Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


Another subjunctive question

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old January 14, 2009, 06:28 PM
tacuba's Avatar
tacuba tacuba is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
Posts: 309
Native Language: English (USA)
tacuba is on a distinguished road
Another subjunctive question

Hi everyone:

I'm trying to say, for example to a waiter:

"I thought that I wasn't hungry, but look, I finished all of it."
"Yo creía que no tuve hambre, pero ¡mira!, terminé todo"

"I didn't think that I was hungry, but look, I finished all of it"
"Yo no creía que tuviera hambre, pero ¡mira!, terminé todo"

Am I correct in my use of the indicative in the first sentence and the subjunctive in the second?

Thanks guys!
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old January 14, 2009, 07:53 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,365
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Yes, you're correct to use the indicative in the first sentence and the subjunctive in the second. In the first sentence, I would opt for the imperfect tense (tenía) instead of tuve hambre.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old January 14, 2009, 09:09 PM
CrOtALiTo's Avatar
CrOtALiTo CrOtALiTo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Mérida, Yucatán
Posts: 11,686
Native Language: I can understand Spanish and English
CrOtALiTo is on a distinguished road
I believe that there are other meaning in theses sentences, or at least there are other way to translate of the same sentence but in other way, then I will do my own attempt.

I'm trying to say, for example to a waiter:

"I thought that I wasn't hungry, but look, I finished all of it."
"Pense que no tenia hambre, but mira, He terminado toda la comida.

"I didn't think that I was hungry, but look, I finished all of it"
"No pense que tenia hambre, but mira, Termine toda mi comida.

I repeat this was my own attempt in the translate of the sentences, but I'm disposed in change my own view point of the things in those sentences, of course always in when you are in the accurate.
__________________
We are building the most important dare for my life and my family feature now we are installing new services in telecoms.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old January 14, 2009, 10:05 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
For some reason I don't think I would use the subjunctive in the second sentence.

"I thought that I wasn't hungry, but look, I finished all of it."
Pensé/creí que no tenía hambre, pero mira, terminé comiéndome todo.

"I didn't think that I was hungry, but look, I finished all of it"
No pensé/no creí que tenía hambre, pero mira, lo terminé/lo acabé todo.
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old January 15, 2009, 01:28 AM
sosia's Avatar
sosia sosia is offline
Ankh-Morpork's citizen
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: a 55 cm del monitor
Posts: 2,984
Native Language: Spanish (Spain)
sosia has a spectacular aura aboutsosia has a spectacular aura about
"I thought that I wasn't hungry, but look, I finished all of it."
"Yo creía que no tenía hambre, pero ¡mira!, terminé todo" (Rusty's)

"I didn't think that I was hungry, but look, I finished all of it"
"Yo no pensaba que tuviera/tuviesehambre, pero ¡mira!, terminé todo"
I usually use "pensaba" instead of "creía" (both are OK) in this kind of sentence, because "pensar" has a less-deeper meaning.

little children says "me lo comí todo"
Saludos
__________________
History, contrary to popular theories, "is" kings and dates and battles.
Small Gods Terry Pratchett
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old January 15, 2009, 10:46 AM
cmon's Avatar
cmon cmon is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 224
Native Language: English
cmon is on a distinguished road
Found this rule in my grammar book.
One subject=use infinitive
Two subjects=use subjunctive
However, it is widely accepted that when the first verb is a verb of doubt, the second verb can be in the subjunctive, even when both verbs have the same subject.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old January 15, 2009, 01:16 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,365
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmon View Post
Found this rule in my grammar book.
One subject=use indicative
Two subjects=use subjunctive
However, it is widely accepted that when the first verb is a verb of doubt, the second verb can be in the subjunctive, even when both verbs have the same subject.
Sorry, but the rules above are very assuming, and wrong otherwise. I can present several grammatically-correct sentences that don't adhere to these 'rules'.

The indicative mood deals with reality (facts). It doesn't matter how many clauses there are in a sentence. It doesn't matter how many subjects are in the clauses. If the clause (sentence) deals with reality, the indicative mood is used.

Overall, the subjunctive mood is used to convey the speaker's reaction to reality. It is frequently found in a subordinate clause, but not always. When the subjunctive is used in a subordinate clause, it is because the verb in the main clause expresses the speaker's desire/hope, uncertainty/doubt or denial. It is also used in commands and with verbs of volition.

Here are some examples:

Indicative (Reality - Statements of Fact)
Linda se queda en cama. = Linda is staying in bed.
Sé que Linda se queda en cama. = I know (that) Linda is staying in bed.

Subjunctive (Speaker's Reaction to Reality)
No es cierto que Linda se quede en cama.
= It isn't certain (that) Linda is staying in bed. (Uncertainty/Doubt)
No es verdad que Linda se quede en cama.
= It isn't true (that) Linda is staying in bed. (Denial)
Estoy sorprendido que Linda se quede en cama.
= I'm surprised (that) Linda is staying in bed. (Reaction)
Espero que Linda se quede en cama.
= I hope (that) Linda stays in bed. (Desire)
Quiero que Linda se quede en cama.
= I want Linda to stay in bed. (Volition)
Dile a Linda que se quede en cama.
= Tell Linda to stay in bed. (Command)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old January 15, 2009, 03:12 PM
cmon's Avatar
cmon cmon is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 224
Native Language: English
cmon is on a distinguished road
Thanks, went back to the book and realized I misunderstood the text.
one subject:infinitive (Dudo poder venir) meant one subject:indicative to me.
Just got the meaning of infinitive and indicative mixed up.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old January 15, 2009, 06:30 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,365
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
I'm sorry, you had written infinitive (which, based on another comment in this post, I thought should have been indicative). Given the context you just provided, I can see that your textbook is correct. The example given is clearly one of doubt. This would certainly trigger the use of the subjunctive mood IF another clause is created (that's what it means by another subject). The person in that second clause could be the same person or another person. Either way, the subjunctive must be used.

Dudo poder venir. = I doubt I can come.
Dudo que pueda venir. = I doubt I can come.
Dudo que ella pueda venir. = I doubt she can come.

Thanks for the example from your textbook. It really helped to make this more clear for me.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old January 17, 2009, 01:39 PM
tacuba's Avatar
tacuba tacuba is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
Posts: 309
Native Language: English (USA)
tacuba is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by sosia View Post
I usually use "pensaba" instead of "creía" (both are OK) in this kind of sentence, because "pensar" has a less-deeper meaning.
Interesting. I always thought that it was the opposite, that pensar refers to the act of thinking itself, and that creer was a little more vague. In English when we way "I thought that I wasn't hungry", it really doesn't mean that we "thought" about it (like a math problem, for example).

Anyway, thanks everybody for your help.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Subjunctive practice cmon Practice & Homework 3 December 01, 2008 12:28 PM
Subjunctive/reality verbs cmon Grammar 1 November 27, 2008 02:56 AM
The subjunctive gatitoverde Grammar 19 May 16, 2008 04:59 PM
"Quiero" and the subjunctive pogo Grammar 3 November 19, 2006 06:45 PM
Subjunctive Mom of 5 Grammar 1 May 16, 2006 04:09 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:39 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X