Subjunctive and Speaker's Intention
One of the things that I have really started realizing is how it is next to impossible to attach rules to the subjunctive, it seems like every time that I think I have a rule down, there are another twelve exceptions that throw me off again. What I was wondering is that twice now I've read/heard that the subjunctive is all about the intention of the speaker. So, my question was: can the "rules" about which phrases set off the subjunctive be broken if the speaker wishes to indicate either doubt or uncertainty.
For example, could the subjunctive follow creer if you want to express doubt like in the sentence "¿Crees que la hagan?" if you mean "Do you think they'll do it? (I don't think they will)?
Can the indicative follow dudar if you want to express certainty, like "¿Dudas que van a Madrid?" if you mean "Do you doubt that they are going to Madrid? (I'm certain of it)
Note: The phrase in parentheses indicate the thought process of the speaker
1 Answer
For example, could the subjunctive follow creer if you want to express doubt like in the sentence "¿Crees que la hagan?" if you mean "Do you think they'll do it? (I don't think they will)?
Yes, it can be spoken this way as you are expressing your doubt while asking the opinion of someone else. If you didn´t doubt, then why would you even ask?
This is a good example why these so-called "triggers" of subjunctive can lead you astray and your questioning is well done.
Can the indicative follow dudar if you want to express certainty, like "¿Dudas que van a Madrid?" if you mean "Do you doubt that they are going to Madrid? (I'm certain of it)
With this one, I would use subjunctive because the word "dudar" is used, already expressing doubt, so to use indicative would be a contradiction of terms.
