Transcript When NOT to use the Subjunctive

Subjunctive Review

The subjunctive mood is used in complex sentences
to express hypothetical situations (things that may or
may not be real or factual) or situations toward which
the speaker is expressing feelings or attitude.
SUBJUNCTIVE IN NOUN CLAUSES
The independent clause (or main clause)
stands alone and expresses a complete idea.
 The dependent clause (or subordinate
clause) cannot stand alone and depends on
the main clause to complete its message
Ejemplos

Recomiendo que sigas una dieta saludable.
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Subject = yo
Subject = tú
Verb expressing
desire in the
indicative mood
Verb in the
subjunctive mood
(I recommend that you follow a balanced diet.)

No es bueno que esta comida tenga mucha grasa.
Independent clause
Subject = (it)
impersonal
Impersonal
expression indicating
opinion in the
indicative mood
Dependent clause
Subject = la comida
Verb in the
subjunctive mood
(It is not good that the food has a lot of grease.)

Espero que no tengamos tarea el fin de semana.
Independent clause
Dependent clause
Subject = yo
Subject = nosotros
Verb expressing wish
in the indicative
mood
Verb in the subjunctive
mood
(I hope that we don’t have homework on the weekend.)
 If
the verb or expression in the
independent (main) clause does not
express wish, preference,
recommendation, opinion, etc.
THEN
 The
verb in the dependent clause
must also use the indicative mood.

Yo sé que tenemos que hacer ejercicios.
Independent clause
Verb that expresses
certainty (fact) in the
indicative mood
Dependent clause
Verb in the indicative mood
(I know that we have to exercise.)
 Es obvio que ella sigue una dieta saludable
Independent clause
Impersonal
expression of
certainty in the
indicative mood
Dependent clause
Verb in the
indicative mood
(It is obvious that she follows a healthy diet.)
The subjunctive doesn’t like my
C.A.T.!
 Certainty
/ Knowledge
 Affirmation
 Truth

Some other verbs and expressions that
normally take the indicative in
subordinate clauses (the sentence after
the que) include:

Certainty / Knowlege: Estar seguro, Es cierto
(to be certain / sure); saber (to know).
Affirmation: creer (to believe for a FACT),
pensar (to think for a FACT). declarar (to
declare).
Truth: Es verdad (to be the truth)



Sé que Elena habla español.
I
know that Elena speaks Spanish.
 Knowlege: Indicative

Es verdad que yo lo hice.
 It's
true that I did it.
 Truth: Indicative

Creo que están en casa.
I
think they're at home.
 Affirmation or belief (for a fact): Indicative
Cuidado
A expression of certainty takes the
subjunctive when in the negative (because
now you introduced doubt)
-Creo que Alma habla español
-No creo que Alma hable español
_Pienso que Alma habla español
-No pienso que Alma hable español
When NOT to use the Subjunctive
We DO NOT use subjunctive to express facts, beliefs,
truth, certainties or the obvious.
 Creo que... I believe/think (FOR A FACT) that...
 Creo que tengo buenas notas
 No hay duda que... There is no doubt that...
 No hay duda que hablo español
 Es obvio/ cierto/ verdad/ un hecho que....It's obvious,
certain, true, a fact that...
 Es cierto que tengo 16 años.
 Yo sé que...(tú sabes que...)I know (FOR A FACT) or You
know (FOR A FACT) that..
 Yo sé que soy muy buena amiga.
When NOT to use the Subjunctive
We also do not use the subjunctive when
discussing people or things we know exist:
 Hay
una secretaria que habla español.
 There
 Busco
I'm
is a secretary who can speak Spanish.
al hombre que tiene la llave.
looking for the guy who has the key.
[I know there is such a guy-he exists.]