Aunque + subjunctive in the sense "Even though ..."

David M.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Aunque + subjunctive in the sense "Even though ..."


As Inma says, sometimes it is quite difficult to draw a 'sharp line' between occasions when we should, and when we should not use the subjunctive.

My grammar book [by Butt & Benjamin] offers a simple and interesting guideline to help decide which would be best in the context of "aunque, referring to present [and also past] events". As is to be expected, expressing something in the subjunctive "strengthens the concession".  Thus, they suggest that if you can translate it as "even though ...", then the subjunctive will be more appropriate:

"Even though you don't like films, you will like this one" >

"Aunque no te gusten las películas, ésta te va a gustar".

The Butt & Benjamin "rule" is of course quite consistent here with the concept of "shared information which is known both by the speaker and by the listener".


Butt & Benjamin cite another example [quoting a Peruvian Scholar]:  

"I'll never blame Octavia, even though I may have tried to sometimes" >

"Jamás culparé a Octavia, aunque lo haya intentado alguna vez".


Asked 2 years ago

Aunque + subjunctive in the sense "Even though ..."


As Inma says, sometimes it is quite difficult to draw a 'sharp line' between occasions when we should, and when we should not use the subjunctive.

My grammar book [by Butt & Benjamin] offers a simple and interesting guideline to help decide which would be best in the context of "aunque, referring to present [and also past] events". As is to be expected, expressing something in the subjunctive "strengthens the concession".  Thus, they suggest that if you can translate it as "even though ...", then the subjunctive will be more appropriate:

"Even though you don't like films, you will like this one" >

"Aunque no te gusten las películas, ésta te va a gustar".

The Butt & Benjamin "rule" is of course quite consistent here with the concept of "shared information which is known both by the speaker and by the listener".


Butt & Benjamin cite another example [quoting a Peruvian Scholar]:  

"I'll never blame Octavia, even though I may have tried to sometimes" >

"Jamás culparé a Octavia, aunque lo haya intentado alguna vez".


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