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The key to trigger the subjunctive in this type of clauses is the verb
(Vb) in the main clause. When this (Vb) in Spanish conveys the idea of
volition, uncertainty or feelings, we use subjunctive in the noun clause.
However, in English, subjunctive is used only when the (Vb) has the
semantic feature of volition.
These verbs of volition (or “verbos de influencia” in Spanish) denote
willpower. They mean wanting, demanding, preferring, wishing, ordering
or telling someone else to do something.
It is important to remember that the subject of the sentence will be
wishing that someone else be doing something. The person doing the
wishing will be separated from the wished-upon person by [that/que] in
most cases.
Summing up:
ENGLISH SPANISH
1.volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings
1
En la gramática española, los verbos que expresan mandato, ruego o sugerencia
se suelen llamar también “verbos de influencia.”
Insisto (K: verbo de mandato) en que esté (SUBJ) presente.
She had regained consciousness, they said, but was sleeping. A kind nurse
suggested (K: volition) I go (SUBJ) home and get (SUBJ) some rest, too.3
Dijeron que ella había recuperado el conocimiento, pero que dormía. Una
amable enfermera sugirió (K: verbo de deseo) que me fuera (SUBJ) a casa y
descansara (SUBJ) también.
In this example, the subjunctive is shown in English by the use of the bare
infinitive. In this context there is no (A) because, as the verb in the main
clause has the component of volition, subjunctive is demanded.
I doubt (K: uncertainty) that this was (IND) what he intended to say, but
since the phrase was his he could not dissent.4
Dudo (K: verbos de duda) que esto fuera (SUBJ) lo que él quería decir pero
como la frase era suya, él ahora no podía disentir.
Notice that unlike the examples under (1) where the subjunctive is
used only when the verb in the main clause expresses volition, in the
previous examples under (2) the indicative mood is used in English since the
(Vb) in the main clause expresses uncertainty.
-I don’t believe (K: uncertainty) such a conflict might repeat (IND) itself.
No creo (verbo de duda) que se pueda repetir (SUBJ) un conflicto así.
2
The verb to want is always followed by a to-infinitive (non-finite) in English; but, as
the verb in the main clause (want/querer) has the component of volition,
subjunctive is required in Spanish.
3
From: White, Stephen (2000). Manner of Death. New York: A Signet Book.
4
From: Bellow, Saul (1994). Dangling Man. London: Penguin Books Ltd.
-And I think (K: certainty) immigrants are (IND) very strong people.
Y creo (verbo de certeza) que los inmigrantes son (IND) personas muy fuertes.
“Even if you could only stay for a few days, I’d really appreciate (K: feelings)
if you could come and let me know what you think (IND).”5
-Aunque solo pudieras quedarte unos pocos días, realmente te agradecería (K:
verbo de afección) que pudieras venir y comentarme lo que piensas (SUBJ).
1.I suggest (K: volition) that he should (MODAL as SUBJ marker) leave.
Or:
5
From: Charles, Kate (1991). A Drink of Deadly Wine. New York: The Mysterious
Press.
Notice the different value of should in both sentences. In the first one, as
suggest contains the feature of volition subjunctive is required, so the
modal is functioning just as a subjunctive marker.
On the other hand, the verb think in the second sentence lacks the feature
of volition; consequently, the modal preserves its meaning of modality
proper: advisability.
ENGLISH SPANISH
1.Volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings
II.1.1 Volition
And in Tommy’s suggestion (K: volition) that Andy ask (SUBJ) his
solicitor´s help, there was fair indication of exactly what the detectives’ next
move would be.6
II.1.2-Uncertainty
6
From: George, Elizabeth (2000). In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner. New York: Bantam
Books.
7
From: Perry, Anne (1998). Whited Sepulchres. London: Headline Book Publishing.
—¿Usted me está diciendo que la señora Lambert organizó un casamiento sin
la seguridad (K: duda) de que hubiera (SUBJ) novio?
