Use of the subjunctive with aunque

Question

Hi:

I just have a question about when to use the subjunctive with 'aunque'.
Do you use it when 'aunque' means 'even if' and is the opposite true? Do you use the indicative when 'aunque' means 'although' or 'even though'?

Many thanks,

Answer 1

The subjunctive here is used exactly the way is used everywhere and all the time: when you don't intend to tell someone what you know, think, believe, imagine, guess or suspect.

If you say: "Creo que sí, aunque no estoy seguro", you want to tell someone you know that you are not certain, so you must use indicative.

If you say: "Iré aunque no me inviten", you don't intend to tell anyone that you know or think that are not invited (or not going to be invited), since you are contemplating something that may or may not happen, so you must use subjunctive.

Answer 2

"Creo que sí, aunque [no] estoy seguro"

"Iré aunque no me inviten"

And these two examples fit perfectly the pattern that I described above.

I think so, even though I'm not sure.
I'll go even if they don't invite me.

Answer 3

The subjunctive here is used exactly the way is used everywhere and all the time: when you don't intend to tell someone what you know, think, believe, imagine, guess or suspect.

If you say: "Creo que sí, aunque no estoy seguro", you want to tell someone you know that you are not certain, so you must use indicative.

If you say: "Iré aunque no me inviten", you don't intend to tell anyone that you know or think that are not invited (or not going to be invited), since you are contemplating something that may or may not happen, so you must use subjunctive.
When I was studying Latin this was called the "concessive subjunctive" (because one was conceding [for the sake of argument] some assumption). In fact, it is not much different from the condition-contrary-to-fact or any other hypothetically stipulated assumption. In that sense, Lazarus' preferred distinction (whether one is asserting/making a declaration or not), represents a useful simplification of, otherwise, disparate rules/terminology.

Answer 4

http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/show/8758/

See James Santiago's response (#4). I thought it was a very clear explanation.

By the way can you link to a specific response within a thread?
http://www.spanishdict.com/answers/show/8758/#45645
I guess that you can.
James' reply

Answer 5

Hi:

I just have a question about when to use the subjunctive with 'aunque'.

Do you use it when 'aunque' means 'even if' and is the opposite true? Do you use the indicative when 'aunque' means 'although' or 'even though'?

Many thanks,

I think it has to do with whether the event in question has happened yet. However, I am often wrong about the subjunctive, so see what native Spanish speakers say!