Subjunctive or Indicative? A Simple Technique to Know Which to Use in Spanish

[@QrooSpanish]

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[@yvngcashtro]

I have a video idea for you based off of my own curiosity. In your series about the subjunctive you teach a lot about subjunctive triggers, but recently while talking to a native Spanish speaker she wrote to me “quisiera decirte tantas cosas cuando estoy contigo pero se que no me entiendes” im curious about why she started the sentence with querer conjugated in the imperfect subjunctive and when is it appropriate to do so ?

[@mfc4655]

I'd love a video about the verb ponerse. I feel like it can be used in many instances.

[@judithjones9612]

Tu eres un buen maestro!👍🏻🐞

[@ryanerwood]

I love you

[@QrooSpanish]

Gracias. :)

[@believeinpeace]

Thanks!

[@QrooSpanish]

Thank you very much!!

[@galloitaliano27VEVO]

Cuando veo estos videos me acuerdo de la escuela; de esto se trataban las clases en segundo grado. Facilito. “Mi mamá me mima”. Un clásico.

[@poladelarosa8399]

Thanks, Paul.

[@lanapayne593]

I like your tangents. They are helpful too!

[@QrooSpanish]

Thanks!

[@Jayne1971]

Thanks Paul. I bought that book you recommended, now to get round to subscribing the Qroo crew! 😁

[@QrooSpanish]

I'll be covering that book in some sessions there next month. :)

[@Jayne1971]

@@QrooSpanish You're just saying that to get me to sign up, aren't you. 😏 No, seriously, I'll make it a priority either later this week or next week. 😁

[@Jayne1971]

​@@QrooSpanishJust a quick one. Will the lifetime membership still be available next week?

[@QrooSpanish]

Haha, no. It was already planned for April.

[@QrooSpanish]

Yes, I will keep the lifetime membership option up all month.

[@comounaverdura]

Hola. Aprendí mucho con este video. Gracias.

[@TheMightyDoon]

Great lesson. I got them exactly opp wrong lol but glad you clarified further cause Cuando is tricky. Also I wonder what your thought is on that comment below about something always /usually happening not being subjunctive.

[@QrooSpanish]

There are some regional differences in the use of the subjunctive and things like that may apply in those areas; however, that is not considered standard, grammatically correct Spanish across the board. The addition of the word "siempre" does not change anything. Take a look at these sentences: Me alegro de que mi mujer me trate bien. (siempre, habitualmente) Me alegro de que mi mujer siempre me trate bien. They are saying the same thing. When I say something like, "I like that my wife treats me well." That is referring to a habitual action. Although some native speakers may argue otherwise, the use of the indicative after GUSTAR and QUE would not be considered correct in most of the Spanish-speaking world. In my videos, I try to give students of the language the most widely accepted constructions and usages of Spanish. I will also talk about regional differences in many of my videos.

[@TheMightyDoon]

Excellen t answer and tx for taking the time.@@QrooSpanish

[@drsheldoncooper2951]

Could you please explaine subjuntive trigering in situation with verbs like pensar, suponer, creer, etc.

[@kcorpora1]

"cuando trigger non trigger" will always confuse new learners for a while because they have learned (right or wrong) when you see (cuando) it immediately triggers the subjunctive. I like to separate "cuando" in this manner as a separator indicative/subjunctive use: If it is something that always/usually happens, it is not subjunctive...cuando mi hermano come, él mastica fuerte y no me gusta. If it is asked in a question it is not subjunctive...cuando vienes? cuando vas a venir? The example: me gusta cuando Juan llega temprano...I immediately see that Juan arrives early sometimes. That what does sometimes. Here is a funny related. At the job this morning a night shift worker that I know at my job gets off in the morning a half hour after I come in so he has that 30 minute down time before he gets off....He usually sleeps the last half-hour and sometimes sleeps with his mouth open...I said to a co-worker this morning "no me gusta cuando duerme con su grande boca abierta, no quiero ver eso esta mañana." Lol, I wasn't in the mood to see that this morning! Good stuff!

[@TheMightyDoon]

This was really helpful. Good job.

[@rmonty94]

One small thing: "gran boca abierta" instead of "grande boca abierta". Adjectives often take a different form when placed before a noun.

[@kcorpora1]

@@rmonty94 no doubt! "con su gran boca abierta." Saying it on the fly can get you if you are not paying attention or don't know. That is the nuances of the language writing it versus speaking it in real time. In real time you can catch yourself or hopefully be corrected and hopefully remember. Good stuff!

[@kcorpora1]

@@rmonty94 cierra tu gran boca!...el coche grande. Good stuff!

[@stopthatluca]

Thinking about it we do say Dine in English. "where are you dining tonight?" as well as "where are you going to eat dinner tonight?". Breakfast and Lunch can also becomes advectives - "I'm going to breakfast outside today" . I'm lunching with friends etc.

