa que él es tarde.

Me preocupa que él llegue tarde.

Need a verb, not just an adjective.

Me preocupa que yo llego tarde.

Me preocupa llegar tarde.

Same subject = infinitive.

Nos preocupan que ellos no vienen.

Nos preocupa que ellos no vengan.

Preocupar matches the thing, not the person.

Me preocupa que ellos no saben.

Me preocupa que ellos no sepan.

Subjunctive of saber is sepan.

Me preocupa que él ha venido.

Me preocupa que él haya venido.

Need perfect subjunctive.

Me preocupa que él vendría.

Me preocupa que él venga.

Wrong tense.

Me preocupa que el hecho de que él viene.

Me preocupa que él venga.

Redundant structure.

Me preocupa que la situación es tal que...

Me preocupa que la situación sea tal que...

Subjunctive required.

Me preocupa que se ha hecho.

Me preocupa que se haya hecho.

Perfect subjunctive.

Me preocupa que ellos no hubieran ido.

Me preocupa que no hayan ido.

Tense mismatch.

Me preocupa que la gente no sabe.

Me preocupa que la gente no sepa.

Collective noun agreement.

Sentence Patterns

Me preocupa que ___ (tú/hacer) tarde.

Nos preocupa que el proyecto no ___ (ser) suficiente.

Me preocupa que ellos no ___ (tener) dinero.

Me preocupa que la situación ___ (empeorar).

Real World Usage

Texting very common

Me preocupa que no me escribas.

Job Interview common

Me preocupa que el equipo no esté listo.

Travel common

Me preocupa que perdamos el vuelo.

Social Media common

Me preocupa que la gente no entienda el mensaje.

Food Delivery occasional

Me preocupa que la comida llegue fría.

Parenting constant

Me preocupa que mi hijo no coma bien.

💡

Check the subject

Always check if the subject of the first and second verb is the same. If it is, use the infinitive!
⚠️

Don't use indicative

The most common error is using the indicative. If you feel emotion, use the subjunctive.
🎯

Use 'que'

The word 'que' is your signal that a subjunctive verb is likely coming next.
💬

Regional variations

In some countries, people use 'Me da pendiente' instead of 'Me preocupa'.

Smart Tips

Pause and think: is the subject changing?

Me preocupa que él viene. Me preocupa que él venga.

Don't use 'que', use the infinitive.

Me preocupa que yo llego tarde. Me preocupa llegar tarde.

Use the subjunctive to show professional concern.

Me preocupa que el informe es malo. Me preocupa que el informe sea deficiente.

If the main verb is present, use present subjunctive.

Me preocupa que él vino. Me preocupa que él haya venido.

Pronunciation

pre-o-CU-pa

Stress on 'preocupa'

The stress is on the 'u' (pre-o-CU-pa).

Concerned tone

Me preocupa que... (falling intonation)

Shows genuine worry.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Pre-O-Cup-Ar: Put the 'O' (Emotion) in the 'Cup' (Subjunctive).

Visual Association

Imagine a cup labeled 'Subjunctive'. When you feel worried, you pour your emotion into that cup, and the verb inside changes shape.

Rhyme

When you worry, don't be sure, use the subjunctive to be pure.

Story

Maria is worried about her cat. She says, 'Me preocupa que mi gato no coma'. Because she is worried, the verb 'comer' becomes 'coma'. If she were just talking about herself, she would say 'Me preocupa comer', but since it's the cat, the subjunctive is required.

Word Web

PreocuparQueSubjuntivoEmociónDudaSentimiento

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about things that worry you today using 'Me preocupa que'.

Cultural Notes

People often use 'Me raya' instead of 'Me preocupa' in very informal settings.

The use of 'Me preocupa' is standard, but 'Me da pendiente' is a common colloquial alternative.

They might use 'Me preocupa' but often with 'vos' conjugation.

From Latin 'praeoccupare', meaning to seize before.

