Every week in our blog we explain about Spanish words or verbs. Today, for example, we have decided to dedicate the post to how to declare or question information. Let’s go there!
To declare or question information in Spanish we use the following structure:
Verb 1 (subject 1) + that + verb 2 (subject 2)
Depending on the verb 1 the verb 2 can be in indicative or subjunctive mode. Thus, that depends on the security of the speaker in the information expressed. Let’s see it in examples.
We use the subordinate verb in indicative when we want to expose that this verb expresses:
Es cierto que Juan vive en Valencia = It is true that Juan lives in Valencia
Sabemos que Ana trabaja en un hotel = We know that Ana works in a hotel
We use the subordinate verb in subjunctive when we deny or doubt the information that that verb expresses:
No creo que te vea mañana = I do not think I’ll see you tomorrow
Puede ser que María hable español = It may be that Maria speaks Spanish
Therefore, the use of subjunctive or indicative depends on the speaker. Thus, there are several nuances that change the form of the verb: affirmation, supposition, possibility or negation. Let’s see it with the examples.
When the speaker is affirming we use the indicative mode:
No hay duda de que la Tierra es redonda = There is no doubt that the Earth is round
Está claro que a Pablo le gusta bailar = It is clear that Pablo likes to dance
When the speaker is assuming we use the indicative mode:
Supongo que Julio vendrá para cenar hoy = I guess Julio will come to dinner today
Mi madre cree que el vino tinto es mejore que el blanco = My mother believes that red wine is better than white
When the speaker considers only the possibility, we use the subjunctive mode:
Dudo que sepas donde están las llaves = I doubt you know where the keys are
Puede ser que vea Netflix esta tarde = It may be that I see Netflix this afternoon
When the speaker is rejecting some information, we use the subjunctive mode:
Es mentira que Madrid esté en Italia = It’s a lie that Madrid is in Italy
Juana no cree que su hijo le mienta = Juana does not believe that her son lies to her
We hope our post will be useful for you. If you want to practice the use of indicative and subjunctive are the learned verbs, we recommend you to do exercises online in this web page.
Also, at our Spanish school in Valencia we help you learn Spanish in a different way. Our goal is not only to teach you to study Spanish but also to know the diversity of Spanish culture.
Meanwhile, until the next blog!
