Can you describe in what general contexts these would be used?
Are they interchangeable or are meanings slightly different depending who you’re talking to? Example such as when talking to children.
Colloquial present vs subjunctive
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Tara R.Kwiziq community member
Colloquial present vs subjunctive
This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Using the Spanish present tense to order, advise or make a request "
Asked 4 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq
Hola Tara
The use of the present indicative as shown in this lesson is very colloquial and it is used with people you know very well, e.g. your own children. It could be used with other adults but in a very informal atmosphere, maybe when you ask (more telling than asking really) your husband what he has to do, or the other way round : ))
Equally you could use the imperative (present subjunctive for negative commands). This is also informal but the use of the present indicative is, I would say, an extra level of informality. It is a very direct order.
Saludos
Inma
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question
Find your Spanish level for FREE
Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard
Find your Spanish level