The Spanish indicative is what we can call the \u201cnormal\u201d mood. We use it to talk about facts \u2013 about something that has happened in the past, is happening in the present, or we know will certainly happen in the future. These are tenses such as presente<\/em>, pret\u00e9rito indefinido<\/em> or pret\u00e9rito<\/em> perfecto<\/em> \u2013 and are in the indicative mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carlos is definitely coming round this afternoon, so we use the verb viene<\/strong><\/em>, which is in the indicative mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\u00a0subjunctive, on the other hand, is the opposite of \u2018fact\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like the indicative, there are tenses in the subjunctive \u2013 such as subjunctive presente<\/em> or pret\u00e9rito imperfecto<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We use these tenses to describe \u201cvirtual information\u201d \u2013 in other words, our perception or attitude towards something, rather than the expression of a fact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Can you spot the feeling and emotion in the verb <\/strong>espero<\/strong><\/em> (I hope)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is what has triggered the present subjunctive verb \u201cvenga\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By saying \u201cI hope\u201d in this sentence, I\u2019m really saying that I\u2019d like Carlos to come round, but I don\u2019t know if he actually will or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not a factual statement. It\u2019s simply what I\u2019m wishing for<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Look at the verbs in the sentence<\/p>\n\n\n\n If\u2026There\u2019s only one verb in the sentence, it\u2019ll be indicative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like this sentence right here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check it out: it\u2019s a fact. Elena actually does<\/em> speak Spanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If…There are two verbs in the sentence, but both refer to the same person, they\u2019ll both be indicative.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In cases like these, you\u2019ll use the indicative for the first verb and the infinitive (the purest form of the verb with a \u2018to\u2019 in front of it) for the second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If…There are two verbs \u2013 the first expressing emotion \u2013 separated by \u201cque\u201d, the first is indicative and the second is subjunctive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh and one more thing: in this case, the two verbs won\u2019t refer to the same person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out this example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n See: Jaime is expressing a wish <\/strong>for Elena. A subjunctive trigger, if ever we\u2019ve seen one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at the sentence: is it talking about something that\u2019s factual, or are you expressing doubt or uncertainty?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your clue will be the first verb or expression that comes before the que<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It will determine whether you have to use the subjunctive for the second verb that comes after que<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If\u2026The first verb or expression conveys certainty, make the second verb indicative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read between the lines: using \u201cknow\u201d implies there is no doubt that Elena actually speaks Spanish \u2013 which means the subjunctive has no place in this sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If…The first verb or expression conveys uncertainty, make the second verb subjunctive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doubt and uncertainty alert! See how the first verb has triggered the subjunctive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n We use the indicative<\/strong> to talk about facts we consider to be certain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We use the subjunctive<\/strong> to describe how we feel about those facts, and to express uncertainty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Indicative The Spanish indicative is what we can call the \u201cnormal\u201d mood. We use it to talk about facts \u2013 about something that has happened in the past, is happening in the present, or we know will certainly happen in the future. These are tenses such as presente, pret\u00e9rito indefinido or pret\u00e9rito perfecto \u2013 and are in the indicative mood. Viene Carlos … <\/p>\nViene Carlos esta tarde. \nCarlos is coming over this afternoon.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Subjunctive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Espero que Carlos venga esta tarde. \nI hope Carlos comes over this afternoon.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Some Simple Rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Elena habla espa\u00f1ol.\nElena speaks Spanish<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Elena quiere hablar espa\u00f1ol.\nElena wants to speak Spanish.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Jaime quiere que Elena hable espa\u00f1ol.\nJaime wants the Elena speaks Spanish.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
2. Understand the meaning of the sentence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
S\u00e9 que Elena habla espa\u00f1ol.\nI know that Elena speaks Spanish.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Dudo que Elena hable espa\u00f1ol.\nI doubt that Elena speaks Spanish.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
To sum up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n