Why is it difficult for students to understand when to use Subjunctive vs Indicative? Spanish Indicative talks about facts while Spanish subjunctive talks about doubts, wants, beliefs, needs, feelings, emotions, etc.. The sentences below will clearly illustrate when to use Spanish Subjunctive vs Indicative.
Indicative Yo tengo que estudiar las palabras.
I have to study the words. Subjunctive El profesor quiere que yo estudie las palabras.
The teacher wants me to study the words.
Indicative Tú tienes que estudiar las palabras.
You have to study the words. Subjunctive El profesor quiere que tú estudies las palabras.
The teacher wants you to study the words.
Indicative María tiene que estudiar las palabras.
Mary has to study the words. Subjunctive El profesor quiere que María estudie las palabras.
The teacher wants Mary to study the words.
Indicative Nosotros tenemos que estudiar las palabras.
We have to study the words. Subjunctive El profesor quiere que nosotros estudiemos las palabras.
The teacher wants us to study the words.
If you still have doubts about when to use Subjunctive vs Indicative Spanish, please watch the video below or review the grammar section of this lesson.
The Spanish indicative mood suggests that the action of the verb is seen as a fact; it is the mood of certainty, statements are black and white. The Spanish subjunctive is the mood of uncertainty, subjectivity, emotion, doubt. The subjunctive may express ideas which are contrary to fact. Use of the subjunctive suggests that the action of the verb is a supposition, something hoped for, a probability, an improbability, or something expressed emotionally.
The Spanish subjunctive mood appears most frequently in dependent (subordinate) clauses. A dependent clause may function as a noun (subject or object of verb, object of preposition), as an adjective (modifying a noun), or as an adverb (modifying a verb). Usually the subjunctive will appear when the subordinate clause:
depends on an idea of command or causation in the main clause
reflects an emotion in the main clause
depends on an idea of unreality (indefiniteness, doubt, contrary-to-fact) in the main clause.
Noun Clauses
In general, subjunctive is used only where the subject of the main clause and the subject of the subordinate clause are DIFFERENT, in the following situations:
1. Verb of main clause causes or leads to action in the subordinate clause (idea of wishing, asking, desiring, requesting)
Quiero que los visites.
Mando que lo hagas.
Escribo que vengas a verme.
2. Verb of main clause conveys feeling or emotion.
Espero que venga.
Temo que no llegue a tiempo.
Siento que no haya venido.
3. Verb of main clause signifies doubt or denial.
Dudo que lo haya visto.
Niego que venga.
No creo que venga.
4. Impersonal expressions.
Es necesario que lo haga.
Es probable que venga.
Observe that it is the meaning conveyed by the verb, not the particular verb used, that determines whether a subjunctive will appear in the subordinate clause. The verb 'escribir' normally is not a verb of causing, but in the sentence, "Escribo que vengas a verme." it does cause the action in the subordinate clause, and a subjunctive has to be used. Likewise, the verb 'creer' in the sentence "No creo que venga." is used with a meaning of doubt and the subjunctive is used. Note the exceptions to the rule!
No dudo que vendrá.
The verb 'dudar' usually indicates doubt, but here it is used to express certainty.
No niego que es buen muchacho.
The sentence above contains a secondary phrase, introduced by 'que'.
Adjectival Clauses
The subjunctive will be used if the antecedent (the noun which the clause in question modifies) is either non-existent or indefinite.
No hay un hombre que pueda ayudarme.
No tengo un libro que pueda prestarte.
Quiero ver un hombre que hable español. (Any man who happens to speak Spanish will do: no definite antecedent.)
Note the exceptions to the rule!
Tengo un hijo que habla español. (Refers to a specific person)
Existe un hombre que puede ayudarme. (Refers to a specific man)
Adverbial Clauses
1. If the adverbial clause is part of the ESCAPA acronym (en caso de que, sin que, con tal que, a menos de que, para que, and antes de que), the sentence will always require the subjunctive.
a. The next step is to check the tense of your verb. If the verb is in the present or in the future, the adverbial clause will require the present subjunctive.
Voy con tal que tú vayas.
Iré con tal que tú vayas.
b. If the verb is in the preterite, the imperfect, or the conditional, the adverbial clause will require the imperfect subjunctive.
Fui para que tú fueras.
Iba para que tú fueras.
Iría para que tú fueras.
2. When the action in the subordinate clause is not an accomplished fact (usually indicated by the use of the future tense or a hypothetical situation), the sentence will always require the present or the present perfect subjunctive.
Me iré cuando ellos lleguen.
Aunque vayas, no iré.
Aunque hayas ido, no iré.
However, if the action is completed, the preterite is used.
No me fui hasta que llegaron.
Aunque fuiste, yo no fui.
In repeated or habitual (therefore, completed) actions, either the present or the imperfect is used.
Me voy (habitual) cuando ellos llegan. vs Me voy (planning to leave) cuando ellos lleguen.
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