Subjunctive With Gerunds

Question

For the Word of the Day - "La sesión", the following example is given:

"Después de 10 sesiones con la psicóloga todavía no siento que estoy superando mis problemas emocionales".

I think this is a typical example where the subjunctive should be used after an expression of doubt or denial so we should have here "esté superando". Can anybody explain why not? Gracias de antemano.

Good question. - annierats, Aug 6, 2013

Answer 1

I think that without a doubt if the sentence had said: "I do not feel that you are overcoming your emotional problems" the subjunctive estés would be used. Here we have the verb sentir but the subject in the subordinate clause is the same "I"; therefore, it may be that the indicative is correct here. I am just playing a hunch and could not figure it out for sure by reviewing the grammar section on the site.

Let's see what else is posted about this good question.

You are right!. The section on Subjunctive vs. Indicative on this site says that subjunctive requires 2 different subjects. - rhrisch, Aug 6, 2013

I agree with this. The reason that the indicative can be used is that the subject remains the same. You could replace no siento with no creo... If you were expressing doubt about someone else's state of mind then you would use the subjunctive. - 2bpwhite, Aug 6, 2013

Answer 2

If it was ' después de que'' it would be in the subjunctive, I think. But just depués de?? If we feel the sessions are not finished, I think it should be in the subjunctive, but maybe they have finished? A very interesting question.

Answer 3

I think it is because it is a personal opinion. The opinion may be wrong but it is still your opinion.

I could be wrong so wait for a native speaker.

Answer 4

Final word:

I ran this example by my Bolivian friend and organizer of our weekly conversational Spanish session at the library. She said that you can use either estoy or esté in practice and did not know what the different nuances would be.

So you may be right, but you can't be wrong (emotional problems notwithstanding)!