Deber vs Deber de
Hopefully the language experts will come onhere and explain this verb, 'cause i don't know how to, i just use it when need be, jajaja
Si, tu deberias comprar un diccionario mas grande pero no debes gastar mas dinero porque acabarias debiendo mas de lo que tienes. lol
M.A.R- as usual your examples and your Spanish are great. It's a shame you don't have the grammar knowledge to support them. I am like you in the sense that I know what I want to say without thinking but I can explain the grammatical reasons. With the verb deber one has to think in Spanish not in English.
I was waiting to see if anyone else would explain this grammar concept. Oh well...
Deber-
The most common usage is to express obligation (must, should) but it is also used to express probability and likelihood.
The verb tense differentiates the degree of obligation. This verb is studied well in the classroom and I had a prof who simplified the usage perfectly.
The present tense=
Debo- I must (definite obligation)
The conditional tense=
Deber?a, Deber?as - I must, I ought to, I should, You must, You ought to, You should (not as strong). The conditional tense gives it a more polite tone, thus not as strong especially when speaking to others it could even sound like a suggestion IMO.
The imperfect subjunctive=
Debiera- is the strongest and is not as commonly used.
Deber de- to express probability. Ej. Juan debe de estar en casa- Juan must be at home (debe de - probability, likelihood)
Do not interchange between deber an deber de. The meaning changes. Steve, see your examples above.
-LDG.
...back on hiatus