Cuando + presente de Subjuntivo to express future intentions
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William C.Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Cuando + presente de Subjuntivo to express future intentions
How would you say "When she opens her presents at Christmas she often gets perfume"?
The answer given is: "Cuando ella abre sus regalos en navidad a menudo tiene perfume." The present subjunctive for abrir (3rd person) is abra, no?
This question relates to:Spanish lesson "Cuando + the present subjunctive vs Cuando + the present indicative in Spanish"
Asked 6 years ago
SilviaKwiziq team member
Dear William, thank you for your question. This lesson talks about using "cuando" with Presente de Subjuntivo to express future intentions. However, you can also use Presente de Indicativo to talk about facts. In your example, the fact of opening presents doesn't refer to the future but as a general event instead. It means "everytime that she opens her presents in Christmas she usually gets a perfum." Therefore we can't use Presente de Subjuntivo here, because it doesn't refer to the future. I hope it makes sense! Muchas gracias, Silvia.
Nev D.Kwiziq community member
Then surely either the lesson should mention this difference, or the question shouldn't link to this lesson?
SilviaKwiziq team member
Hola Nev! This difference between the indicative and the subjunctive is already mentioned in the lesson. Thanks for your contribution! Silvia
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