hay or haya?

Question

Should I use hay or haya?

No estoy seguro si haya un problema.

I used HAYA because I'm expressing doubt.

Thanks in advance!

Hi we need your language levels mate please , they are very important to enable us to help you , please fill out your profile . - ray76, Jul 19, 2016

Answer 1

You have completed some of your profile but not your language level. Profiles are not compulsory but it is helpful to know someone's general level of English and Spanish when deciding how to frame an answer or assessing an answer. I also think I is helpful to add the country where you are located. For example I am from the UK and am more used to Spanish from Spain and British English.

Do you have a teacher or are you self studying?

In many cases the subjunctive can subtly change a sentence. You have probably seen examples of the difference between looking for a hypothetical person or item and one that you believe exists.

Usually doubt triggers the subjunctive but I have been taught in your sentence with the use of 'si' it is followed by present indicative. If you use seguro de que you would use subjunctive.

I am not a native speaker so look forward to any other answers you get.

Answer 2

Hello Andy,

Welcome to the Spanish Dict forum

I believe that Mardle is right ...the indicative would be used in this case following the word si

No estoy seguro si hay un problema. (o simply, No estoy seguro si hay problema)

The use of the subjunctive haya would sound strange to my ears in this sentence!

Certain verbs trigger the use of the subjunctive, principally verbs of emotion such as querer, (to want /to love) esperar (to wait, hope, expect ) etc. ....and also verbs of perception such as sentir (to feel) and percebir (to perceive/discern)

Additionally, verbs indicating doubt in the mind of the speaker eg dudar, also require the subjunctive.

Creer does not require the subjunctive in the positive /affirmative but does require it in the negative form:

No creo que .etc..

In all these cases the relative pronoun 'que' is used!

You would use the subjunctive in the following sentences:

Sì tuviera más dinero viajaría por todo el mundo

= If I had more money, I would travel around the world.

Te habría dicho la verdad si me hubieras preguntado.

= I would have told you the truth if you had asked me.

Dudo que (ella) venga, hoy.

= I doubt that she will come today.

No creo que él tenga razón.

= I don't think that he is right.

I am also an intermediate student

I hope this helps

Corrijan mi español si es necesario, por favor

I still don't get it. Why do you use the indicative form here even though the sentence expresses an uncertainty? Is it because there isn't really a subjunctive form of 'hay'? - cyreilv7, Jul 21, 2016