Use of the present subjunctive tense

Question

"It is impossible that he is right"

My book says it should be "tenga razón" rather than what the translator gives me, i.e. "tiene razón" All three translators agree on the latter present tense whereas my book and course use the present subjective tense for the phrase 'that he is right' Are your translators in error of is my book and teacher off the mark?

Bob McSweeney

There is a change of subject, with a ' que' in the middle' + es imposible would, I think normally be followed by the subjunctive. - annierats, Mar 14, 2016

Go by teacher! - annierats, Mar 14, 2016

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Answer 1

The machine translators are often wrong, your book should be believed.

Essentially you are denying the statement, not declaring it. To quote one of my favorite sources:

http://spanish.about.com/od/Subjunctive/a/es-subjunctive.htm

The general rule about use of mood in Spanish would require that "Es _____ que" would be followed by a verb in the indicative mood if the initial phrase expresses certainty but in the subjunctive if it expresses doubt, uncertainty, desire, probability or an emotional reaction.

Es imposible que (It's impossible that): Es imposible que el mundo termine el 2012. It's impossible that the world will end in 2012.

another list:

http://www.studyspanish.com/lessons/subj1.htm

Answer 2

Es imposible que el TENGA razón.

It's because it's followed by "que" relative. And it turns it into a subjunctive.

But remember the subjunctive expresses doubt

e.g. Yo creo que el VIENE(present) ----> I think he's coming. NO creo que el VENGA(subjunctive)----> I don't think he's coming.

I have a real problem with this as for me. Both of your sentences express doubt. Creo que = I think (but am not sure) that. as opposed to I am certain that= Estoy seguro de quee. - gringojrf, Mar 14, 2016

Creer = Believe, which is by definiion an incertainty. - gringojrf, Mar 14, 2016

While technically you're right, in this context I believe it depends on whether you're more positive than negative or more negative than positive. I agree it's confusing, and it's hard for me to get the hang of in the real world. - Winkfish, Mar 14, 2016

In the real world I don't worry about it, only here. In the real world people understand via context and the triggers and the endings of verbs are often not clearly spoken or heard so it matters little outside of an academic setting. - gringojrf, Mar 14, 2016

But it is still frustrating. And most people in Mexico can't tell you how they just say something like "I just know". - gringojrf, Mar 14, 2016

I have less problem with creer, in which I am declaring what I believe, and more with suponer, or especially sospechar. :) - bosquederoble, Mar 14, 2016

Yes Gringo, you hit it right in practice every day the point is to be understood by your amigos! - 00cc0117, Mar 14, 2016

Nothing teaches a person faster then reality! - 00cc0117, Mar 14, 2016

Been there, done that many times! - 00cc0117, Mar 14, 2016

Cara a cara, no hay substitute! - 00cc0117, Mar 14, 2016

Tiene razón, David. No doubt about it! ;-) - Winkfish, Mar 14, 2016

When is negative you must use the subjunctive. Think about it like an opinion.(i mean that you opine that he won't come) something like that - fernand2017, Mar 15, 2016

http://www.timandangela.org.uk/spanish/30-el-subjuntivo-opinion Here's a very useful link. I used that example because you must use the infinitive with negative opinions - fernand2017, Mar 15, 2016

Answer 3

Hello, Bob McSweeney!

Here is a link to a page which lists "Subjunctive Triggers"

Subjunctive - Part 1

The subjunctive should be used after "es imposible". If this website is in error you should use Feedback (tab on right of screen) to report where on the site this error occurs. We on the forum cannot correct it. You've been here a while and even tell us your name. How about filling in those 0's after English and Spanish in your profile. Feel free to share other information on your profile.

Answer 4

I have not used a translator yet that is 100%, so listen to your teachers and use your own good sense. Good luck.

There must be something more here that is missing. - 00cc0117, Mar 14, 2016

"es imposible que tenga razón todos el tiempo" An example of part of a sentence. - 00cc0117, Mar 14, 2016