no es raro que + modo

Question

Hey guys,

I have a quick question. Do you use the subjunctive or the indicative after the phrase No es raro que?

My teacher said it is indicative, but most native speakers seem to use the subjunctive.

Thanks

Good question! :) - NikkiLR, Mar 30, 2012

Did you ask your teacher why it would be indicative? (If so, what'd they say?) By the way, I think your teacher just made a mistake. - Goldie_Miel, Mar 30, 2012

I just noticed the question when I was looking over my quiz. Ill let you know what he says after class tomorrow. - kramer12, Mar 30, 2012

Ok. - Goldie_Miel, Mar 30, 2012

Answer 1

Hi kramer12,

No es raro/No es extraño both take the subjunctive, in my opinion. Even in the positive form Es raro/Es extraño they would take the subjunctive. Examples:

No es raro que **llegue** tarde. Es muy impuntual.

Es extraño que Luisa no me **haya** llamado. Siempre lo hace.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I agree with Francobollo, your teacher is wrong. You need the subjunctive:

"Está muy nublado, así que no es raro que llueva esta tarde"

"Has trabajado mucho. No es raro que estés tan cansado"

"Tenía prisa, así que no es raro que ya haya salido"

"Salió hace mucho. No sería raro que ya hubiera llegado"

What about the imperfect subjunctive? I just talked to the teacher, and the book had a mistake with this question. he said the answer was the imperfect subjunctive. - kramer12, Mar 30, 2012

También puedes usar el imperfecto: "Es muy impuntual. No es/sería raro que llegara tarde". - Cordobesa, Mar 30, 2012

gracias! - kramer12, Mar 30, 2012