I've been having trouble with using the subjunctive mood. I've had two years of high school in spanish and the rest has been self taught, through the internet, audio cds, and traveling. I consider myself fluent and can talk about anything, I often get comments about how good my spanish is from native speakers. However,I still struggle with the subjunctive tense and when it's appropriate to use. Do any other non-native spanish speakers have this problem? Are there any websites or books that focus on this aspect of spanish?
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Trouble with subjunctive
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The subjuntive is difficult for English speakers because we don't really use it anymore.
In Spanish there are certain times that it must be used. After certain words,verbs, or phrases The subjuntive many times suggests some sort of uncertainty...
If I come..... I may not
Maybe I'll call.... maybe I won't
When I come.... I may not
I hope you will call... I might not
I am using Practice Makes Perfect Spanish Verb Tense by Dorothy Devaney and she gives a pretty decent explaination. It's pages long with examples.
If you get a chance take a look at the book. They have it at Barnes and Noble. It's very good.
In Spanish there are certain times that it must be used. After certain words,verbs, or phrases The subjuntive many times suggests some sort of uncertainty...
If I come..... I may not
Maybe I'll call.... maybe I won't
When I come.... I may not
I hope you will call... I might not
I am using Practice Makes Perfect Spanish Verb Tense by Dorothy Devaney and she gives a pretty decent explaination. It's pages long with examples.
If you get a chance take a look at the book. They have it at Barnes and Noble. It's very good.
High Level Overview-
This is yet another great grammar topic that may not get the amount of responses it should get IMO for many reasons. You are assuming that most have done formal studies and many have not. Learning on the internet has somewhat replaced formal classroom studies for many which is unfortunate because classroom studies for languages with a good educator is a combination for success. If you find good sources on the web they can compliment what you already know. However, web sources are limited and tend not to be extensive from what I have seen. I am a strong believer in purchasing (or borrowing from the library) proper textbooks and formal studies.
In your post you stated the subjunctive tense however to be correct the subjunctive is a mood. There are three moods in Spanish, the indicative, subjunctive and imperative mood. All textbooks provide a definition of the three; therefore I will not extend here. However, part of the difficulty lies in the fact the subjunctive has virtually disappeared in English, and many people will say that in English it does not exist. Sure it does, most times people err or the verb form does not change so speakers who are forced to learn the grammar of another language tend to say the subjunctive does not exist in English.
Commonly today "I wish I was rich" has replaced the correct grammatical form "I wish I were rich". Since it is a contrary to fact statement "were" is the correct verb form in the subjunctive. If you say "I was rich", that clearly means at one point in time you were, it?s a statement of fact. However, to use "was" in an "if" statement is incorrect since you are not rich. There are many more examples of incorrect usage in English which definitely impacts the usage in another language where the subjunctive is vital.
Out of the languages derived from Latin, Spanish has the strongest usage of the subjunctive today followed closely by French. Surprisingly, some of the subjunctive forms in French have been lost but for the most part it?s just as alive and vital in this sister romance language. It?s so wonderful to be able to compare and in general there are similar patterns in Spanish and French but there are grammatical patterns in Spanish that require the subjunctive where French uses the indicative which is an example of the extensive usage in Spanish.
I think you should specify the areas of grammar that require the subjunctive that pose difficulty. It?s a broad topic. Certain verbs, adverbs of time referring to the future (cuando tengas tiempo, cuando vayas a la tienda etc.), prepositional phrases, most forms of the imperative mood require the subjunctive (no vayas, no digas, no dudes etc. ) and many other instances. Understanding why is the key to correct usage and practice. Basic knowledge is not enough because when you get into complex sentence patterns knowledge of the subjunctive is necessary. Espero que, quiero que, es necesario que followed by the subjunctive is basic grammar.
As I keep saying in this forum, to master Spanish and any language, other than essential good grammar knowledge reading is so important. If you read good newspapers, magazines and books combined with grammatical studies you will improve your understanding of the subjunctive and its importance from a grammatical perspective. Day to day interaction alone will not suffice to master the usage.
