Why subjunctive

Vanaja v.A1Kwiziq community member

Why subjunctive


A ella le molestaba que nosotras ________ con su novio.It bothered her that we had spoken to her boyfriend.HINT: Conjugate "hablar" in El Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de SubjuntivoHi all, In the above phrase... There is nothing hypothetical. It's a fact that the girl was upset that some people spoke to her boyfriend.. It should be indicative in my opinion... Pls help

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Vanaja

Exactly as John is saying at the beginning of his comment, with verbs that express emotion/feeling (with two different subjects) we use the subjunctive. Here is a lesson that explains this with detail. 

Using the subjunctive with verbs that express wish and feeling

I hope it helps,

Saludos

Inma

John O.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Vanaja,

I think the subjunctive is used here because it describes an emotional reaction i.e. "she is bothered." 

The subjunctive arises when there are "Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubts or Denials, and when using the word "Ojala!." The first letters form an acronym "Weirdo." I think there are good examples of all of these in some of the Lawless lessons but a bit of googling will help a lot especially because the more examples you see, the more natural it will all become. At least that is what I have found.

There are a few pointers to look out for when the subjunctive is required, especially if you are not sure. The sentence usually has two subjects in this case [a ella and nosotras]. The two phrases involved are invariably linked by a "que," and there are two verbs, in this case [molestar and hablar]. 

I'm sure the teachers can improve on this explanation.

Saludos. John

Clara M.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Great explanation re. the subjunctive from John! :)

Vanaja v. asked:

Why subjunctive


A ella le molestaba que nosotras ________ con su novio.It bothered her that we had spoken to her boyfriend.HINT: Conjugate "hablar" in El Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de SubjuntivoHi all, In the above phrase... There is nothing hypothetical. It's a fact that the girl was upset that some people spoke to her boyfriend.. It should be indicative in my opinion... Pls help

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