El modo subjuntivo

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

I find myself becoming frantic and impatient as I feel that I am not as far along as I should be. This is my second course and I should be comfortable having a conversation where I can discuss anything from family to work

But what are you measuring yourself against? I honestly think you are doing yourself an injustice. Nobody would be expected to 'feel comfortable' after studying so short a time - I expect you to be sweating and exhausted. I guess you are at a stage where you know what to say, but by the time you have worked it out, the moment has passed and the conversation has moved on leaving you feeling inadequate. Am I near?

[ChicadeJeep]

Originally Posted by chileno

That's why you should do what I am telling you. Besides of what you are already doing.

Thank you chileno! I most definitely will take your advise.

Originally Posted by Perikles

But what are you measuring yourself against? I honestly think you are doing yourself an injustice. Nobody would be expected to 'feel comfortable' after studying so short a time - I expect you to be sweating and exhausted. I guess you are at a stage where you know what to say, but by the time you have worked it out, the moment has passed and the conversation has moved on leaving you feeling inadequate. Am I near?

Yes! Absolutely! My husband keeps asking me to say stuff in Spanish and I know what I should be saying but just can't figure it out. I forget words. I forget simple words! My course work is what is saying I should be at that point. But I have only been honestly studying (via a course) for 5.5 months now. Is that a time frame that a person should be comfortable with all this new learning?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

Thank you chileno! I most definitely will take your advise.



Yes! Absolutely! My husband keeps asking me to say stuff in Spanish and I know what I should be saying but just can't figure it out. I forget words. I forget simple words! My course work is what is saying I should be at that point. But I have only been honestly studying (via a course) for 5.5 months now. Is that a time frame that a person should be comfortable with all this new learning?

Yes and no, really!

It depends on the practice, not only the amount of it but the type.

Transcribe a novel and at the end you will definitely will notice the difference, even if you do it in a month or less. But you have to dedicate your time to it.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

But I have only been honestly studying (via a course) for 5.5 months now. Is that a time frame that a person should be comfortable with all this new learning?

I would say not - I would be very jealous of somebody who could claim that. I have been studying languages on and off for decades, and it takes me (literally) years before feeling 'comfortable'.

Edit: It also depends hugely on what level of competence makes you comfortable. A self-critical person has a hard life here.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I would say not - I would be very jealous of somebody who could claim that. I have been studying languages on and off for decades, and it takes me (literally) years before feeling 'comfortable'.

Edit: It also depends hugely on what level of competence makes you comfortable. A self-critical person has a hard life here.

Take in account all she is saying is that she cannot make even small statements to tell her husband because she gets all knotted up.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

Take in account all she is saying is that she cannot make even small statements to tell her husband because she gets all knotted up.

.. I get the point. However, this may, or may not, involve the dynamics of a relationship. Dangerous territory.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

.. I get the point. However, this may, or may not, involve the dynamics of a relationship. Dangerous territory.

Bruto!

[ChicadeJeep]

Haha! You guys are funny.

No - saying simple things to my husband such as "would you like a glass of milk?" Etc.

You two make me laugh!!
I am a very self-critical person which does make it harder I imagine/suppose/guess.

I found the local library the other day and will be going to find a Spanish novel to transcribe as soon as I can! Perhaps they have movies as well.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

I am a very self-critical person which does make it harder I imagine/suppose/guess. .

Good - this means that you have a better chance of finishing up speaking excellent Spanish.

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

I found the local library the other day and will be going to find a Spanish novel to transcribe as soon as I can! Perhaps they have movies as well.

This is a very good idea, but please be careful in your choice of book. Some are very heavy going, for example Gabriel García Márquez. If you see a book by Tracey Chevalier (especailly the Girl with the Pearl Earring) translated from English, try one of those to begin with - very nice but simple style.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Good - this means that you have a better chance of finishing up speaking excellent Spanish.

This is a very good idea, but please be careful in your choice of book. Some are very heavy going, for example Gabriel García Márquez. If you see a book by Tracey Chevalier (especailly the Girl with the Pearl Earring) translated from English, try one of those to begin with - very nice but simple style.

Remember that the proficiency in his/her own language plays a role too. So recommending book just like that, to your liking, it does not mean much, other than making it worse for the learner, could be way above her/his head or so easy that leave her/him wondering... in either case the person might end quitting the learning of a new language for "later" which translate to never again.

[ChicadeJeep]

I have knowledge of University level English - so even if I managed to pick up a 'heavy' read I should be okay with it.

BUT, I do believe that I will start with something simple and easy!!
(Maybe a kids novel?!)

Okay - I have redone again: Newest in purple.

Carlos nunca dijo a su familia que la sucursal de Miami tenía problemas.
¡Eso no es (this is not subjunctive) bueno!
¡Es lamentable que no le dijo a su familia!
¡Es lamentable que no le dijo a su familia!
¡Es lamentable que no le haya dijo a su familia! (I think that all I had to do was add the haya in?)

