"Quizá conozcas a Tom."

Question

Hello everyone,

I've seen a sentence "Quizá conozcas a Tom." and wondered if the indicative "conoces" should be used instead of the subjunctive "conozcas" in this case. My understanding is that the subjunctive is only used in secondary clauses, but maybe I'm wrong..?

1. Quizá conozcas a Tom.
2. Quizá conoces a Tom.

Which sentence is correct?

Thank you in advance!

welcome to the forum, :) - 006595c6, Sep 25, 2017

... - Stephen5255, Sep 25, 2017

Answer 1

Both can be correct in the correct context. Statements of probability can use subjunctive:

My understanding is that the choice to use subjunctive depends on the amount of doubt you want to express using the statement of probability

Quizás te gusta eso. Perhaps you like that (I really think you do)

Quizás te guste eso. Perhaps you (might) like that (I really don’t know, you might, you might not)

See this link for example:

https://community.dur.ac.uk/m.p.thompson/subjunctive.htm

(c) Expressing possibility. The subjunctive is optional after posiblemente and words meaning "perhaps" (quizá, quizás, tal vez, but not a lo mejor):

Posiblemente estuviera enfermo = (Era posible que) estuviera enfermo

Quizás se haya arrepentido = (Puede ser que) se haya arrepentido

Thank you bosquederoble, this is exactly what I was looking for! Really appreciate your explanation and the link! - Illyarrie, Sep 25, 2017

No problem, the subjunctive use is much more common than indicative. :) - bosquederoble, Sep 25, 2017

Good answer Bosque. I didn't have much to add, but felt like writing a bit. :) - DilKen, Sep 25, 2017

Answer 2

I've seen a sentence "Quizá conozcas a Tom." and wondered if the indicative "conoces" should be used instead of the subjunctive "conozcas" in this case. My understanding is that the subjunctive is only used in secondary clauses, but maybe I'm wrong..?

The notion that the subjunctive is only used in secondary clauses is not that uncommon among beginners, but is not quite true. It would be correct to say, however, that the subjunctive is mostly used in secondary clauses.

There are quite a few situations where the subjunctive is used without a subordinated clause. Your example is one of them. After quizá, quizás and tal vez, all of which are often translated as "maybe" either the subjunctive or the indicative can be used.

Quizá conozcas a Tom.
Quizá conoces a Tom.
Which sentence is correct?

Both are correct, but their meanings are usually understood a bit differently, which reflect how the speaker is thinking about the situation. (his mood)

With the subjunctive the speaker is expressing significant doubt that the person he is asking knows Tom.

In English, it would be like. Maybe you know Tom, but I'm not too sure.

With the indicative it would be more like:

Maybe you know Tom...at least I think you probably do.

Thank you DilKen for the explanation! - Illyarrie, Sep 25, 2017

Answer 3

In some contexts, the sentence "quizás conozcas a Tom" may also express the probability of meeting him, like:

¿Vas a ir a la fiesta? Quizás conozcas a Tom.

Are you going to the party? You may meet Tom.

Thank you for adding that point. :) - bosquederoble, Sep 25, 2017

Thank you Guillermo_O, very helpful! I didn't think of the context but it's good to know! - Illyarrie, Sep 25, 2017

Answer 4

Hello!

This is would be correct: Quizá conoces a Tom. (Indicative verb + a) This link would explain the answer to your question. Subjunctive vs. Indicative in Spanish

This is also correct, but needs a trigger word (2 subjects, 2 verbs & a relative pronoun): Quizá conozcas a Tom. Subjunctive verb + de.

Hope this helps.

Regards!

Thank you NKM1974. I saw the link prior to posting the question yet I couldn't find the answer. - Illyarrie, Sep 25, 2017