[@jamesfreese4700]

excellent as always!!!

[@QrooSpanish]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Zzyzzyx]

English does have verbs for eating specific meals; they're just not as common as they used to be. To sup, to dine, to lunch, and to breakfast. ❤

[@QrooSpanish]

True. I guess I never use those.

[@Zzyzzyx]

@@QrooSpanish Me neither! 😄

[@helenamcginty4920]

I think ive read them in old story books. And childhood rhymes. But I am 76. Eg. To bed to bed says sleepy head. Tarry a while says slow. Put on the pan says greedy Nan Lets sup before we go. Only place I can recall its being used.

[@Zzyzzyx]

@@helenamcginty4920 Well, "dine" is still pretty common

[@davinashell9040]

wish there was a LOL emoji, not just thumbs up!

[@darshanbharj5615]

Brilliant, can you please explain what you mean by value judgement. I don’t understand, thanks in advance

[@QrooSpanish]

Verbs like "to prefer", "to like" ..."it's good that..." etc.

[@darshanbharj5615]

​@@QrooSpanishThank you for the explanation 🙏 much appreciated

[@stevevoysey]

Excellent explanation of the subjunctive. We do have it in English but its scope is much more than Spanish. As a speaker of French and German I've had to grapple with the subjunctive but it is far more prolific in Spanish. This helps with the present subjunctive but I struggle with the past forms...all those hubiera/tuviera etc.. As a Brit, I'm far more used to hearing Castilian than South American Spanish, so all those soft 'c's sound strange to me.

[@samstromberg5593]

Yeah people ask why it’s not a thing in English … like it IS, it’s just I can only think of one example in the entire language where it’s used and that’s “God save the King/Queen”

[@stevevoysey]

@samstromberg5593 ' be that as it may,' 'long live..''whether it be...' and very often phrases with suggest, recommend..' I suggest your child listen more carefully ' etc. All subjunctive.

[@stevevoysey]

And...'if I were' is a past subjunctive.

[@samstromberg5593]

@@stevevoysey Ooh nice ones I’ve personally never heard “I suggest” aside from like “I suggest the soup” or “I suggest you keep moving” but neither of those are subjunctive but the other ones I have heard and just didn’t consider

[@julienandross]

este video estuve muy bueno. gracias!

[@davinashell9040]

usaste "entristecerse" pero "poner triste" como, "me pone triste" funciona también? MUCHAS gracias! eres el máximo!

[@QrooSpanish]

Si, "poner triste" sería correcto también.

[@kimbishop3131]

Wow! So helpful! Mil Gracias!!

[@QrooSpanish]

I'm glad you liked it. :)

[@Philosopearl]

You're still the best ❤

[@QrooSpanish]

Thanks! You're too kind!

[@fal8458]

Maestro Paul, sometimes I hear the subjunctive being used with cuando in other instances that don’t seem to fall within this pattern. Are there other trigger examples for cuando? I’ve heard it said like “ahora lo tienes cuando vengan tus amigos” is this just because of the hypothetical of them possibly coming one day? I really feel like I overthink the hypotheticals and use subjunctive when it’s not needed. Though your triggers in other videos have helped me tremendously to always say it right in those cases.

[@davecash7669]

This is great 😊

[@Rev14v7]

Muy interesante. Entonces, según la regla sobre "cuando" como detonante del subjuntivo, podemos decir "Me enojaré cuando Juan llegue tarde". Pero el presente simplemente requiere el indicativo.

[@QrooSpanish]

Así es. :)

[@Alyssabahu]

Thanks!

[@MassMexi]

Otro repaso excelente. Gracias.

[@BruceNgubane-r2i]

Q? I learned that when in clauses words like (siempre, a menudo, etc.) are added you do not apply the subjunctive. Why is it applied in this case and seems appropriate to.

[@MrAlirezait]

I have a question.I translated your example "it makes me sad that you don't want to spend time with me " as "me hace triste que no quieras pasar tiempo conmigo" , then I saw your example with "me entristece". Is "Me hace triste" incorrect?

[@QrooSpanish]

You can use me hace triste; however, me pone triste would be more common. PONER and PONERSE are used a lot with emotions.

[@siaxatzi]

You make it sooo easy🎉🎉. Thank you!

[@QrooSpanish]

Happy to help!

[@marthaandersen7259]

Thanks. Very helpful!

[@QrooSpanish]

You're welcome!

