The E in wEirdo for The Subjunctive.

Question

I really don't understand the Emotions In the subjunctive, For example, I'd searched The sentence: Estoy feliz de que me compres unas caramelos ( I'm happy because you buy me some candy), on google translate and It'd said somthing about: I'm happy That I buy me some candy, but I'd meant to say: I'm happy because you buy me some candy.) Can someone explain to me how to use the Emotions in the subjunctive.

Answer 1

Well, your profile lists you as fluent in Spanish, so I'm not sure I can give you any advice. However, I would not use the results from Google translate (or any machine translator) to discern subtle points in grammar.

My interpretation of "I'm happy because you buy me some candy" would be "Estoy feliz porque me compres caramelos."

I'm curious as to if the subjunctive is needed here. I did a search on Google, "Estoy contento porque.." and all results showed the indicative. - BradyLabuda, Jul 2, 2012

The sentence seems to fill the requirements for the subjunctive, but I'd like to hear from a native speaker. - Noetol, Jul 2, 2012

Answer 2

@ Noetol

I've been doing a bit of research on this, and from what I understand:

The subjuntive (in most cases) is not used after porque because with the addition of porque, we declare what we say. For example:

Estoy contento porque me das unas dulces cada vez que te veo.

I am happy because you give me candy every time I see you.

In that sentence, we are declaring that this is the reason for my happiness. Remember that the subjunctive cannot be used when declaring factual information

On the other hand:

Me alegro de que me hayas dado unas dulces.

I am happy that you gave me some candy.

Here we cannot- and are not- declaring anything. We are simply expressing an emp

*emotion - BradyLabuda, Jul 2, 2012

Thanks, Brady! I was just thinking in terms of porque as just a conjunction, but from your explanation, I can see this is a spevial case! - Noetol, Jul 2, 2012

I'm not sure, but I agree that it seems after "porque" it would be considered declarative; therefore, no need of subjunctive. I was going to suggest: Me alegro de que me hayas *comprado* yadayada, lol. Seems we're on the same track. ;o) - Goldie_Miel, Jul 2, 2012

Answer 3

Translators don't always work- especially when it comes to the subjunctive.

I'd have said: "Estoy contento (feliz) porque me compras unos carmelos.

Or: Me alegro de que me compres unos carmelos.

Personally I think the present perfect works better here, indicitave in my first example & subjunctive in the second.

Hopefully one of the natives will chime in! - Noetol, Jul 2, 2012