Ahora la familia cree que Carlos les ha engañado a todos.
¡Esperemos que Carlos puede(this is not subjunctive) explicar lo que pasó!
¡No es cierto que engañó a su familia!
¡No es cierto que engañó a su familia!
¡Es no es cierto que haya engañó a su familia! (I think that all I had to do was add the haya in?)

Probablemente Arturo vendrá a México a reunirse con Raquel.
¡Qué bueno que debería (this is not subjunctive) ser!
¡Es fácil que ella sea contento!
¡Es fácil que ella sea contento!
¡Espero que ella sea feliz! (I changed it to I hope she will be happy - does this work better?)

[chileno]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

I have knowledge of University level English - so even if I managed to pick up a 'heavy' read I should be okay with it.

BUT, I do believe that I will start with something simple and easy!!
(Maybe a kids novel?!)

No, because it makes you feel awkward.

Maybe easy, but not that easy, although I always recommend you pick up something that will be at your level, not so much as to be a challenge, but enough to leave you wanting more.

[ChicadeJeep]

Originally Posted by chileno

No, because it makes you feel awkward.

Maybe easy, but not that easy, although I always recommend you pick up something that will be at your level, not so much as to be a challenge, but enough to leave you wanting more.

Okay - I am awkward enough as it is!!

I will follow that advise chileno - thank you again!
Will try and get to the library tomorrow.
We are in the process of packing our home to move so it is tough to find time!

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

Okay - I have redone again: Newest in purple.

¡Es lamentable que no le haya dijo a su familia! (I think that all I had to do was add the haya in?)

Ahora la familia cree que Carlos les ha engañado a todos.
¡Es no es cierto que haya engañó a su familia! (I think that all I had to do was add the haya in?)

Wrong in both cases. "Dijo" and "engañó" are simple past, and both because of the exercise reasons and the sentence structure, you have to use a subjunctive:
-> Es lamentable que no le haya dicho a su familia.
-> No es cierto que haya engañado a su familia.
"Haber" is an auxiliary verb used for conjugating composite tenses. It needs a past participle.

If you still haven't learnt those tenses, you can follow one of Chileno's previous suggestions and make the sentences with subjunctive preterite:
-> Es lamentable que no le dijera a su familia.
-> No es cierto que engañara a su familia.

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

Probablemente Arturo vendrá a México a reunirse con Raquel.
¡Espero que ella sea feliz! (I changed it to I hope she will be happy - does this work better?)

You could also have kept contento(a): "¡Espero que ella esté contenta!"

[ChicadeJeep]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep
Okay - I have redone again: Newest in purple.

¡Es lamentable que no le haya dijo a su familia! (I think that all I had to do was add the haya in?)

Ahora la familia cree que Carlos les ha engañado a todos.
¡Es no es cierto que haya engañó a su familia! (I think that all I had to do was add the haya in?)

Wrong in both cases. "Dijo" and "engañó" are simple past, and both because of the exercise reasons and the sentence structure, you have to use a subjunctive:
-> Es lamentable que no le haya dicho a su familia.
-> No es cierto que haya engañado a su familia.
"Haber" is an auxiliary verb used for conjugating composite tenses. It needs a past participle.

Darn! I tried to figure it out and then my brain just told me that I needed to only add haya in front.

If you still haven't learnt those tenses, you can follow one of Chileno's previous suggestions and make the sentences with subjunctive preterite:
-> Es lamentable que no le dijera a su familia.
-> No es cierto que engañara a su familia.

I will take this suggestion and use those. And will have to study a little more on the subjunctive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep
Probablemente Arturo vendrá a México a reunirse con Raquel.
¡Espero que ella sea feliz! (I changed it to I hope she will be happy - does this work better?)

You could also have kept contento(a): "¡Espero que ella esté contenta!"

Oh good! Thanks! Ah - because I had originally used 'es' which is not used in subjunctive, therefore it has to be esté.

I think I responded into the quote ... sorry about that!
Thank you very much for your help!

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by ChicadeJeep

Oh good! Thanks! Ah - because I had originally used 'es' which is not used in subjunctive, therefore it has to be esté.

I think I responded into the quote ... sorry about that!
Thank you very much for your help!

Don't worry about where you reply... I just hope comments and suggestions will help you.

"Es" was not a subjunctive, that's true, but it wasn't the right verb either:

Ser -> es (simple present) -> sea (subjunctive)
Estar -> está (simple present) -> esté (subjunctive)

[ChicadeJeep]

Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar

Don't worry about where you reply... I just hope comments and suggestions will help you.

"Es" was not a subjunctive, that's true, but it wasn't the right verb either:

Ser -> es (simple present) -> sea (subjunctive)
Estar -> está (simple present) -> esté (subjunctive)

Ahhh the dreaded Ser vs Estar! I always get those confused!
Yes - the comments do help me!