There many excellent resources on the market if you are willing to spend some money on a good textbook. I am not sure how much I will participate in this thread because I would like to see others participate so if you are looking for more advice and suggestions feel free to send me a private message.
-LDG.
This is yet another great grammar topic that may not get the amount of responses it should get IMO for many reasons. You are assuming that most have done formal studies and many have not. Learning on the internet has somewhat replaced formal classroom studies for many which is unfortunate because classroom studies for languages with a good educator is a combination for success. If you find good sources on the web they can compliment what you already know. However, web sources are limited and tend not to be extensive from what I have seen. I am a strong believer in purchasing (or borrowing from the library) proper textbooks and formal studies.
In your post you stated the subjunctive tense however to be correct the subjunctive is a mood. There are three moods in Spanish, the indicative, subjunctive and imperative mood. All textbooks provide a definition of the three; therefore I will not extend here. However, part of the difficulty lies in the fact the subjunctive has virtually disappeared in English, and many people will say that in English it does not exist. Sure it does, most times people err or the verb form does not change so speakers who are forced to learn the grammar of another language tend to say the subjunctive does not exist in English.
Commonly today "I wish I was rich" has replaced the correct grammatical form "I wish I were rich". Since it is a contrary to fact statement "were" is the correct verb form in the subjunctive. If you say "I was rich", that clearly means at one point in time you were, it?s a statement of fact. However, to use "was" in an "if" statement is incorrect since you are not rich. There are many more examples of incorrect usage in English which definitely impacts the usage in another language where the subjunctive is vital.
Out of the languages derived from Latin, Spanish has the strongest usage of the subjunctive today followed closely by French. Surprisingly, some of the subjunctive forms in French have been lost but for the most part it?s just as alive and vital in this sister romance language. It?s so wonderful to be able to compare and in general there are similar patterns in Spanish and French but there are grammatical patterns in Spanish that require the subjunctive where French uses the indicative which is an example of the extensive usage in Spanish.
I think you should specify the areas of grammar that require the subjunctive that pose difficulty. It?s a broad topic. Certain verbs, adverbs of time referring to the future (cuando tengas tiempo, cuando vayas a la tienda etc.), prepositional phrases, most forms of the imperative mood require the subjunctive (no vayas, no digas, no dudes etc. ) and many other instances. Understanding why is the key to correct usage and practice. Basic knowledge is not enough because when you get into complex sentence patterns knowledge of the subjunctive is necessary. Espero que, quiero que, es necesario que followed by the subjunctive is basic grammar.
As I keep saying in this forum, to master Spanish and any language, other than essential good grammar knowledge reading is so important. If you read good newspapers, magazines and books combined with grammatical studies you will improve your understanding of the subjunctive and its importance from a grammatical perspective. Day to day interaction alone will not suffice to master the usage.
There many excellent resources on the market if you are willing to spend some money on a good textbook. I am not sure how much I will participate in this thread because I would like to see others participate so if you are looking for more advice and suggestions feel free to send me a private message.
-LDG.
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I think there is a reason for subjunctive disappearing in English and other languages, it IS redundant (useless if you ask me). It doesn't convey any information, if something is uncertain then there is a proposition and/or verb beforehand that describes it. What is the point of changing the next verb and the next....
I think I just leave the subjunctive section of Spanish until it disappears from this language too, what a waste of ..... (you can see how much I hate these complicated subj*****, I don't think I ever learn them !!?). Has anyone come up with a Spanish Language injection yet - I'm about to give up on this language, I pay anything for it...... Heeeeeeelp
I think I just leave the subjunctive section of Spanish until it disappears from this language too, what a waste of ..... (you can see how much I hate these complicated subj*****, I don't think I ever learn them !!?). Has anyone come up with a Spanish Language injection yet - I'm about to give up on this language, I pay anything for it...... Heeeeeeelp
the subjunctive is alive!