Conversation Starters

¿Qué es algo que te preocupa de tu trabajo?

¿Te preocupa que el clima cambie mucho?

¿Te preocupa que la tecnología nos controle?

¿Qué te preocupa más de viajar solo?

Journal Prompts

Write about three things that worry you about the future.
Describe a time you were worried about a friend.
What worries you about the current state of the world?
If you were a leader, what would you worry about?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.

Me preocupa que tú ___ (llegar) tarde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive required after 'Me preocupa que'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is required.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Me preocupa que ellos no tienen dinero.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
Should be 'tengan'.
Change to subjunctive. Sentence Transformation

Me preocupa que él estudia (change to subjunctive).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subjunctive is 'estudie'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ¿Te preocupa el examen? B: Sí, me preocupa que ___ (ser) difícil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive required.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

Me / que / preocupa / llueva.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct word order.
Conjugate 'hacer' for 'tú'. Conjugation Drill

Me preocupa que tú ___ (hacer) eso.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is 'hagas'.
Match the emotion to the trigger. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Emotion triggers subjunctive.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb.

Me preocupa que tú ___ (llegar) tarde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive required after 'Me preocupa que'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is required.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Me preocupa que ellos no tienen dinero.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
Should be 'tengan'.
Change to subjunctive. Sentence Transformation

Me preocupa que él estudia (change to subjunctive).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Subjunctive is 'estudie'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ¿Te preocupa el examen? B: Sí, me preocupa que ___ (ser) difícil.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive required.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

Me / que / preocupa / llueva.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a
Correct word order.
Conjugate 'hacer' for 'tú'. Conjugation Drill

Me preocupa que tú ___ (hacer) eso.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Subjunctive is 'hagas'.
Match the emotion to the trigger. Match Pairs

Match 'Me preocupa que' to the correct mood.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Emotion triggers subjunctive.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Translate to Spanish using the subjunctive. Translation

It worries me that you are sick.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Me preocupa que estés enfermo
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

que / preocupa / Me / llegues / tarde

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Me preocupa que llegues tarde
Choose the correct pronoun. Fill in the Blank

A nosotros _______ preocupa que no haya comida.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nos
Correct the verb ending. Error Correction

Te preocupa que ella no te llama.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Te preocupa que ella no te llame.
Match the pronoun with the correct meaning. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Me | It worries me, Te | It worries you, Le | It worries him/her, Nos | It worries us
Choose the correct form of preocupar. Multiple Choice

_______ preocupa que no tengamos internet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Me
Complete the sentence with the subjunctive of 'hacer'. Fill in the Blank

Nos preocupa que el niño _______ ruido.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: haga
Fix the pluralization if necessary. Error Correction

Me preocupan que tú no comas.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Me preocupa que tú no comas.
Translate to Spanish. Translation

It worries them that we don't study.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les preocupa que no estudiemos
Put the words in order. Sentence Reorder

que / llueva / preocupa / Nos / mañana

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nos preocupa que llueva mañana

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Because the thing that worries you is the subject. 'It worries me' = 'Me preocupa'.

No, when expressing emotion, the subjunctive is mandatory.

Use the infinitive: 'Me preocupa llegar tarde'.

Yes, use the imperfect subjunctive: 'Me preocupaba que vinieras'.

The grammar is the same, but colloquial expressions might vary.

No, it must be followed by a clause with a verb.

It is used in both contexts.

Look for the 'que' trigger after an emotive verb.

Scaffolded Practice

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2

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4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

French high

Je m'inquiète que + Subjonctif

The trigger is very similar in both languages.

German low

Ich mache mir Sorgen, dass...

German does not have a subjunctive mood for this.

Japanese low

心配している (shinpai shiteiru)

No mood change.

Arabic partial

أقلق من أن (aqlaq min anna)

No subjunctive mood change.

Chinese low

我担心 (wǒ dānxīn)

No conjugation.

English low

I worry that...

Spanish requires the subjunctive.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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