If we use the indicative after a truth, why not after "es genial que"? If something is great, then it's a truth that it is thus.
Why not indicative after "es genial que"?
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Why not indicative after "es genial que"?
Hola Barbara
Even though saying "es genial que" (it's great that) might seem to express a fact or truth to the speaker (i.e., their positive evaluation of the situation), it's actually expressing a subjective opinion or attitude towards a hypothetical or desired state of affairs, not a certain, factual state. The subjunctive mood is used to reflect this layer of subjectivity and potential non-reality. Essentially, it's about how the speaker feels about a situation or wishes it to be, rather than stating an objective fact about it.
Even though it might be a fact that "you have free time", the speaker is expressing their positive evaluation of this fact — their subjective opinion. The subjunctive "tengas" is used because the statement is about the speaker's attitude towards the situation rather than the situation itself.
I hope you find this answer useful.
Saludos
Silvia
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Find your Spanish level for FREE
Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard
Find your Spanish level