De que yo sepa, no.

Question

Hi there, recently I have heard the sentence "De que yo sepa, no" when a person is asked a question. I know it translates into "Of what I know, no". However, I am not sure why it is in the subjunctive. Any ideas on the grammatical rule for this phrase?

Thanks.

From what I know, no. - Rey_Mysterio, Feb 5, 2012

Answer 1

I understand the use of the subjunctive here, but cannot certainty be at times itself subjective? That is, what is uncertain to one person may not be to another; therefore, one person may use the subjunctive when speaking when another speaking talking about the same subject would not use the subjunctive? Just wondering.the subjunctive? Just wondering.

Of course.

Juan: Espero que estés feliz.

Julia: Sí, estoy feliz.

Answer 2

From what I would know, no.

Uncertainty is implicit. Based on what I know, the answer is no. But there may be circumstances of which I am unaware. So, this is not a certainty, so, the subjunctive mood is implied.

Answer 3

I understand the use of the subjunctive here, but cannot certainty be at times itself subjective? That is, what is uncertain to one person may not be to another; therefore, one person may use the subjunctive when speaking when another speaking talking about the same subject would not use the subjunctive? Just wondering.