II.1.3-Feelings
“I’d like to tell you all that I am not a good speaker, but I cannot let the
moment pass without expressing my gratitude to you all for coming, my
hope (K: feelings) that you are enjoying (IND) the reception. And I would
mainly like to say that I am very happy that my daughter, Elizabeth, is
marrying such a splendid man as Henry is. I am sure he will make her very
happy, and I can tell him that if she is as good a wife as she has been
8
In English the mood of the noun clause in apposition is Indicative, as the (K)
expresses feeling, while in Spanish the mood is subjunctive precisely for the
same reason.
ENGLISH SPANISH
1.Volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings
8
From: Robards, Karen (1999). The Senator’s Wife. USA: A Dell Book.
II.2.1-Volition
II.2.2-Uncertainty
Mr. Sandeman had promised to give any assistance he could, should Monk
ever need it. Monk was not sure (K: uncertainty) if he had spoken (IND)
impulsively, (…) but this seemed like an excellent time to put it to the
test.10
The mood is different in both languages. Check the previous chart and
you’ll find the reason.
II.2.3-Feelings
Let’s analyze the second part of one of the examples already provided:
“I’d like to tell you all that I am not a good speaker, but I cannot let the
moment pass without expressing my gratitude to you all for coming, my
hope that you are enjoying the reception. And I would mainly like to say
that I am very happy (K: feelings) that my daughter, Elizabeth, is
marrying such a splendid man as Henry is. I am sure he will make her
very happy, and I can tell him that if she is as good a wife as she has been a
daughter, he will be a lucky man.”
-(…) Y principalmente quisiera decirles que estoy muy contento (K: estado de
ánimo) de que mi hija, Elizabeth, se case (SUBJ) con un hombre tan
espléndido como Henry (…).
9
From: Quirk, R. Greenbaum, S. (1990). A University Grammar of English. London:
Longman.
10
Perry, Anne (1998). Whited Sepulchres. London: Headline Book Publishing.
In English, once more, the mood is indicative because the feature of
volition is not present, but as the adjective expresses feelings, the mood is
subjunctive in Spanish.
“(…) and I am sure (K: fact) he will make (IND) her very happy, and I can
tell him that if she is as good a wife as she has been a daughter, he will be a
lucky man.”
-(…) y estoy seguro (K: certeza) de que la hará (IND) muy feliz, y a él le
digo que si como esposa es tan buena como lo ha sido como hija, entonces
será muy afortunada.
Here the mood is indicative in both languages because all the features
that require subjunctive are missing.
KEY: SUBJECT
ENGLISH SPANISH
1.Volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings
II.3.1-Volition
The use of the bare infinitive accompany destroys any possible ambiguity.
11
Victor, Barbara (1993). Friends, Lovers, Enemies. USA: Ballantine Books.
II.3.2 Uncertainty
My doubt (K: uncertainty) is that this was (IND) what he intended to say.
Mi duda (duda o incerteza) es que esto fuera (SUBJ) lo que él había querido
decir.
II.3.3-Feelings
Harrigan’s hope (K: feelings) was that, with Debray and the audio tape,
he’d have(IND) enough newly discovered evidence to file a motion to
reopen Ashbourne’s habeas hearing.12 (SC)
Harrigan tenía la esperanza (K: deseo) de que, con Debray y el video, tuviera
(SUBJ) la suficiente cantidad de nuevas pruebas como para reabrir la
causa de Ashbourne. (APPOSITION)
CO-REFERENT SUBJECT
It is important to point out before ending this document that, when the
subject is co-referent in both clauses, we replace the noun clause by an
infinitival phrase in Spanish.
“Christ, stop apologizing,” he said roughly. “I’m sorry I made you talk
about her.”13
12
Blum, Bill (1997). The Last Appeal. USA: An Onix Book.
13
Johansen, Iris (1988). The Face of Deception. New York: Bantam Books.
-Por Dios, deje de disculparse —dijo con aspereza—. (yo) Lamento (yo)
haberlo hecho hablar de ella.
In this case, the Spanish reader would understand that someone else “made
you talk about her.”
BIBLIOGRAFÍA