Subjunctive Use for Sentences with One Unique Subject

Question

¡Hola!

He oído que se utiliza el subjuntivo para expresar duda, y en frases que contienen dos subjetos distintos. ¿Por eso, utilizamos el subjuntivo en frases (que son inciertas) con dos subjetos que son la misma persona? Por ejemplo, para decir "I'm not sure that I'm right," diría "No estoy segura de que tenga razón," o "No estoy segura de que tengo razón"?

¡Gracias!

Answer 1

That rule about subject change is really confusing in my experience.

If something needs subjunctive, it needs subjunctive

In many cases where there is no subject change instead of using a conjugated verb (in subjunctive) you can (and generally it is much more natural to) replace it with an infinitive. But if you don’t, you still need subjunctive.

There are a few cases when you can go with an infinitive with a subject change:

Le permito hacerlo. I let him do it.

Le permito que lo haga. I allow that he do it.

So in my mind the rule should be, if you can’t use an infinitive without losing track of the subject of the verb, you need a subjunctive que clause, otherwise the infinitive is usually preferable. Regardless of whether there is a subject change or not.

In a few cases it may be more natural to use the subjunctive with a same subject over an infinitive, like the no creo que or no estoy seguro de que. But I would defer which those are to native speakers.

See this slide:

I would not have answered if I knew Luis was answering at the same time (ours were separated by two seconds. - bosquederoble, Jan 30, 2017

Your answer is better at explaining. I have heard and occasionally use both forms, but the textbooks only go with the infinitive in the second verb. - Daniela2041, Jan 30, 2017

Thanks, Daniela. :) - bosquederoble, Jan 30, 2017

¡Gracias por responder! ¿En este caso, debo decir "No estoy segura de tener razón"? - KRavishankar19, Jan 30, 2017

No, I think no estoy seguro de que is one where it is reasonably natural to put it in a clause, I am convinced I have an no one complained. Maybe a native could comment on whether they prefer one version over the other. ;) - bosquederoble, Jan 30, 2017

Answer 2

No estoy seguro. Probablemente las dos formas son gramaticalmente correctas.

¡Gracias por responder! - KRavishankar19, Jan 30, 2017