Indirect and direct objects with esperar

[Tomisimo]

This is a pretty good read for someone looking to improve their use of the Spanish subjunctive mood.....


Thanks Ale

[aleCcowaN]

Originally Posted by Nfqufktc

5A and 5B may have the background you mentioned, but they doesn't express any state of belief per se but rather hint what is the expected answer: indicative points to something "happening or existing in reality or at least in a mental space" so it most probably is trying to elicit an affirmative reply; subjunctive, on the contrary, doesn't do that, either something isn't happening or doesn't exist, or it doesn't matter if it is or does; it's just not the question. Using subjunctive may hint hesitation or that a negative answer is preferred.

Think of bosses and their aids

Boss -No creo que sea un buen candidato ( it doesn't seem there's much wiggle room here for dissention)

Boss -No me parece un candidato potable ( a lot of opinions can be expressed here)

6B is categorically "I don't think it's important" and not at all "I think it's unimportant". The same way, in the system of justice, "I don't think they're guilty" doesn't mean "I think they're innocent". The use of subjunctive in this example doesn't relate to doubts, hesitation or likelihood at all: the said concept is just not in the mind of the speaker, and that's it.