When do we use Subjunctive verbs?

Question

Do we need to use it while giving orders?Why cant we use Tener que instead?And why doesnt Paralee use Subjunctive verbs in lesson 2.12-Informal commands in Kitchen?

Answer 1

That is such a broad line of questioning it is impossible to give you an answer! It's kind of like asking, why wasn't I born knowing a second language? You just have to learn.

For starters, verbs aren't "subjunctive". The subjunctive is a mood which all verbs can employ. In Lesson 2.12 Informal Commands Paralee was probably explaining positive informal commands, which don't use the subjunctive. Formal commands and informal negative commands do use the subjunctive.

You can use tener + que at times instead of using an imperative command, but to limit yourself to that construction would mean you hadn't learned Spanish at all.

Good luck,

J

Answer 2

Do we need to use it while giving orders? We have imperative forms for that. Have you seen the conjugations in the dropdown menu under the MORE tab in the toolbar?

Why cant we use Tener que instead? So many options, so many choices. Why does this question sound whiny? Surely you would not have us limit our ability to express ourselves in Spanish.

And why doesnt Paralee use Subjunctive verbs in lesson 2.12-Informal commands in Kitchen? Why does she use command forms for commands? Is that what you are asking?