"I can do what I want." indicative vs. subjunctive

Question

"I can do what I want."

"Puedo hacer lo que quiero/a."

I've heard this statement made in both indicative and subjunctive.

What place does the subjunctive have in such a statement?

Does this change the meaning?

If so, How?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

I'd guess that the subjunctive is more common as 'what I want' is usually a general term rather than referring to something specific you want to do.

But perhaps using the indicative would mean that you have something specific in mind or that you're referring to, that you want to do, but with the subjunctive it would be more along the lines of you have no idea of what exactly you want to do, but whatever it is you can do it

I'm not a native speaker though so probably best wait for someone who knows what they're talking about lol

Thanks. I'm guessing that you are probably spot on. I'll wait and see if anyone has anything else to add. - ciscocaja, Apr 22, 2012

kewl bananas :) - Kiwi-Girl, Apr 22, 2012

Bueno, supongo que no haya nada más que añadir. Muchas gracias por tu ayuda, Kiwi_Girl. :) - ciscocaja, Apr 23, 2012