the subjunctive Lesson 2.15

Question

In Lesson 2.15, "I stretch" is "estire" and "I sleep" is "duerma" and "I run" is "corra."

I understand (I think!) that, according to this lesson, you are supposed to use the subjunctive to give a suggestion, advice, etc. But in the examples above, the person is saying what s/he does, not giving a suggestion.

Also, the translations for these in the English are grammatically incorrect.

So I am confused. Can anyone help me out on this?

thanks!! Nancy

Answer 1

But in the examples above, the person is saying what s/he does, not giving a suggestion.

You need to provide the context for the verbs (we need to see the entire sentence that they are used in. Just looking at the subjunctive/indicative mood conjugation in present tense tells you almost nothing.)

duermes (indicative)=you sleep

duermas (subjunctive)=you sleep

The translation may be the same, but that does not mean that they are used in the same sentence constructions.

Tú duermes en la habitacíon a la izquierda del cuarto de baño. (indicativo)

Espero que duermas bien. (subjuntivo)

In the specific lesson, these subjunctive verbs are used in subordinate clauses where there is a subject change and the main clause verb is one of suggestion or recommendation.

Recomiendo que....(clause containing a subjunctive mood verb).

Sugiero que...(clause containing a subjunctive mood verb)

Well, that's the problem. In the exercises (not the video) there are no sentences. You may have to look at the lesson to see what I mean.... - NancyPH, Sep 11, 2010

My apologies, then. I understand what you mean about the practice part of the lesson .vs. the video. I think that it is just assumed that you are doing them both together and will carry the context of the video into the lessons. I think you brought up - 0074b507, Sep 11, 2010

a legitimate point. Practically, however, I don't see a way to correct it. The flashcards need to have minimal prompts for timed responses. - 0074b507, Sep 11, 2010

I am also quite baffled but this helped Qfreed. Thanks - Ada-S, Nov 11, 2011

Answer 2

Oh! Maybe I am answering my own question. Is it like this b/c it's part of the suggestion, e.g., He recommends that I stretch, that I sleep, etc.?

You guys have GREAT lessons but a little more explanation in the exercises of this lesson would probably make things more clear.

Also, I understand now about the translations. But again, if there was some indication that these phrases are the subj. part of the sentence, and not stand alone, it would be a lot clearer. Perhaps just a "(that)" before the subject would work, e.g., (that) I stretch, or (that) I sleep, to give the idea that it's implied.

Thanks for everything; I'm learning a lot!