The subjunctive mood (not "tense") is used less and less in English, but very often we use it without realizing it, and its proper use distinguishes the truly eloquent speaker.
The use of the subjunctive in Spanish is much more complicated and can only be learned by studying one's grammar -- repeatedly. And far from being useless, it is chock full of nuance and meaning. Here is a simple example from my grammar:
?Crees que viene?
?Crees que venga?
In the first case, the speaker anticipates an affirmative answer, while in the second a negative. Doubt is expressed in the second example. OK, a small nuance, I grant you, but a valid one. Spanish is full of such nuances and it can get quite subtle. it is one of the beauties of Spanish and accounts in part for its concision.
I use two grammars -- my pocket size Collins Gem Spanish Verb Tables and Grammar ( a surprisingly thorough and comprehensive tool) and B?rbara Mujica's El Pr?ximo Paso. An excellent dictionary is Webster's New World Spanish Dictionary.
The subjunctive mood (not "tense") is used less and less in English, but very often we use it without realizing it, and its proper use distinguishes the truly eloquent speaker.
The use of the subjunctive in Spanish is much more complicated and can only be learned by studying one's grammar -- repeatedly. And far from being useless, it is chock full of nuance and meaning. Here is a simple example from my grammar:
?Crees que viene?
?Crees que venga?
In the first case, the speaker anticipates an affirmative answer, while in the second a negative. Doubt is expressed in the second example. OK, a small nuance, I grant you, but a valid one. Spanish is full of such nuances and it can get quite subtle. it is one of the beauties of Spanish and accounts in part for its concision.
I use two grammars -- my pocket size Collins Gem Spanish Verb Tables and Grammar ( a surprisingly thorough and comprehensive tool) and B?rbara Mujica's El Pr?ximo Paso. An excellent dictionary is Webster's New World Spanish Dictionary.
I
I think I just leave the subjunctive section of Spanish until it disappears from this language too, what a waste of ..... (you can see how much I hate these complicated subj*****, I don't think I ever learn them !!?). Has anyone come up with a Spanish Language injection yet - I'm about to give up on this language, I pay anything for it...... Heeeeeeelp
It will never disappear. But, please, do not give up! You are learning a very useful language. Take one verb at a time and use it. Here is your homework with an ar verb:
llamar (to call)
1. Espero que (t?) me llames. (I hope you call me.)
2. Necesito que me llames. (I need you to call me.)
3. Quiero (deseo) que me llames. (I want you to call me.)
You might say, why not ll?mame (call me)? Of couse it is correct. But if you use the subjunctive when giving a command, simply put, you sound nicer.
I've been wathcing this forum and after the experts have weighed in,
I'd like to give my two centavos. To the poster who says the subjunctive is obsolete in english, then let it BE said, if I WERE to tell
him where to find it in English, he NEED not despair! Its everywhere as it is in spanish.
One cannot claim to be fluent in spanish without knowing the subjunctive, or the other 15 or so tenses, moods. Sounds daunting, but about half are the past perfect. As long as you can conjugate haber and form a past participle, it as straight forward as it is in english.
Tenga, sea, pueda are said by all spanish speakers, Campesinos and educated alike. I agree with most posters, reading is the key, You will see all tenses. moods displayed for your perusal.
As for me, the imperfect tense gives me the most trouble, as an english speaker. English really only has one past tense. When to say yo fui vs. yo era, yo sab?a vs.yo supe or yo tuve vs. yo ten?a?
I'd like to give my two centavos. To the poster who says the subjunctive is obsolete in english, then let it BE said, if I WERE to tell
him where to find it in English, he NEED not despair! Its everywhere as it is in spanish.
One cannot claim to be fluent in spanish without knowing the subjunctive, or the other 15 or so tenses, moods. Sounds daunting, but about half are the past perfect. As long as you can conjugate haber and form a past participle, it as straight forward as it is in english.
