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Today's Subjunctive verb is "Saber" 'to know, to know how'

Today's Subjunctive verb is "Saber" 'to know, to know how'

7
votes

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1A. First concept of Subjunctive --- Direct or Indirect commands.


1B. When one person expresses his will that someone else do something.

1 I suggest that she come at once. (Sugiero que venga en seguida.) 2 They demanded that we be there on time. ( Ellos exigieron que estemos allí a tiempo.) 3 I beg you not to tell it to me. (Te ruego que no me lo digas). 4 We want you to teach us the dance. (Queremos que nos enseñes el baile.) 5 It’s important that yo do it right away. (Es importante que lo hagas en seguida.) 6 They insist that we return tomorrow (Insisten en que volvamos mañana) 7 We are going to write him to send it to them. (Vamos a escribirle que se lo mande.)


2A. Second concept of Subjunctive---Emotion


2B. Main clause expresses emotion about the action that follows.

I hope she comes. (Espero que venga.) 2 It surprises me that you (should/are) doing that.( Me sorprende que lo hagas). 3 The teacher doesn’t like that he falls asleep in class.( No le gusta al maestro que se duerma en la clase.) 4 I’m sorry that he is sick. (Siento que esté malo.) 5 They are afraid that Ray will leave today. (Temen que Ray se vaya hoy.) 6 I’m happy that she is better. (Me alegro de que esté mejor) 7 He hopes that we recognize him. (Espera que lo reconozcamos.)


3A. Third concept of Subjunctive--- Unreality


3B.. When the main clause expresses uncertainty, denial, doubt.

1 Is it possible that he eats so much? (¿Es posible que coma tanto?) 2 I don’t believe that he will anger me.. (No creo que me enfade.)

3C. Conjunctions that introduce the “subordinate clause” make the action uncertain, indefinite, doubtful

1 In case you see him, tell him that I want to talk to them. (En caso de que lo veas, dile que quiero hablarles.) 2 We won’t share it unless you pay us. (No lo compartiremos a menos que nos pague.)

3D.. Conjunction of time intoduces action that has not yet been completed

1 Before you get fat, stop eating. (Antes de que te pongas gorda, deje de comer.) 2 When the phone rings, answer it. (Cuando suene el teléfono, contéstalo.)

3E. “Subordinate clause” refers back to something non-existent, indefinite, or imagined, (In an adjectival clause (if) the antecedente is something or someone that is indefinite, negative, vague, or non-exsitent.

1 Busco un libro que tenga todas las respuestas. ( “Que”-is the relative pronoun) refers (to “un libro”-which is the antecedent) “un libro” is indefinite. Thus, “Subordinate clause” must be “subjunctive” . 2 ¿Hay alguien que entienda todo? “alguien-somewhat vague antecedent” “que- relative pronoun = “Subjunctive” in “Subordinate Clause”.

3 No hay “nadie” (indefinit,vague antecedent) que baile como ella. ¿Hay un lápiz que escriba en tres colores?

4A. Uses of Imperfect subjunctive.

4B. When the main clause is in the past and a subjunctive is required.

1 I wanted you to go. ( Quería que fueras) , 2 I told them to call me. (Les dije que me llamaren)

4C. When subjunctive subordinate clause refers to a past action

1 I can’t believe that he did it. (No creo que lo hiciera), 2 It’s a pitty that they were sick. (Es lástima que estuvieran malos). 3 I can’t believe that you killed it. (No creo que Ud. lo matara)

4D. When conjunction of time introduces action that (had) not yet been completed.

1 She told us that she would wait until we returned. )Nos dijo que esperaría hasta que volviéramos.)

2 He promise to call me as soon as he could. (Prometió llamarme así que pudiera)


5A. Review of ( si ) ( if )


5B. When (si ) introduces present tense, a subjunctive is never used. If he eats…, Spanish regards it as meaning “suppose”, or “assuming” which is the indicative. But, when (si) refers to something “contrary to fact”, then Spanish uses the imperfect subjunctive. Compare the four below----

1 Present indicative – If I have time (assuming I do), I will do. (Si tengo tiempo, iré)

2 Imperfect subjunctive – If I had time (but I don’t) I would go. (Si tuviera tiempo, iría.)

3 Present Indicative – If he is rich (assuming he is), he will buy it. (Si es rico lo comprará)

4 Imperfect subjunctive – If he were rich (but he's not), he would buy it. (Si fuera rico, lo compraría)

6A. Some “Personal” expressions 100% always imply doubt, uncertainty, or denial

Es possible que…Es imposible que…No es verdad que….,No es cierto que….Es probable que…Es improbable que…Es fácil (likely) que…Es dfícil (unlikely) que…

6B. Indirect or Impied commands…such as, but not limited to….introduce subjunctives

Es importante que…..(It’s important that….)

