Examples Demonstrate Use of Subjunctive Mood in Spanish

Examples Demonstrate Use of Subjunctive Mood in Spanish The subjunctive mood can be daunting for English speakers learning Spanish - mostly because even though English has a subjunctive mood  we dont use its distinctive forms very often. Therefore, the subjunctive can often be learned best by studying examples of its use. What Is the Subjunctive Mood? Lets start with the basics: First of all, the mood (sometimes called the mode) of the verb expresses either the speakers attitude toward the verb or describes how it is used in a sentence. The most common mood, the indicative mood, is used to refer to what is real, to state facts, to make declarations. For example, the verb in Leo el libro (I am reading the book) is in the indicative mood. In contrast, the subjunctive mood is typically used in such a way that the verbs meaning relates to how the speaker feels about it. In the sentence Espero que està © feliz (I hope that she is happy), the second verb (està © or is) may or may not be reality; what is important here is the speakers attitude toward the second  half of the sentence. Examples of the Subjunctive Mood How the subjunctive is used can best be seen through examples of various uses. In these sample sentences, the Spanish verbs are all in the subjunctive mood, although the English verbs may not be: Quiero que no tengas frà ­o. (I want you to not be cold. Its irrelevant whether the person is cold or not. The sentence expresses a wish, not necessarily reality.)Siento que tengas frà ­o. (Im sorry you are cold. The sentence expresses the speakers emotions about a perceived reality. What is important in this sentence is the speakers feelings, not whether the other person is cold.)Te doy mi chaqueta para que no tengas frà ­o. (Im giving you my coat so you wont be cold. The sentence expresses the speakers intent, not necessarily reality.)Se permite que lleven chaquetas allà ­. (People are allowed to wear jackets there. The phrase expresses permission for an action to take place.)Di a ella que lleve una chaqueta. (Tell her to wear her jacket. This expresses a command or wish of the speaker.)Es preferible que ustedes no viajen maà ±ana a Londres. (It is preferable that you dont travel to London tomorrow. This subjunctive is often used in giving advice.)No hay nadie que tenga frà ­ o. (Nobody is cold. This is an expression of a negation of the action in a subordinate clause.) Tal vez tenga frà ­o. (Perhaps he is cold.) This is an expression of doubt.Si yo fuera un rico, tocarà ­a el violà ­n. (If I were a rich man, I would play the fiddle. This is an expression of a statement contrary to fact. Note that in this English translation, were is also in the subjunctive mood.) Example Sentences Contrasting Subjunctive and Indicative Moods These sentence pairs show show differences between the indicative and subjunctive. Note how in most of the examples the English verb form is the same in translating the two Spanish moods. Indicative: Es cierto que sale tarde. (It is definite that she is leaving late.)Subjunctive: Es imposible que salga tarde. Es probable que salga tarde. (It is impossible that she is leaving late. It is likely that she will leave late.)Explanation: In the indicative sentence, the early departure is presented as fact. In the others, it is not.) Indicative: Busco el carro barato que funciona. (Im looking for the cheap car that works.)Subjunctive: Busco un carro barato que funcione. (Im looking for a cheap car that works.)Explanation: In the first example, the speaker knows that there is a car that matches the description, so the indicative is used as an expression of reality. In the second example, there is doubt that such a car exists, so the subjunctive is used. Indicative: Creo que la visitante es Ana. (I believe the visitor is Ana.)Subjunctive: No creo que la visitante sea Ana. (I dont believe the visitor is Ana.)Explanation: The subjunctive is used in the second example because the subordinate clause is negated by the main clause. Generally, the indicative is used with creer que or pensar que, while the subjunctive is used with no creer que or no pensar que. Indicative: Es obvio que tienes dinero. (It is obvious you have money.)Subjunctive: Es bueno que tengas dinero. (It is good you have money.)Explanation: The indicative is used in the first example because it expresses reality or apparent reality. The subjunctive is used in the other example because the sentence is a reaction to the statement in the subordinate clause. Indicative: Habla bien porque es experto. (He speaks well because hes an expert.)Subjunctive: Habla bien como si fuera experto. (He speaks well as if he were expert.)Explanation: The subjunctive is used in the second example because its irrelevant to the sentence whether hes an expert, although the sentence suggests that he isnt. Indicative: Quizs lo pueden hacer. (Perhaps they can do it (and Im sure of it.))Subjunctive: Quizs lo puedan hacer. (Perhaps they can do it (but I doubt it.))Explanation: In a sentence such as this, the subjunctive is used to emphasize uncertainty or doubt, the indicative to emphasize certainty. Note how the Spanish verb form is used to indicate an attitude that might need further explanation in English. Indicative: Hay polà ­ticos que tienen coraje. (There are politicians who have courage.)Subjunctive:  ¿Hay polà ­ticos que tengan coraje? (Are there politicians with courage?)Explanation: The subjunctive is used in the second example to express doubt, and it is not clear that the subject of the sentence  exists in reality. Indicative: Llegarà © aunque mi carro no funciona. (I will arrive even though my car isnt running.)Subjunctive: Llegarà © aunque mi carro no funcione. (I will arrive even if my car isnt running.)Explanation: The indicative is used in the first sentence because the speaker knows his car isnt working. In the second sentence, the speaker doesnt know whether it is running, so the subjunctive is used. Indicative: La pirmide se ha reconstruido por el gobierno provincial.. (The pyramid has been restored by the provincial government.)Subjunctive: Estoy feliz que la pirmide se haya reconstruido. (I am happy that the pyramid has been restored.)Explanation: The indicative is used in the first sentence because it is a direct statement of fact. The main point of the second example is the speakers reaction to the event, so the subjunctive is used.) Indicative: Cuando ests conmigo se llena mi corazà ³n.  (When you are with me my heart is full.)Subjunctive: Cuando està ©s conmigo iremos por un helado. (When you are with me we will go for an ice cream.)Explanation: When the indicative is used with cuando in a sentence of the type in the first example, it refers to a recurring action. The use of the subjunctive in the second example indicates that the event has yet to take place. A note about English use of the subjunctive The subjunctive was once used in English more than it is today, and today it is used more frequently in formal speech than in everyday use. Cases where it is still used in English might help you remember some of the instances where it is used in Spanish. Contrary-to-fact condition: If I were the president, Id keep us out of war.Expression of a desire: I would like it if he were my father.Expressions of request or advice: I insist that he go. We recommended that he fill out the form. In all the above cases, a straightforward translation to Spanish would likely use the subjunctive mood. But remember that there are numerous instances where the subjunctive is used in Spanish where we make no distinction in English.