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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Subjunctive and Indicative?

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The difference between the subjunctive and indicative moods lies in the level of certainty and the context in which they are used. Here are the key differences:

  1. Subjunctive mood:
  • Used to describe hypothetical scenarios or to express wishes, recommendations, or demands (e.g., "I insist he stop talking," "I wish I were an astronaut").
  • Refers to desires, doubts, wishes, conjectures, emotions, and possibilities.
  • Generally used when the certainty of the action or state is uncertain or subjective.
  1. Indicative mood:
  • Used to express facts (e.g., "It is sunny today").
  • Refers to objective and certain information, such as facts, descriptions, and scheduled events.
  • Generally used when the certainty of the action or state is certain or objective.

In summary, the subjunctive mood is used to express subjective experiences, doubts, and wishes, while the indicative mood is used to express objective and certain information. When deciding which mood to use, consider the level of certainty and the context of the sentence.

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  • What is the Difference Between Subjunctive and Indicative?
  • Comparative Table: Subjunctive vs Indicative

    • Comparative Table: Subjunctive vs Indicative

    The difference between the subjunctive and indicative moods lies in their purpose. Here is a table summarizing their main differences:

    Feature Subjunctive Indicative
    Expression of Uncertainty, wishes, doubts, desires, and emotions Objective facts and certainty
    Purpose To express subjective experiences like wishes, desires, doubts, uncertainty, and personal opinions and feelings To express known facts, actions, or events that have happened or will happen
    Time Frame Present, past simple, and future Present, imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, past simple, past perfect
    Use in Latin Rarely Primarily found in old phrases and mottos in modern English
    Use in Spanish To express emotions, recommendations, doubts, uncertainty, and hope To express facts, certainties, and known actions
    Key Expressions "Si" (if) with "cum" (although, since, or whereas), "Estoy seguro(a) que…" (I am sure that…), "Es cierto que…" (It is true that…) "María se alegra" (Maria is happy), "Creo que María se alegra" (I believe that Maria is happy)

    In summary, the subjunctive mood is used to express subjective experiences and uncertainties, while the indicative mood is used to express objective facts and certainties.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.