Insisten en que…..(They insist that……)

7A. Some “conjunctions” 100% always uncertainty, or indefinite. (In case)

En caso de que…,,(unless)-A menos que…,(provided that)- Con tal que…(Before) Antes de que…

8A. “conjunctions “50-50% may or may not… “depending on what the speaker says”

(although,even though, even if) – aunque, (granted that) Dado que...

9A “Conjunctions of time” 50-50% “depending if uncompleted, pending, unfulfilled.

(when) cuando, (after) después de que, (as soon as) así que, (until )hasta que


10A. “creer” used in subjunctive


It is the speaker’s expression of “Certainty vs Doubt” not he word itself which calls for indicative or subjunctive. The speaker is in the drivers seat.

1 ¿Cree ud. que vengan? Do you think they’ll come? (I doubt it) 2 ¿Cree ud. que vendrán? Do you think that they’ll come? (i assume they will) 3 ¿Crees que lloverá? Do you think that it will rain? ( I don’t know, but it looks that way to me) 4 ¿Çrees que llueva mañana? Do think that it will rain tomorrow? ( I don’t know…I have my doubt) 5 No creo que lo hizo. I don’t believe that he did it (I’m sure he didn’t) 6 No creo que lo hiciera. I don’t believe that he did it. (But, I’m not sure)

Some comparisions of Present-Imperfect subjunctives

1 Quiero que ud. le hable. I want you to call him 2 Quería que ud. le llamara. I wanted you to call him 3 Salgamos antes de que vuelvan. Let’s leave before they return. 4 Salimos antes de que volvieran. We left before they returned. 5 No creía que fuera ella. I didn’t believe that it was her. 6 No creo que fuera ella. I don’t believe (presently) that it was her.

If the subject doesn’t change, then we have only one clause and there is no room for subjunctive at all.

Espera venir – (He hopes to come)

Sentimos estar tan lejos – (We are sorry we’re so far away.)

No puedo creer que lo comí todo – (I can’t believe I ate the whole thing)

(This is just an overview and does not include “haber” or compound tenses.)

I give you the “verb” . You use it in a subjunctive sentence.


The verb for today is “Saber” ‘to know, to know how’



Write sentences with "Saber" in the Subjunctive mood.


Escríbamela en inglés y español...por favor. Write it for me in English and Spanish please. ¡Incluyan caudros/dibujos…cuando los prefieran! Include pictures/drawings…when you prefer them!

2627 views
updated Aug 29, 2012
posted by viejito
Viejito, muchísimas gracias por estes ejercicios. Son tan útiles. Gracias!! - iana01, Aug 29, 2012

12 Answers

2
votes

Él esperaba que ella no supiera que le amaba a ella.

He hoped she did not know he loved her.

updated Aug 29, 2012
edited by iana01
posted by iana01
I am not sure whether I should use "supiera" or "sepa". I am not sure about "amaba" or "ama" either. Thank you very much for explanation. :)) - iana01, Aug 28, 2012
worth the vote :) - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
From your English …my opinion is: that you are telling/describing something that was going on in the past. ☺…not present “ama”. - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
worth the vote :) - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
Muchísimas gracias, Viejito. :)) - iana01, Aug 29, 2012
2
votes

Que yo sepa a mi no me han contado nada...

Chisme

updated Aug 27, 2012
edited by Yeiyei
posted by Yeiyei
yeikel, a mi me gusta la frase que has escogido. Merece un voto. Y te lo doy. Pero…amigo mio…no sé como decírtelo... - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
Esta práctica está basada en el uso del presente de subjuntivo. El verbo que estamos usando ahorita es de “saber”. Si quieres participar, necesitas escoger una de las conjugaciones relacionada con “Saber” - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
Listo - Yeiyei, Aug 27, 2012
Thanks, yeikel :) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
2
votes

Espero que ella no sepa donde estoy.