Tenga, sea, pueda are said by all spanish speakers, Campesinos and educated alike. I agree with most posters, reading is the key, You will see all tenses. moods displayed for your perusal.
As for me, the imperfect tense gives me the most trouble, as an english speaker. English really only has one past tense. When to say yo fui vs. yo era, yo sab?a vs.yo supe or yo tuve vs. yo ten?a?
Read the rules of grammar-
This is an interesting comment about the imperfect tense. In my experience most people have problems with the preterit and/or the present perfect in Spanish, which I can more readily understand why if you compare Spanish verb tenses to its origin Latin and the other three languages that derived from it. Spanish is the only language that has kept the preterit tense in daily speech. French only uses this equivalent tense in literature. However, I don?t think the imperfect subjunctive and its proper usage should pose difficulty.
The examples you give are classic examples of verbs that pose difficulty meaning knowing when to use one tense over the other. However, if you understand the nuance behind the imperfect vs. the preterit you should not have this doubt. Once again grammar textbooks clearly indicate problematic verbs that will require solid understanding of nuances when choosing one over the other. These verbs include ser, querer, saber, tener just to name a few and in some cases the meaning changes if you choose one tense instead of the other.
As well, time markers will define the time frame and this way one tense will be grammatically correct and more logical. Words such as siempre indicate repetition thus the imperfect tense (siempre pensaba, siempre iba etc) and ayer, la semana pasada etc. are specific time markers that indicate actions that began and ended thus the preterit tense (ayer fui al supermercado, la semana pasada estuve en Ginebra).
My suggestion is to read small newspaper paragraphs daily and every time a past tense is used analyze why. Look at every verb used in the preterit and imperfect tense and ask yourself if you understand why. If you have doubts you need to find the grammatical answer. Here is a sample from today?s paper elsiglo.com (Panama).
This kind of practice daily will surely help clarify your doubts about the imperfect tense specifically with certain verbs.
Grammar Tip- Latin language comparison
* If you speak or have knowledge of another romance language it?s always recommended to leverage from it, especially where grammar concepts are concerned. Although French and Spanish are not lexically similar (most words), the grammar is and in some cases the rules are identical. It?s just another concept about these Latin languages that is amazing IMO although each continues to transform.
-LDG.
As for me, the imperfect tense gives me the most trouble, as an english speaker. English really only has one past tense. When to say yo fui vs. yo era, yo sab?a vs.yo supe or yo tuve vs. yo ten?a?
This is an interesting comment about the imperfect tense. In my experience most people have problems with the preterit and/or the present perfect in Spanish, which I can more readily understand why if you compare Spanish verb tenses to its origin Latin and the other three languages that derived from it. Spanish is the only language that has kept the preterit tense in daily speech. French only uses this equivalent tense in literature. However, I don?t think the imperfect subjunctive and its proper usage should pose difficulty.
The examples you give are classic examples of verbs that pose difficulty meaning knowing when to use one tense over the other. However, if you understand the nuance behind the imperfect vs. the preterit you should not have this doubt. Once again grammar textbooks clearly indicate problematic verbs that will require solid understanding of nuances when choosing one over the other. These verbs include ser, querer, saber, tener just to name a few and in some cases the meaning changes if you choose one tense instead of the other.
As well, time markers will define the time frame and this way one tense will be grammatically correct and more logical. Words such as siempre indicate repetition thus the imperfect tense (siempre pensaba, siempre iba etc) and ayer, la semana pasada etc. are specific time markers that indicate actions that began and ended thus the preterit tense (ayer fui al supermercado, la semana pasada estuve en Ginebra).
My suggestion is to read small newspaper paragraphs daily and every time a past tense is used analyze why. Look at every verb used in the preterit and imperfect tense and ask yourself if you understand why. If you have doubts you need to find the grammatical answer. Here is a sample from today?s paper elsiglo.com (Panama).
