EL SUBJUNTIVO EN LAS CLÁUSULAS SUSTANTIVALES - NOUN CLAUSES

EL SUBJUNTIVO EN LAS CLÁUSULAS SUSTANTIVALES - NOUN CLAUSES

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Before we can use the subjunctive in the dependent clause, there must be some element in the main clause to "trigger" its usage. In Noun clauses, there are two kinds of triggers - VERBS AND IMPERSONAL EXPRESSIONS.

Here is a list of typical "trigger" verbs. You will want to learn their meaning also. It is customary to list these verbs according to the type of meaning they express or convey, for example, whether they express an order, an emotion, a preference, necessity, doubt and so on. I will therefore categorize them this way.

VERBOS

1. Verbs expressing will, desire, orders , preference or request:

decir to tell mandar to order
dejar to allow pedir to request
desear to wish preferir to prefer
exigir to require / demand querer to wish, to want
insistir en to insist

2. Verbs expressing hope, emotion or feeling:

alegrarse (de) to be glad sorprender to surprise
esperar to hope tener miedo to be afraid
gustar to like sentir to be sorry

3. Verbs expressing approval, permission, suggestion or advice:

aconsejar to advise prohibir to prohibit
permitir to permit/to allow recomendar to recommend
sugerir to suggest

Remember, the "trigger" for the subjunctive will be in the main clause and the verb that goes in the subjunctive mood will be in the subordinate clause.

ALGUNAS EXPRESIONES IMPERSONALES

Si no hay CAMBIO DE SUJETO, se usa el INFINITIVO.

Si hay CAMBIO DE SUJETO , se usa el SUBJUNTIVO.

Es agradable It is nice Es justo It is fair / just
Es bueno It is good Es lamentable It is a pity
Es curioso It is odd / unusual Es una lástima It is a pity
Es deplorable It is deplorable Es mejor It is better
*Es de esperar It is hoped Es natural It is natural
Era de esperar It was hoped Es necesario It is necessary
*Es dudoso It is doubtful Es normal It is normal
Es extraño It is strange Es posible It is possible
Es importante It is important Es preferible It is preferable
Es imposible It is impossible Es probable It is probable
Es increíble It is incredible Es sorprendente It is surprising
Es inevitable It is inevitable Es preciso It is necessary

EXPRESIONES DE VERDAD:

Afirmativos - Indicativo

Negativos - Subjuntivo

Es verdad It is true No es verdad It is not true
Es cierto It is certain No es cierto It is not certain
Es obvio It is obvious No es obvio It is not obvious
Es evidente It is evident No es evidente It is not evident
Es claro It is clear No es claro It is not clear
Es seguro It is sure No es seguro It is not sure

Verbs and expressions of certainty and belief are followed by the INDICATIVE.
Those expressing doubt or disbelief are followed by the SUBJUNCTIVE.

Belief/Certainty: Indicativo

Disbelief/Doubt: Subjuntivo