Aunque with the Subjunctive
So a book, I think it's "Rápido, Rápido!" (as if Spanish learning wasn't tough enough without that kind of pressure) we have the sentence
Aunque algunos no lo acepten, todos necesitamos que se construya ese parking.
Teacher told us that the subjunctive is used here because I do not agree with the speaker.
This seems very similar to something I found from Mariana on the forums here:
Indicative: Llegaré aunque mi carro no funciona. (I will arrive even though my car isn't running.)
Subjunctive: Llegaré aunque mi carro no funcione. (I will arrive even if my car isn't running.)
But I don't know if my car will be running a lot in that second sentence, where as I know those people don't agree with me. So for me saying aunque + subjunctive = even if and aunque + indicative = even though doesn't really cut it it. Unless I tell myself that in Spanish sometimes you say "even if" when you mean "even though" ha ha! I'm back where I started.
So I also found this on word reference:
This can be tricky for angloparlantes because aunque can be used with indicative or subjunctive. It depends on what you want to express.
consider:
a. Aunque es viejo es fuerte. b. Aunque sea viejo es fuerte.
Both are correct. Sentence A means that you concede the fact that he is old; in B you're saying that he may be old but that you do not attest to the fact or concede it. In your sentence, you're saying that although the system may function well (not attesting to it), it still produces certain reactions.
Which helps a lot and is exactly what I'm looking for but doesn't really go into any detail. It does help a lot though... It's like I don't want to attest to the fact that it's not acceptable so I used the subjunctive.. maybe...
More Explinations I have found online:
Other adverbial conjunctions:
Aunque (although, even though, even if). The indicative is used if a fact is involved or the outcome is known; otherwise the subjunctive is used:
Lo haré aunque no le gusta. I'll do it, even though she doesn't like it. [Indicative It is a fact that she doesn't like it.] Lo haré aunque no le guste. I'll do it, even though she may not like it. [Subjunctive]
So I posted in the subjunctive game thread "Although some people don't accept it, everyone needs someone to love"
And Kiwi rightly wrote:
Aunque algunas personas no lo aceptan, todo el mundo necesita a alguien para amar.
But if I am not in agreement with those people, shouldn't I use the subjunctive? Why is this right? What's the difference? Can I get more examples of Aunque being used in the same way as the first sentence? Are there other phrases/words like "aunque" that work in the same way? Does it work with any verb or just verbs like accept or deny etc.? What if it was in the past, i.e. Although some people didn't accept it... "Aunque algunas personas no lo aceptaran..."?
Thoughts?
1 Answer
I don't see the problem so I must be missing something. The subjunctive mood reflects the speaker's view of reality; not what true actuality is.
If you wish to say
Although some may not agree with it (and wish to express uncertainty or denial with that part of it, then use the subjunctive) It's unlikely that everyone will agree with it, it's doubtful that everyone will agree with it.
If you wish to say: Although some will not agree with it (meaning I know/or it is highly probable that some will not agree with it*) then use the indicative.
In other words:
Although some people may or won't...subjunctive (doubt or denial)
Although some people will...indicative
Use whichever mood expresses the amount of certainty that you wish to attribute to the phrase.
But if I am not in agreement with those people, shouldn't I use the subjunctive?
Are you saying that you are not in agreement with those that disagree? That is apparent from the 2nd part of the sentence where you declare what is needed (you are not saying what may be or won't be needed in the declaration, you are giving your opinion as to what you think is needed especially when you use "we" need)
Todos necesitamos...interestesting subject/verb conjugation. I assume todos means Todos de nosotros in that context.
