Ayudame con gramatica y subjuntivo
En la canción, Shakira critica esta forma de vivir, porque no podemos ser felices si no seamos libres.
Cuando escribo "si no seamos libres", debe estar en el subjuntivo o en el indicativo.
Gracias!!!
3 Answers
I remember seeing a similar response from Marianne and I think Qfreed that you do not need to use the subjunctive following the word if in Spanish so my initial reaction was to be somewhat surprised to see it being used here. It is not my place to question a native speaker so she must have some reason to use it
"si no seamos libres",
I understand that generally speaking the subjunctive follows the word Cuando if it is referring to an anticipated action, but not the word Si
However, in this case the meaning is addressing an anticipated event hypothetical situation rather than making a statement of fact
The general rule I understand is that whenever you make a statement of fact you use the indicative but when you speak of situations that are hypothetical you use the subjunctive
''.......porque no podemos ser felices si no seamos libres.''
So here she is saying ''because, we cannot be happy ''IF'' we are not free....'' the first part is dependent on the second part.
In the first part she is making a statement so the indicative is used and in the second part/clause she is talking of an anticipated event that has not yet happened. There is a degree of uncertainty about whether the second part: obtaining our freedom will happen because the word if suggests the possibility that it might not happen.
I could be wrong about this so please wait for confirmation 
I hope this helps
Feliz: I have no understanding of the grammar but:
Unless we're free, we cannot be happy!
is, surely a better take, the the freedom has to come first .
uh? What's the Shakira's song?
