Subjunctive sucks!

Submitted by simon a on Thu, 07/06/2007 - 12:28.
simon a
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Anyone got any hints for getting my head around the subjunctive tense?  I have real difficulty understanding when to use it and I find it REALLY frustrating.

Some people say it does not exist in English and some say it does - if it does and somebody can give me some examples, I may be on the road to understanding it.

Thanks in advance for any pointers

simon a


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Thu, 07/06/2007 - 23:18
michaelshade
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Subjunctive

I'm afraid there's no simple key to understanding the use of the Subjunctive in Spanish - a look at any grammar book will confirm this, they all take pages & pages, or even several chapters. And there's no straightforward correspondence with anything in English.

You might try looking for "subjunctive spanish" in Google - this gives a substantial number of sites with explanations and exercises, they range from deep & wordy to colourful & brief; have a look at some of them & choose one that makes the best sense to you.

When you're reading something - anything - in Spanish, try to spot where the Subjunctive is being used (can you recognise the endings?), & then see if you can understand why - check back to your grammar book or one of the web sites.

The main thing is, don't let yourself get too hung up on it, accept that it's something that will take all learners quite a lot of experience in the language to get to grips with.

Buena suerte - y espero que lo entiendas mejor. ¡No te desesperes!

Un saludo,

Michael

--
Michael Shade

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Fri, 08/06/2007 - 03:53
Blackkdark
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The tricky Subjunctive.

It is in English, but only in some dialects, and it exists in the so called "proper" English, used in formal writing.  Although it is not as extensive as it is in Spanish, German, or other such verbally inflected languages.
Here's some pointers in English Subjunctive which can help you just wee bit in Spanish:
In English, we say things like:
"I was president."  That's the past tense, but....
"If I were president,..." That's subjunctive.  was-were.  That goes for most If clauses.  That goes with, "If it were..." as well as others.
Some that clauses use subjunctive.
"It is important that he be ready." (instead of," that he is ready.")
Now, it might sound unnatural to say, if I were, or that he be, but that's how it's used in "Proper" English or some dialects (like my own). 
Other constructions such as:
"I wish I were better at this."  are also subjunctive constructions.
It is also expressed in English by the use of the words would and could.

--

Ciao,


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Fri, 08/06/2007 - 13:17
simon a
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Thanks

Thanks very much guys, a big help, I will be hitting the internet this weekend.

Muchas gracias. 


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Fri, 08/06/2007 - 21:42
Ender
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Don't you use in England
Don't you use in England something like "If I were you, I would..."? I was learning about it about 1 year ago. Does it sound unnatural?
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Sun, 10/06/2007 - 17:32
simon a
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subjunctive in English
That sounds correct and is used commonly.  The problem is that in English schools they don't teach grammar anymore (or didn't when I was there anyway).  I am learning English grammar through Spanish - hence why I am coming unstuck!  Many thanks for your help
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Sun, 10/06/2007 - 18:35
Ender
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In Poland we have to learn
In Poland we have to learn polish grammar. But learning no grammar at all sounds weird Surprised
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Mon, 11/06/2007 - 08:30
simon a
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grammar
I guess we learned basic stuff or maybe they did teach it but I just didn't learn it - that's always a possibility!
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Tue, 12/06/2007 - 20:50
scrimbeldoo
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Conditional

Ender says: "Don't you use in England something like "If I were you, I would..."? I was learning about it about 1 year ago. Does it sound unnatural?"

Reply: It does sound fine. However, I think this is known as the conditional (when we use 'would + verb').


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Tue, 12/06/2007 - 20:55
scrimbeldoo
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The tricky Subjunctive.

Blackdark: This is really useful.

My teachers also explain to me that the subjuctive is often use with emotions, when something is not certain, ie. when it is an opinion. Also, it is used when there is a change in the subject.

For example: I wish MY BROTHER would work... - Espero que mi hermano trabaje... (I am no expert, so the Spanish may not be perfect, but I think that is the idea)

Finally, there are some set phrases that are always follwoed by the subjunctive, for example, il faut que + subj.

Again, if you look on the internet, you may find some more help and advice! Hope this helps a litte, if you want some more examples, let me know and I will look some up!

 

 


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