Future Subjunctive in "If you decide to continue studying, the first weeks will be difficult."

Question

I'm always confused on how to use the subjunctive if I'm speaking in future. For example: If you decide to continue studying, the first weeks will be difficult.

I was thinking either: 1. Si decide continuar estudiando, las primeras semanas serán dificil. 2. Si decide continuar estudiando, las primeras semanas sean dificil. 3. Si decide continuar estudiando, las primeras semanas serían dificil.

How do I know??? Thanks in advance.

If it's probable use the indicative if it's unreal then use the subjunctive, often the sentence will be correct using either depending on how you feel about it - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 19, 2011

Answer 1

Or you could say:

Si decidiera continuar .... serían difíciles (scrabbling to get out of the dunce corner because of missing the plural adjective here oooopsie, thanx Heidi)

If you have decide in the imperfect subjunctive it means = if you 'were' to decide to continue to study ... the first weeks would be difficult

an 'if' clause with the imp subjunctive talking about a present or future event followed by a clause in the conditional tense is common

One thing it's good to remember is that you should never follow if by the subjunctive in the present tense.

Answer 2

1. Si decide continuar estudiando, las primeras semanas serán difíciles.

Does it not matter that they may not be difficult? It is subjective - lilrokstah, Oct 19, 2011

It all depends on the speakers intent. If he is saying they will most likely be difficult, then the indicative is used. - 0074b507, Oct 20, 2011

The subjunctive/indicative usually is in the if clause and tells us if the condition is real or unreal. The indicative used to say that you probably will decide to study and what will occur. The subjunctive (if you were to) casts doubt on your deciding - 0074b507, Oct 20, 2011

to contue. contrary-to-fact or unreal situation and the hypothetical outcome.. - 0074b507, Oct 20, 2011

thank you ;) - lilrokstah, Oct 20, 2011

Answer 3

Future subjunctive is seldom used...your sentence in this mood would be:

Si decidiere seguir estudiando, las primeras semanas serán difíciles.

Quentin and kiwi, dunce corner for not correcting the adjective

Your sentence is not used in subjunctive at all:

Si decide....las primeras semanas serán, pueden ser, podrían ser, difíciles.

The most common: serán.

Answer 4

Some other suggestions from this article:

There are frequent tip-offs in English sentences that the conditional/past subjunctive combination is required in the corresponding Spanish sentence. (Compare with the examples above):

Use of the past tense (“spoke”) in the “if” clause to indicate a present/future situation. (“If you spoke [right now]...”).

Use of the word “would” in the main clause to indicate conjecture for present/future time. (“...they would believe you [now or in the future]”).

Use of “would have” to in either clause to indicate conjecture/hypothesis in past time. (“...they would have believed you”).

So No 3 is incorrect.

Si decidiera.....serían....

Answer 5

You may find this reference work helpful

The subjunctive