The Present Subjunctive in Noun Clauses

The Present Subjunctive in Noun Clauses

A noun clause is a group of words (containing a verb) which is the subject or object of the verb of the main clause. In the sentence "I demand that he be here", the words "that he be here" are the noun clause, object of the main verb "demand". The subjunctive is used in a noun clause when the main verb expresses an indirect command, an emotional attitude, doubt, disbelief or denial.

A. INDIRECT COMMANDS / MANDATOS INDIRECTOS

After verbs expressing want, desire, hope, request, insistence, command, suggestion, and similar ideas, what is in the clause is like a command. The verb in such clauses must be in the subjunctive.
Sugiero que lo hagas ahora.
I suggest that you do it now. Insisto en que esté presente.
I insist that he be present.
• English frequently uses a phrase with the infinitive to express indirect commands: "I want him to do it" etc. Spanish must say instead Quiero que lo haga ("I want that he do it").
Me pide que la escuche.
She asks me to listen to her. Le rogamos que se vaya.
We beg you to go away.
• If there is no change in subject there is no need for a subjunctive clause:
Quiero ir, ella insiste en hablar, espero terminar, etc.
• If the verb in the main clause simply reports the situation described in the subordinate clause, there is no need for a subjunctive:
Les digo que está lloviendo.
I tell them that it is raining. Insisten en que no lo van a visitar.
They insist that they are not going to visit him.
• Other common verbs and expressions introducing indirect commands:
aconsejar, esperar, evitar, exigir, hacer, lograr, mandar, preferir, prohibir, recomendar.
es esencial que, es importante que, es mejor que, es necesario que, es urgente que
• Ojalá, whose form is invariable, meant originally something like "O to Allah" and it is used to express a general wish or hope. It is always followed by the present subjunctive:
Ojalá (que) vengan mañana. I hope they come tomorrow.
Ojalá no llueva. I hope it won't rain.
Ojalá may be used with or without que with no change in meaning.

B. EMOTIONAL ATTITUDE, DOUBT OR DENIAL

When the main verb expresses any subjective attitudes (sorrow, surprise, anger, indifference, concern, hope), doubt, disbelief or denial, the verb in the noun clause must be in the subjunctive.
Attitude: Me sorprende que Ud. no lo sepa. It surprises me that you do not know it.
Es triste que no haga sol. It's sad that the sun isn't shining.
Siento que no te conozcan. I am sorry (that) they don't know you.
Doubt: No es posible que sean tan tontos. It's not possible that they are so foolish.
Dudo/no creo que sea verdad. I doubt/don't believe that it is true.
Es increíble que te vayas ya. It's hard to believe you're leaving now.
Denial: No digo que sea tonto. I am not saying (that) he is stupid.
Es falso que me moleste el ruido. It is false that noise disturbs me.
No es cierto que haya marcianos. It's not true that there are Martians.

• Spanish frequently uses the present subjunctive with a future meaning. There is no longer a future subjunctive in daily use:
Dudamos que diga que no. We doubt he'll say no.
Me alegra que haya clase mañana. I'm glad there will be class tomorrow.
• Spanish may not omit the relative que as English often omits “that”.
No creo que llegue a tiempo. I don't think (that) I'll arrive on time.
In general, creer, no dudar, ser verdad, and other expressions of belief or conviction imply certainty and therefore will not require a subjunctive in the clause that follows, while no creer, dudar, no ser cierto, etc., will. In questions, the clause may not involve a subjunctive, depending on the doubt in the mind of the speaker: ¿Crees que va a llover? or ¿Crees que llueva?
• Some common verbs and expressions implying subjective attitudes:
enojar, gustar, molestar, sorprender, temer, tener miedo, interesar, importar,
lamentar, parecer raro/bonito/interesante que, ser normal/bueno/natural/curioso que
• tal vez, quizás, quizá, which all mean perhaps, are followed by the subjunctive if the speaker wants to convey a considerable degree of doubt (que is not used here):
Tal vez llegue pronto. Perhaps he will arrive soon. (probably not)
Quizás vamos al cine. Maybe we'll go to the movies. (very possible)