Subjunctive Question with "if"

Question

I know that in a conditional phrases like, "Si yo salgo, tú saldrás" you would not use the subjunctive. However, what if the first part is a common subjunctive phrase, like "Si es posible..."? Would you change the second part to the subjunctive or keep it in the indicative?

Would you say: "Si es posible, vayas a hacerlo" o "Si es posible, vas a hacerlo"?

Because in: "Es posible que no pase." you would. But would you also use it like in the above example?

Answer 1

what I mean is if the phrase "es posible" is used to kick off the subjunctive...

Sorry, actually I can't understand neither "is used to kick off" the subjunctive, nor these sentences:

"Si es posible, vayas a hacerlo"

"Si es posible, vas a hacerlo"

What do you mean in English? They both are unclear...

sorry, in english you would say if it's possible, are you going to do it? in kick off I mean "start" - Himself12794, Jan 3, 2012

ah! Then it's a question! I'd go for the indicative: Si es posible, ¿lo vas a hacer? - cogumela, Jan 3, 2012

that's what I wanted to know! - Himself12794, Jan 3, 2012

Answer 2

Hi, himself!

If the first part took the subjunctive, you would need to use conditional tense in the second part.

Si saliera, tú saldrías.

The structure is the same as "if clauses" in English.

that's not what I mean, what I mean is if the phrase "es posible" is used to kick off the subjunctive, would it also kick off the subjunctive in an if clause? - Himself12794, Jan 3, 2012

Answer 3

Hi Cogu

To "Kick Off" means to start, and in this instance "cause the use of".

Some people do use constructions mentioned by "Himself" which are probably grammatically incorrect.

Person 1) There's a football match tonight, are you going?

Person 2) It may not be possibe for me to go.

Person 1) If it's possible are you going/will you go. (This should be "if it were possible. would you go")

Thank you, Eddy :) - cogumela, Jan 3, 2012