Indicative vs subjunctive: comparing meanings The subjunctive is one of the most fun things to me about Spanish. I'm interested what I can do with it, and how it can work for me!
Is it right to assume that the meaning of pretty much the same conditional sentence in English can be switched from 'likely' to 'unlikely' in Spanish simply by applying the subjunctive? For instance......
LIKELY?: Si nos tomamos unas vacaciones, podríamos ir a España = If we took some holiday, we could go to Spain
UNLIKELY?: Si nos tomáramos unas vacaciones, podríamos ir a España = If we took some holiday, we could go to Spain (but that's just wishful thinking!)
I mean, am I right that the second sentence in Spanish would suggest that actually getting some time off from work is highly unlikely?
...... es un poco dificil pero, si supiéramos utilizar el subjuntivo, podríamos expresarnos mucho mejor en español! ¿Verdad?
Saludos
Hola Inma,
Why do you use the infinitive endurecer insted of the sunjuctive? I thought both se empezara a and endurecer are attached to the Sería bueno que.
Muchas gracias!
Ελισάβετ
"Acordaos que estamos fríendo esta tortilla a fuego lento."
Shouldn't it be "de que"?
this is a helpful lesson with good examples.
but I’m confused. the lesson says: The verb is conjugated in the 3rd person singular or plural, according to the subject in the sentence.
aren’t the singular or plural things the objects of the sentences?
I get this message a lot :
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The subjunctive is one of the most fun things to me about Spanish. I'm interested what I can do with it, and how it can work for me!
Is it right to assume that the meaning of pretty much the same conditional sentence in English can be switched from 'likely' to 'unlikely' in Spanish simply by applying the subjunctive? For instance......
LIKELY?: Si nos tomamos unas vacaciones, podríamos ir a España = If we took some holiday, we could go to Spain
UNLIKELY?: Si nos tomáramos unas vacaciones, podríamos ir a España = If we took some holiday, we could go to Spain (but that's just wishful thinking!)
I mean, am I right that the second sentence in Spanish would suggest that actually getting some time off from work is highly unlikely?
...... es un poco dificil pero, si supiéramos utilizar el subjuntivo, podríamos expresarnos mucho mejor en español! ¿Verdad?
Saludos
Hola Inma,
"se originó en la región de Río de la Plata"
My answer was:
fue originado en la región de Río de la Plata.
No entiendo la diferencia. ¿Me podrías explicar?
Saludos
Ελισάβετ
My confusion is that when I read 'le habían gustado' I think this was in the past, whereas she still very much likes dolphins and hence is going to have her dream fulfilled tomorrow'. Thanks
Surely both versions are about "how" the speaker feels:
Cada vez que veo esa película siento escalofríos. - Every time I see that movie it gives me the shivers. (lit: I feel the shivers)
versus: Rafael se siente mareado. ¡Trae un vaso de agua! - -Rafael is feeling dizzy. Bring a glass of water!
There must be a better way to determine which version to use, no?
Or is it that with sentir it's when an external force is affecting the speaker and with sentirse it's a matter of personal, internal sensation/emotion. It seems to be a very fine line of definition . . .
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