Subjunctive with no change of subject?

Question

I understand how the subjunctive is formed and when to use it, but I have a question as to a possible exception.
Generally, the rule is that a key word(s) or phrase triggers the use of the subjunctive, the 2 clauses will be connected by a "que" and there will be a change in subject.

For example: "Dudo que ella vaya" = I doubt that she is going Dudo que ella pueda ir = I doubt she can go

If I want to say that "I doubt that I can go", what would I say?
Is it ever grammatically correct to use the subjunctive when there is no change in subject? For example, would it be correct for me to say "Dudo que yo pueda ir"? (I doubt that I can go)

¡Gracias!

Welcome to the forum. =) - NikkiLR, Apr 4, 2012

Excellent question. Thanks. - gringojrf, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 1

Yes, it is very common to use the subjunctive in cases like this, especially in spoken Spanish. In my experience, many native speakers actually prefer this over the grammatically correct "Dudo poder ir". It reminds me of something else I notice a lot in conversation in regards to the subjunctive. Many, many native speakers tend to use the present perfect subjunctive when grammar rules dictate that the imperfect subjunctive should be used. For example, many native speakers (in my experience the majority) would say something like ¿Había allí un cliente que no haya pagado su cuenta? instead of the grammatically correct ¿Había allí un cliente que no hubiese pagado su cuenta?

Thank you for a very clear answer. - gringojrf, Apr 4, 2012

Nos tienes contadas las costillas, Pescador. =) - -cae-, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 2

ok in a shorter way about "Dudo que yo pueda ir" is ""dudo que vaya"" , another way to say the same "no creo ir". or instead of "ir" if you wanna change the verb

dudo(que yo pueda comerlo) comerlo-no creo comerlo(either are ok)- i don't guess i can eat it( maybe `cause you dont like it) ; the wors in parentheses"dudo que yo pueda comerlo" should be omitted because it needless to say

example: A:hey mira a esa chica!!- hey man look that girl A:deberías hablarle- you should talk to her B: dudo que pueda -i doubt i can (maybe because you`re shy)

good look , if you have another question let me know ok, without doubt good luck

so yes Dudo que yo pueda ir its correct, but is uncommon you could say "no creo" , because the person that is asking you is aware of the verb omitted - spanishwizard, Apr 4, 2012