Gloria Estefan amadrina a inmigrantes
La cantante Gloria Estefan cant? a capela el himno nacional de Estados Unidos para dar la bienvenida a cerca de mil inmigrantes que se convirtieron en ciudadanos estadounidenses en una ceremonia en Disney World, en Orlando, Florida. Estefan, convertida en un s?mbolo del ?xito de los inmigrantes hispanos en Estados Unidos, felicit? a los nuevos ciudadanos y los llam? a respetar a los Estados Unidos, pero sin "olvidarse de sus ra?ces". La int?rprete de ?Conga? y ?Oye mi canto? record? que en su caso, cuando era ni?a, tuvo que salir a Canad? con su padre para despu?s hacerse ciudadana.
This kind of practice daily will surely help clarify your doubts about the imperfect tense specifically with certain verbs.
Grammar Tip- Latin language comparison
* If you speak or have knowledge of another romance language it?s always recommended to leverage from it, especially where grammar concepts are concerned. Although French and Spanish are not lexically similar (most words), the grammar is and in some cases the rules are identical. It?s just another concept about these Latin languages that is amazing IMO although each continues to transform.
-LDG.
Another newspaper example-
I saved this article from Monday's newspaper El Universal (Cartagena, Colombia) to show how the subjunctive is a vital part of the Spanish language. To hope that it will eventually disappear does not make any grammatical sense just by taking into consideration the fact that the formal commands are equivalent to the present subjunctive and the informal negative commands (no hables, no pidas, no digas etc) are also the present subjunctive forms.
This is an interesting aspect once again about Spanish grammar patterns as compared to its sister romance languages and how their command forms are formed. However, as Latin evolved into four languages many of the grammar aspects remained true to its origin however, there was some grammatical drift. This is just one example how the languages differ. Sometimes all four of the languages have the same grammar concepts in common and other times only two or three. The subjunctive is a key aspect of Spanish grammar. There's no way around it.
According to the newspaper article robbery of cell phones in Colombia is very common nationwide. The article offers tips to the public as to how to avoid being a victim of cell phone robbery. Note the advice (consejos) are all formal commands in Spanish that are also examples of the subjunctive.
This is an excerpt.
source eluniversal.com (July 9, 2007)
-LDG.
I saved this article from Monday's newspaper El Universal (Cartagena, Colombia) to show how the subjunctive is a vital part of the Spanish language. To hope that it will eventually disappear does not make any grammatical sense just by taking into consideration the fact that the formal commands are equivalent to the present subjunctive and the informal negative commands (no hables, no pidas, no digas etc) are also the present subjunctive forms.
This is an interesting aspect once again about Spanish grammar patterns as compared to its sister romance languages and how their command forms are formed. However, as Latin evolved into four languages many of the grammar aspects remained true to its origin however, there was some grammatical drift. This is just one example how the languages differ. Sometimes all four of the languages have the same grammar concepts in common and other times only two or three. The subjunctive is a key aspect of Spanish grammar. There's no way around it.
According to the newspaper article robbery of cell phones in Colombia is very common nationwide. The article offers tips to the public as to how to avoid being a victim of cell phone robbery. Note the advice (consejos) are all formal commands in Spanish that are also examples of the subjunctive.
This is an excerpt.
Seg?n datos de la Sij?n este a?o los delincuentes han robado 247 equipos m?viles, siendo el atraco la modalidad m?s utilizada; seguida de los descuidos, el raponazo (ladr?n quita el bolso y sale corriendo) y la ventosa (hampones ingresan a una casa o local comercial y se lo llevan).
UN PROBLEMA NACIONAL
La Asociaci?n de la Industria Celular de Colombia (Asocel) denunci? que el a?o pasado en Colombia fueron robados m?s de 1,6 millones de celulares. El 60 por ciento de esos robos se dio por raponazo, seg?n ese gremio de las telecomunicaciones.
Consejos
?Est? atento en la calle para constatar si personas desconocidas lo siguen.
? Evite contestar el tel?fono en sitios en los que hay mucha gente y, a su vez, en los que est?n desolados.
