No existe un cigarillo que sea .....................
No existe un cigarillo que sea menos dañino para la salud.
The meaning of this sentence is not a problem for me but.......
why "sea" and not "es" ???
3 Answers
No existe un cigarillo que sea menos dañino para la salud.
The meaning of this sentence is not a problem for me but.......
why "sea" and not "es" ???
"Es" is indicative, which means you would be declaring with respect to a cigarette that you think, suspect, imagine,... (es) that it is less damaging for health (es menos dañino para la salud). But hold on! You began saying that such a thing doesn't exist (No existe...). How come it doesn't exist, but you declare (with indicative) that it does exist? Let me explain:
Indicative: It doesn't exist the cigarette that... but let me tell you that I think there exists a cigarette less damaging for health ??????
Subjunctive must be used unless you want to contradict yourself.
Because the cigarette does not exist ... so how can we "indicate" (using indicative "es") that it does? It is an imaginary cigarette, no? Must be subjunctive.
Perhaps because it is an absolute statement that cannot be completely verified? That would be my best guess.