[@dianegoldfarb5692]

Me gustan tus diversiones..tangencias!!?? (no sé la palabra correcta)

[@SladjanaStanisic-c1n]

Una nota para ti; unos tutoriales proponen que la palabra "siempre" no cause el subjuntivo, pero sin ella si se aplica. Ejemplos que vi: "Me gusta que siempre llega temprano", porque estamos hablando de algo que siempre pasa, asi que es correcto ponerlo en preterito de que no hay ningun incertidumbre. "Me gusta que lluege temprano" si nos causa el subjuntive, ya que estamos hablando de algo que no pase todo el tiempo. Tienen razon los otros tutoriales y canales de KZbin o no? Gracias de nuevo por la leccion. :)

[@QrooSpanish]

En cuanto al uso del subjuntivo, hay regionalismos, pero este uso del indicativo no concuerda con la gramática española. La presencia de la palabra 'siempre' no cambia nada. No hay ninguna diferencia entre las siguientes frases. Me alegro de que mi mujer me trate bien. (siempre, habitualmente) Me alegro de que mi mujer siempre me trate bien. Las dos oraciones significan lo mismo. Pero, como ya mencioné, el uso del subjuntivo varía en algunas regiones. El uso del indicativo después de GUSTAR y QUE no se consideraría correcto en la mayor parte del mundo hispanohablante.

[@SladjanaStanisic-c1n]

@@QrooSpanish Entiendo! Gracias por explicarlo!

[@donnafoster5215]

Good information!

[@QrooSpanish]

Thanks!

[@scotthullinger4684]

It helps if we first know what the proper meaning is supposed to be in English, which is not always conveyed clearly with the questionable choices of particular word combinations. It's better to say something like "I'm pleased that Juan typically arrives early" - or words to that effect. The subjunctive mood is actually not needed, although it could indeed be employed if there's a reason, for example, to express any doubt in the conclusion you've made regarding Juan's arrival. If you're making a statement of fact - even if the fact is regarding your opinion - then just use the present form of the verb, rather than the subjunctive form.

[@LoayMatar]

Brilliant!

[@JohnnyZenith]

I wrote 'Me hace triste que no quieras pasar tiempo conmigo. No lo dicho bien? I still wish I could get lessons with you :(

[@QrooSpanish]

That is an option. Me pone triste would be more common. You will see poner used this way with certain emotions: me pone nervioso...it makes me nervous.

[@kennethschwartz898]

¿Cómo se pronuncia RR si no se puede hacer el sonido?

[@QrooSpanish]

Como el sonido de algo raspando contra algo.

[@kennethschwartz898]

@@QrooSpanishthank you for your reply but I don't know what you mean... Do I use an Americian r or a spanish tapped R or ?

[@asila2652]

Paul el mago

[@QrooSpanish]

Jaja, gracias. :)

[@andreasali4125]

Hi Paul! I bought the lifetime access (and my card has been charged), but I haven't gotten the email for access. I emailed Monday and today, but haven't gotten a response. Could you please check your email?

[@QrooSpanish]

You should have gotten an invite from Skool with a link. Check your spam filter. If it is not there, send me an email [e-mail]

[@andreasali4125]

Thanks Paul. No links anywhere. I did send another email just now, but I’m not sure you’re getting my emails as I have already sent 2 emails with no replies. Any help is appreciated!

[@QrooSpanish]

I just sent you a new Skool link and responded to your email.

[@Said_w_the_G]

I was under the impression that the first example is the other way around? Isn’t the subjunctive used when you are firstly, talking about someone else, and the action has not yet happened or maybe won’t happen?

[@QrooSpanish]

That is a different trigger and it is explained at the end of this video.

[@pickedupapencil]

I don't know, man. We all confused, but I kind of see it like, you're talking about him arriving early and are not saying he does it at all, but you're just saying this thing I'm talking about pleases me. Whereas when you say when, in this context, you're saying it does happen, and when it does, it's pleasing, and you're not saying that this daydreamy thing would please you. I don't know. I'm still working through it.

[@QrooSpanish]

Does this help? For cuando to trigger the subjunctive one clause will ONLY occur once the second clause (the subjunctive) has happened first. We will often express that with WILL or a command. Don't overthink it though. Call me when you have the information. I will call you when I have the information. Compare that with this: It makes me sad when you are late. (Not, I will get sad WHEN you are late. )

[@ashsharma3169]

I thought you do not use the subjunctive when you talk about ourself!

[@jim2376]

que, okay?

[@chriswesley594]

Am I the only person on the planet struggling with rage at the sheer stupidity of all this "nonsense"?! It's all utterly pointless! Massive amounts of work to accomplish nothing except compliance to a huge set of pointless arbitrary rules. I realise I'm hating on a language and probably a class of languages (Romance languages) but - heh - I never got to be this popular by holding back. HAHAHAHA. But seriously (ish) does anyone else think "Oh FFS - screw all this"?

[@bensteinberg138]

completely off topic: what kind of t-shirt is that? LOL

[@QrooSpanish]

Old Navy.