? No preste el tel?fono ni d? el n?mero a personas extra?as.
? No cargue el aparato en los portacelulares que se utilizan en el cuello o en la correa.
? Si est? en la calle, procure no hablar durante mucho tiempo.
? Evite ostentar con tel?fonos celulares de ?ltima tecnolog?a.
? No deje a la vista el tel?fono, a?n si est? en la oficina o en casa.
? En el caso de las mujeres, revisar constantemente el bolso.
source eluniversal.com (July 9, 2007)
-LDG.
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Thanks for taking the trouble to post another detailed and illuminating effort, but don't expect a Christmas card from the Romanian ambassador this year! You have just eliminated 22 million Romanic language speakers quicker than Stalin could have done.However, as Latin evolved into four [????] languages
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Modern day linguistic analysis-
london777-
This point has been has been discussed before in another thread over a year ago. My point of reference is strictly modern day linguistic analysis.
One of the best gems of a reference titled De una a cuatro lenguas del espa?ol al portugues al italiano y al franc?s printed in 2001 goes into thorough detail as to why in modern day linguistic studies only the four languages are analyzed. If you ever find this gem, you will understand why. I won't get into details here or else there will be no motivation for you to do some research. There is a reason and I know the answer.
Bonne chance.
-LDG.
london777-
This point has been has been discussed before in another thread over a year ago. My point of reference is strictly modern day linguistic analysis.
One of the best gems of a reference titled De una a cuatro lenguas del espa?ol al portugues al italiano y al franc?s printed in 2001 goes into thorough detail as to why in modern day linguistic studies only the four languages are analyzed. If you ever find this gem, you will understand why. I won't get into details here or else there will be no motivation for you to do some research. There is a reason and I know the answer.
Bonne chance.
-LDG.
I was just standing up for the ordinary Romanian on the Plovdid omnibus. They are very proud of their "Romanic" language and they don't have a lot else to be cheerful about, poor devils.This point has been has been discussed before in another thread over a year ago. My point of reference is strictly modern day linguistic analysis.
-LDG.
I can well imagine that an intimate knowledge of Romanian grammar would not throw a lot of light on the use of the subjunctive in Spanish.
I should have known better than to mess with you. I'm off now to see my analyst (modern day linguistic, of course).
Although I struggle with the subjunctive in Spanish as well, I keep trying because it allows me to have profound conversations with others. Also, as a side-effect of having studied French, German and Spanish, I think I speak better English, my first language!
Back in the gradeschool days I was one of the cohort that missed grammar and phonetics because it was taken out of the curriculum.
Back in the gradeschool days I was one of the cohort that missed grammar and phonetics because it was taken out of the curriculum.
What bedevils me is the use of the present subjunctive in clauses that are not preceded by verbs of condition or feeling or conjunctions and prepositional phrases that may require the subjunctive, but where the inherent conditionality of the statement is such that the subjunctive is necessary.
The poster who noted the use of "were" in English makes a great point. Even rarer is the present subjunctive: "I urge that he be here at 2 pm" or "I fear lest he be late" or "If they be good men, then I am a prince," etc.
I'd add that Portuguese also uses the subjunctive, especially in future conditions, or requires the future subjunctive at times when Spanish might require the present subjunctive for future events. Cf:
English: I know I will be in Santo Domingo tomorrow.
Spanish: S? que ser? ma?ana en Santo Domingo.
French: Je sais que serai demain ? Santo Domingo.
BUT:
Portuguese: Eu sei que for* amanh? no Santo Domingo.
*Not the future "serei" but the future subjunctive "for".
Is this correct in Spanish?
Spanish: Cuando llegue, le hablar?.
Portuguese: Quando chegar*, lhe falarei. OR
Quando chegar*, vou lhe falar.
Not the present subjunctive "chegue* but the future subjunctive "chegar."
