Conjugating verbs when using posiblemente...

Question

When I use the adverb "posiblemente," do I still have to conjugate the verb to future or present subjunctive? Or do I just use the simple present tense?

Example:

Posiblemente vaya mañana. - I may go tomorrow. Posiblemente me llame. - He might call me.

Please help!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Wow, this is a fantastic question. I found this on this website. I feel like this kind of contradicts itself. First, it says those phrases trigger the subjunctive...but then it says it is optional in these cases.

Answer 2

Posiblemente viene hoy

Posiblemente vendrá hoy

Posiblemente venga hoy

Posiblemente vino hoy

Dijo que posiblemente venía hoy

Dijo que posiblemente vendría hoy

Todas son posibles.

Answer 3

The last paragraph on this page offers more explanation:

SUBJUNCTIVE IN MAIN CLAUSES

If the subjunctive is used when there is only one verb involved, the sentence can be regarded as if it was an abbreviated version of a compound sentence, with the main clause missing. The principles in section 3 above then apply to the whole idea.

(a) Expressing a wish or desire:

    ¡Viva el presidente! = (Deseo que) viva el presidente
    ¡Que se vaya! = (Exigimos) que se vaya
    Ojalá que todo salga bien = (Espero) que todo salga bien

(b) Issuing an instruction. The imperative mood is a kind of subjunctive and uses subjunctive forms (except for the familiar affirmative -- habla, come, ven):

    Pase usted = (Le digo que) pase
    No digas eso = (Te prohíbo que) digas eso
    Hablemos de otro asunto = (Quiero que) hablemos de otro asunto

(c) Expressing possibility. The subjunctive is optional after posiblemente and words meaning "perhaps" (quizá, quizás, tal vez, but not a lo mejor):

    Posiblemente estuviera enfermo = (Era posible que) estuviera enfermo
    Quizás se haya arrepentido = (Puede ser que) se haya arrepentido

Very helpful, Pesta. Thanks! - MLucie, Jul 18, 2011

I am a beginner in spanish, Pesta. Can you put the english equivalent for the spanish phrases/sentences above? Thanks! :) - QueenT26, Jul 18, 2011