Subjunctive in Questions

Question

There is another thread today that got me started down this path. Especially a reference provided by Bosquederoble.

It seems to me that every question, by the very nature of being a question, expresses doubt or some other subjunctive trigger.

So my question is should all dependent clauses in questions always be in the subjunctive?

Can I help you with that? Only one clause so no subjunctive.

Do you want me to help you with that? Two clauses so subjunctive? Yes or no?

Can someone provide examples of two clause questions that are not subjunctive in the dependent clause?

If they are not both non subjunctive I give up :) - ian-hill, Aug 18, 2014

Great post gringo. I'm following. I hope to learn something...I'm very confused with subjunctives. - 007c5fc1, Aug 18, 2014

¿Puedo ayudarte con eso? ¿Quieres que te ayude con eso? since I didn't directly address your examples. - bosquederoble, Aug 18, 2014

This is a great learning thread...I know it is for me. :) - rac1, Aug 18, 2014

Answer 1

I was in no way trying to imply that it needed subjunctive because it was a question, instead what I was trying to say, that something that needs subjunctive as a statement, retains that need as a question.

Querer que as statement is followed by subjunctive- although querer in that phrase is in indicative.

The same is in a question:

Quiero que me digas algo. I want you to tell me something

¿Quieres que te diga algo? Do you want me to tell you something?

Quiero- quieres= indicative

Diga, digas= subjunctive.

See this great answer by Kiwi:

http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/259537/subjuntivo-en-las-preguntas

I understand. But my question is do all two clause questions need the subjunctive because the very nature of a question expresses doubt, desire, etc. - gringojrf, Aug 18, 2014

¿Fuiste a la tienda que vende ropa ayer? ¿Hay una tiende que venda ropa en esta ciudad? Vender in the first is indicative, in the second needs subjunctive. - bosquederoble, Aug 18, 2014

In the first, the existence of the store is not in question, I am just asking if you went there- in the second we have not established that such a place exists. - bosquederoble, Aug 18, 2014

Thanks. That makes sense. - gringojrf, Aug 18, 2014

This was a good mini-lesson for me. Thanks! - Jubilado, Aug 18, 2014

Answer 2

A similar question was asked here perhaps the answer will help?

That is the link I posted initially at the bottom of my answer. :) - bosquederoble, Aug 18, 2014

Oh upsie sorry Bosque, that's what happens when I rush in with only 1 min to spare lol my apologies - Kiwi-Girl, Aug 19, 2014

Oh, no problem, I always read things too fast myself, often to my own detriment. :D - bosquederoble, Aug 19, 2014