Should I use the subjunctive or the indicative?

Question

Hi everyone,

In my Spanish class we read a poem and now I have to write a paragraph about what I think the next scene should be. I'm not sure whether or not I should use the subjunctive or the future tense because I am describing future actions but they aren't doubtful since I am saying that it will be what happens.

For example, should I say:

"Cuando el caballero se da cuenta de que ella es pobre, él no la quiere."

OR

"Cuando el caballero se dé cuenta de que ella es pobre, él no la quiera."?

Or possibly neither one is correct and there is a better answer?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Heidita is right because literature and films are basically forever so to speak, so we always discuss them in present tense.

Heidita tiene razón porque la literatura y las películas son basicamente como quien dice para siempre, así que las discutimos en tiempo presente.

Answer 2

Cuando el caballero se da cuenta de que ella es pobre, él no la quiere.

this is the correct sentence, good job, Kate, welcome to the forum

Answer 3

Thank you all!

That was very helpful

Answer 4

I would use the future tense. Otherwise the order of events is less clear. As in:

When the knight learns that she is poor, then he won't love her.

Your examples are slightly confusing because even tho you mention the future tense, neither example uses it.

Cuando el caballero se da cuenta de que ella es pobre, él no la querrá.

You can click here to see the proper future tense conjugations of querer.

When the knight learns that she is poor, he decides he won't love her. (This works). - 005faa61, Feb 11, 2010

This knight is a shallow swine, isn't he? - 005faa61, Feb 11, 2010