Subjunctive reality sentences

[cmon]

I read that the subjunctive can be used to refer to actual events. Can anyone explain?

Leí que el subjuntivo puede usar por se refiere a los sucesos verdaderos.
Alguien puede explicar?

[Tomisimo]

Do you have a sample sentence of what you're referring to?

[cmon]

El descubrimiento de una segunda persona con ántrax ha hecho que las autoridades estén investigando la posibilidad de que sea un acto criminal.

La diabetes causa que las heridas no se curen bien.
La ley obliga que asistamos.
Vigiló que vayamos a la escuela.
La lluvia produjo que me quedara sin correo electrónico.

[Rusty]

These are all examples of cause and effect or contingency. The subjunctive is used in these instances.
You may also be interested to know that certain conjunctions always require the subjunctive. These conjunctions fit in the contingency or purpose category. APACE is the mnemonic used to help us remember the starting letter of each conjunction.
A menos (de) que
Para que
Antes (de) que
Con tal (de) que
En caso de que

[Vikingo]

Hiya!

There are lots of cases where the subjunctive refers to actual events or facts, we can even think about what's going on with, for example, "me alegro de que estés aquí". You are in fact present, even though we're using the subjunctive. The role of the subjunctive in many such cases is to downplay the already known facts, and focus on others parts of the sentence (the parts in indicative).

Here's a great article on the many uses of the subjuctive.

Take care!

[Rusty]

In your example, Vikingo, emotion was the reason the subjunctive mood was required.

The article you mentioned looks good, but it is written entirely in Spanish and may not be understood by all members. There are many English language sites about the subjunctive, as well.

[María José]

Originally Posted by Rusty

In your example, Vikingo, emotion was the reason the subjunctive mood was required.

The article you mentioned looks good, but it is written entirely in Spanish and may not be understood by all members. There are many English language sites about the subjunctive, as well.

But look at the following sentence, Rusty: It's present (no emotion involved) and I've used the subjunctive in it:
Cuando vengas, llama al timbre.
Or:
Si acabas pronto, dame un toque.
Nice to contradict you again...

[Rusty]

You're not contradicting me. Emotion is one of the many reasons to use the subjunctive. Your sentence demonstrates one more - uncertainty.

[María José]

Originally Posted by Rusty

You're not contradicting me. Emotion is one of the many reasons to use the subjunctive. Your sentence demonstrates one more - uncertainty.

And he's still always right... I thought all this time might have changed the way the universe works, but I was mistaken.

[Vikingo]

Originally Posted by Rusty

In your example, Vikingo, emotion was the reason the subjunctive mood was required.

Absolutely. The point was that the reason for the emotion - the cause expressed by the subjunctive "estés aquí" - is an established fact. There are of course other emotions, triggered by fear of something unknown or hope that something will occur etc. The article I linked to does a good job in providing the real reasons behind the choice of subjunctive versus indicative, it goes into a lot more depth than other articles I've seen.

Originally Posted by Rusty

The article you mentioned looks good, but it is written entirely in Spanish and may not be understood by all members. There are many English language sites about the subjunctive, as well.

The article was a real eye-opener for me, at least, and I hope that the people able to read some Spanish will find the persistence to plow through it. I had to read it in parts.

Saludos