Indicativo vs subjuntivo

Question

Leí esta mañana en La Opinión de Los Angeles, California un artículo sobre un inmigrante que se quejó de las condiciones laborales: "... ahora podrá quedarse legalmente en el país mientras prosigue con su denuncia laboral por robo de salario...".

A mi parecer, la forma verbal de proseguir debe ser subjuntiva porque es una acción que todavía no se cumple. ¿Acierto?

http://www.laopinion.com/inmigracion/otrogan-visaa_trabajador-por-robo-queja-de-salario

Answer 1

The sentence is said with the purpose of declaring a fact; that this person 'will be able to' do something (in this case 'complain'). But it's not the complaining that's the important thing here it's the fact that something is possible/allowable etc so the future indicative is used.

The phrase isn't actually referring to the act of him complaining because, as you say, with that being a future or anticipated event it would be expressed with the subjunctive.

Eg When he complains the court will listen

Cuando se queje ....

Thsank you, good explanation. - annierats, Dec 17, 2013

Gracias Chica :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 17, 2013

What is possible, so the future indicative is used? - chileno, Dec 17, 2013

"... ahora podrá quedarse legalmente en el país mientras prosigue con su denuncia laboral por robo de salario...". - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Dec 18, 2013

Answer 2

Please, translate that into English.... and your proposed version.

You might get an insight as how the subjunctive is still alive in English but mostly unnoticed.

Edit: If anything, it will make you understand Spanish better, by understanding what it means in English. Don't you think so?

Answer 3

Maybe, as he is already complaining, it's safe to assume he will continue doing so in the future?