The poster who noted the use of "were" in English makes a great point. Even rarer is the present subjunctive: "I urge that he be here at 2 pm" or "I fear lest he be late" or "If they be good men, then I am a prince," etc.
Out of the languages derived from Latin, Spanish has the strongest usage of the subjunctive today followed closely by French. Surprisingly, some of the subjunctive forms in French have been lost but for the most part it?s just as alive and vital in this sister romance language. It?s so wonderful to be able to compare and in general there are similar patterns in Spanish and French but there are grammatical patterns in Spanish that require the subjunctive where French uses the indicative which is an example of the extensive usage in Spanish.
I'd add that Portuguese also uses the subjunctive, especially in future conditions, or requires the future subjunctive at times when Spanish might require the present subjunctive for future events. Cf:
English: I know I will be in Santo Domingo tomorrow.
Spanish: S? que ser? ma?ana en Santo Domingo.
French: Je sais que serai demain ? Santo Domingo.
BUT:
Portuguese: Eu sei que for* amanh? no Santo Domingo.
*Not the future "serei" but the future subjunctive "for".
Is this correct in Spanish?
Spanish: Cuando llegue, le hablar?.
Portuguese: Quando chegar*, lhe falarei. OR
Quando chegar*, vou lhe falar.
Not the present subjunctive "chegue* but the future subjunctive "chegar."
English: I know I will be in Santo Domingo tomorrow.
Spanish: S? que estar? ma?ana en Santo Domingo.
Is this correct in Spanish?
Spanish: Cuando llegue, le hablar?.
I changed the sere to estare because estar is used in this case.
The second phrase sounds correct.
The best way to learn the subjunctive is memorize the set phrases like "Para que..." and then to focus on the instances of uncertainty in which it is used by listening to hispanics speak. When one has a good handle on the verbs and when one's ear is astute enough at recognizing when the verb ending is the subjective one little by little one will learn when to use it.
I'd add that Portuguese also uses the subjunctive, especially in future conditions, or requires the future subjunctive at times when Spanish might require the present subjunctive for future events. Cf:
English: I know I will be in Santo Domingo tomorrow.
Spanish: S? que ser? ma?ana en Santo Domingo.
There is no subjunctive in the sentence:
S? que estar? ma?ana en Santo Domingo.
s? -- present indicative verb "saber" (irregular verb)
estar? -- future indicative verb "estar"
Norma
There is no subjunctive in the sentence:
S? que estar? ma?ana en Santo Domingo.
s? -- present indicative verb "saber" (irregular verb)
estar? -- future indicative verb "estar"
Norma
Norma, very good catch--I used the wrong verb for "be" in both Spanish and Portuguese--in both languages it should have been "estar" and not "ser." Thanks for this!
H
Hi Chip, thanks for catching this. I know the difference, but unaccountably used the wrong verb in both Spanish and Portuguese--it would "estar?" in Spanish, but "estivar" (and not "estarei") in Portuguese.
In terms of the set phrases, the verbs of feeling, condition and exhortation, and many of the conjunctions, I've got those, but there are times when I see the present subjunctive and it seems as if the present indicative would work just fine. I'm trying to think of an example, but nothing is coming to mind....
I changed the sere to estare because estar is used in this case.
The second phrase sounds correct.
The best way to learn the subjunctive is memorize the set phrases like "Para que..." and then to focus on the instances of uncertainty in which it is used by listening to hispanics speak. When one has a good handle on the verbs and when one's ear is astute enough at recognizing when the verb ending is the subjective one little by little one will learn when to use it.
Hi Chip, thanks for catching this. I know the difference, but unaccountably used the wrong verb in both Spanish and Portuguese--it would "estar?" in Spanish, but "estivar" (and not "estarei") in Portuguese.
In terms of the set phrases, the verbs of feeling, condition and exhortation, and many of the conjunctions, I've got those, but there are times when I see the present subjunctive and it seems as if the present indicative would work just fine. I'm trying to think of an example, but nothing is coming to mind....
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