I hope she doesn't know where I am.

updated Aug 27, 2012
posted by Maxwell_R
:) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
2
votes

No es cierto que la estudiante sepa la respuesta.

It's uncertain that the student knows the answer.

enter image description here

updated Aug 27, 2012
edited by LaBurra
posted by LaBurra
:) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
1
vote

No puedo cerciorarme de que ella sepa que la amo cuando algún día la regale una flor.

I can't be sure whether she will know that I love her when someday I give her a flower.

.

enter image description here

updated Aug 29, 2012
edited by Fidalgo
posted by Fidalgo
“cerciorarse (de)” is verb pronominal reflexive…”to assure myself of”. To assure something…is to make a promise, gurantee, pledge. To assure oneself is to make a sure, certain pledge, guarantee to ones self..” - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
To be assured” is to be pledged to, made a sure guarantee. I can’t assure…I can’t guarantee. - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
To be sure – is to be certain, no doubt. I can’t be sure whether she will know that I love her when someday I give her a flower. I would also use “la amo”…it’s a true love. Worth the vote, ☺ - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
Le estoy agradecido muchísimo a Viejito por sus aclaraciones muy útiles:) ¡Ojalá tenga muchas oportunidades de aprender de vos! - Fidalgo, Aug 29, 2012
1
vote

Era bueno que ella supiera llamarme.

It was good that she knew to call me.

updated Aug 29, 2012
posted by louise365
:) - viejito, Aug 28, 2012
I defer to native speakers on this one…and, a computer translator wouldn’t know the difference. However, the following is my opinion based on many years…which doesn’t mean that I’m always right. ☺ so,… - viejito, Aug 29, 2012
Saying that something is, was, or isn’t a good thing isn’t a concret expression of emotion…and, I don’t see any subjunctive moods. “Era bueno que ella sabía llamarme”…is the same as…Es bueno que ella sabe llamarme. ☺ worth the vote, Thanks. - viejito, Aug 29, 2012
1
vote

Me gustaría que todos supierais lo que queréis hacer.

I would like it if you all knew what you all want to do.

updated Aug 29, 2012
edited by joshhh317
posted by joshhh317
1
vote

No está seguros de que ella sepa la dirección.

He is not sure that she knows the address.

2nd attempt:

No está convencido de que ella sepa la dirección.

He is not convinced that she knows the address.

enter image description here

updated Aug 29, 2012
edited by bandit51jd
posted by bandit51jd
No creo que sepa la razón por la que has utilizado "seguros" en esta frase - Fidalgo, Aug 27, 2012
need to change "seguros" to a more singular sure type. Worth the vote :) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
¿Está esto mejor a mis amigos? - bandit51jd, Aug 28, 2012
gracias , bandit :) - viejito, Aug 29, 2012
1
vote

No estoy seguro de que sepas que Australia es el 2º país más grande de Asia-Pacífico después de China.

I'm not sure whether you know that Australia is 2nd biggest country in Asia-Pacific after China.

enter image description here

enter image description here

updated Aug 28, 2012
posted by Fidalgo
Wow, I didn't know that. :) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
:-) - Fidalgo, Aug 28, 2012
1
vote

Si supiera su marido que Helena estaba locamente enamorada de su hermano no sabemos que hubiera hecho en sus desvelas de amor.

If Helena's husband were to have known that she was madly in love with his brother, there is no saying what he might have done in his love-sickness.

updated Aug 28, 2012
edited by annierats
posted by annierats
An ambitious try, viejo. - annierats, Aug 27, 2012
Very unusual.Parts can not be literally translated as they are expressed in English. So, I might have said… - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
Si el marido de Elena hubiera sabido que ella estaba locamente enamorada con el hermano de él, uno no puede decir lo que él hubiera hecho durante la enfermedad de su amor. - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
I'm sure that there may be better translations...worth the vote :) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
Your version is better, I was trying to make saber into the subjunctive...Fail! - annierats, Aug 28, 2012
1
vote

Quiero que sepas que te extraño.

I want you to know that I miss you.

enter image description here

updated Aug 27, 2012
posted by GraceM
precious moments, :) - viejito, Aug 27, 2012
0
votes

Deseaba que la gente supiera que estabamos en serio.

We wanted people to know that we were serious.

enter image description here

updated Aug 29, 2012
posted by Kiwi-Girl