subjunctve

Question

Is there a mindset of going about subjunctive that could help me know when to use it? Like should I think of it as reality/ not reality or does it relate to the speaker's certainty of their statement? I don't need grammar rules; I have a grammar book for that. Like the grammar book has situations in which it says to use subjunctive but they are so specific that there's always a way of saying the sentences without using subjunctive. Every time I use subjunctive (in a paper or in speech) a native speaker, whether it's my teacher or friend or whoever, says I shouldn't have used subjunctive. They never correct the other way and say I should use it, so as a second question: could I avoid ever using it? If I studied abroad and never used it would anyone ever know?

Hello, welcome to the forum! - rac1, Dec 14, 2012

Answer 1

Hi Matt.

Trying to go about and avoid the Subjunctive wouldn't be wise, because quite frankly natives use it every single day without even thinking twice. If you went to a native speaker with little or no grammar backround and asked them to explain the subjuncive, they'd proabaly say "what is the subjunctive?"

My point being, it's a natural part of spoken Spanish. Going about and avoiding something so necessary is like baking a cake but leaving off the frosting- it's just not complete and it's perfectly noticeable. Sure, you can get by, by why not add that extra "zing"? Tackling your issues head on could get you a good start. Number one, why don't you ask for an explanation if they don't give you a proper one? There's never such thing as a stupid question, in fact, questions are the perfect way to learn a language. I hope I'm not sounding oblivious to your situation, believe me I was in your spot just a few months ago! It's a normal hurdle that every Spanish learner has to overcome eventually!

My general rule (actually not mine, I was taught this)- Use the subjunctive to avoid declaring something. If we are declaring factual information, then use the indicative.

Cuando llegues, apaga las luces. (When you arrive, turn off the lights)

We aren't declaring any factual information here, simply "When you get home (or whenever), do this for me. It's not a fact because it hasn't happened yet.

Cuando llegas, [siempre] apagas las luces. (When you arrive, you always turn the lights off.)

Here we ARE declaring factual information. When you get home, you always turn the lights off. That's a fact and I know it.

¡Espero que te haya ayudado!

Great answer! - rac1, Dec 14, 2012

thanks that general rule is an interesting way of going about it - DebajoLaLunaNoche, Dec 14, 2012

Answer 2

I have spent hours reading various articles, trying to figure out when to use indicative/ subjunctive, and I'm not quite there yet. So far, I find this cartoon based presentation to be the most helpful. It is called: El subjuntivo es lógico? You can find it on this page, just scroll down a bit, and it is entertaining to go through as well.

Thanks for the link. It was very informative. - GraceM, Dec 14, 2012

Answer 3

I hear your frustration. Try out these links:

Link1

Link2

Fantastic links, Thanks! - rac1, Dec 14, 2012

Answer 4

For me, I avoided the subjunctive for almost two years. I don't know how the correctors put up with me! Then, this year, all the bits and pieces, seemed to begin to fall into place.

I found this article helpful as a beginning. Especially:

So far, you have studied verb tenses in the indicative mood. The indicative mood is used to express factual information, certainty, and objectivity.

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The subjunctive mood is used to express everything except certainty and objectivity: things like doubt, uncertainty, subjectivity, etc.

Then I learned about triggers. There are certain verbs that trigger or indicate the subjunctive is coming.

This article was helpful to learn what verbs trigger the subjunctive and which ones are strictly indicative. I focused on W. E. I. R. D. O.

I also discovered the difference between the main clause and the independent clause. This understanding was helpful.

I wish I could say I understood after the first studies, but for me it took awhile for it all to begin to sink in. I know there is more to learn, I just am not there yet. I keep trying to battle the frustration and give myself time and keep plugging along. I hope something I've said is encouraging or helpful.

Answer 5

Lol, I find almost all subjunctive tips kinda useless and long. Here's how I started learning it and continue to learn.

1.To start, I memorized 5 or 6 phrases that take the subjuntive.

-Yo quiero que (yo quiero que hagas tu tarea)

-No creo que (no creo que sean feliz)

-Ojalá que (Ojalá que vengan mis amigos)

-Deseo que (deseo que estén en su casa)

I'm trying to use these phrases as much as possible.

1. Then I started trying to identify subjunctive in text and speech.

3.Then as I get more comfortable, it's just a matter of adding more of these phrases as I learn them, day by day.

4.Then there are a bunch more different types of uses which I haven't really started learning yet (and I think a bit less common), save for a few brief glances. But I'll probably use the same process.

Tim