Explain adverbial clauses infinitive/subjunctive please?

Question

Hola a todos,

I'm trying to learn when to use the infinitive vs subjunctive in adverbial clauses. This is the example I'm stuck on:

Aunque los oficiales digan que el agua no está contaminada, no me atrevo a tomarla.

Why would you use the subjunctive form of decir here? I don't believe the officials when they say the water is clean, but I still know for a fact that they are saying something. There's not doubt with the fact that they're saying something, just with what specifically they are saying.

If you need me to clarify my question further, feel free to ask me! Thank you in advance for your help; this is something that is really frustrating me!

Answer 1

Aunque los oficiales digan que el agua no está contaminada, no me atrevo a tomarla.

I have seen it said even if= subjunctive and even though= indicative, but I am not convinced in English we are that pure in our distinction between even if and even though.

I like this a little better:

Even though they say it (they definitely say it)= aunque plus indicative

Whether or not they say it (I am not saying they say it, simply that they might say it---Even if they do say it)= aunque plus subjunctive.

References:

http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/SUBJADV.HTM

Aunque (although, even though, even if). The indicative is used if a fact is involved or the outcome is known; otherwise the subjunctive is used:

Lo haré aunque no le gusta. I'll do it, even though she doesn't like it. [Indicative It is a fact that she doesn't like it.]

Lo haré aunque no le guste. I'll do it, even though she may not like it. [Subjunctive]

http://download.langmaster.cz/grammar/en-gb/spanish2/grammar/les11/g02.htm

In case of an objective statement:

Aunque ir en avión es bastante seguro, no es bueno para la salud. (Although flying is quite safe, it is not healthy.)

In case of a subjective statement:

Alguien con una afección cardíaca tendrá problemas durante el vuelo, aunque sea corto. (A person with a weak heart may have problems during the flight, even if it is a short one.)

aunque + indicative = although

aunque + subjunctive = even if

Great. - Daniela2041, Oct 22, 2016

Thanks, Daniela. :) - bosquederoble, Oct 22, 2016

This really helped, thank you so much! - Nhoff7349, Oct 22, 2016

De nada. :) - bosquederoble, Oct 22, 2016