Parece que, why incorrect?

Alexander V.C1Kwiziq community member

Parece que, why incorrect?

I am wondering why in the question "Which of the following expressions are followed by the subjunctive?" the option "Parece que" was marked as incorrect? There is no any information about it in the explanation. However it is followed by the subjunctive, isn't it?

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Alexander

Most of the time "parece que" is followed by the indicative, because it would have the same nuance as "Creo que..." . You can also use it with an indirect object pronoun "me parece que, le parece que..." to express somebody thinks that... 

However, there are cases where "parece que" can be followed by the subjunctive. To simplify it here in the forum I'd say when this is the case, the speaker is expressing some disbelief about what he/she is saying. I will give you a couple of examples:

With the present subjunctive:

Parece que tenga alguna enfermedad. Está tan pálido...

It looks like he may have some kind of illness. He is so pale...

I would say that using the present subjunctive here, instead of the indicative, is changing the meaning from "I think that...[I am certain that...]" to "It looks like..., He appears to..." .

With the imperfect subjunctive:

Parece que estuviera en las nubes todo el tiempo.

It is as though she was always in the clouds.

Here, with the imperfect subjunctive, we are actually expressing something that is not happening. 

Because of this flexibility with "parece que", I will delete that option from the question you came across. Although we tend to use it more with the meaning "I think that", this is not always the case, as you can see.

This deserves a specific lesson. We will publish it soon. 

I hope this helps.

Un saludo cordial

Inma

Parece que, why incorrect?

I am wondering why in the question "Which of the following expressions are followed by the subjunctive?" the option "Parece que" was marked as incorrect? There is no any information about it in the explanation. However it is followed by the subjunctive, isn't it?

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