So, which part of this lesson gave you problems? Are you all clear on how to use the word “cuándo” in questions? Can you give some examples?

Mariposa,

Good question. In Spanish, we have both “quizás” and “tal vez”, and both of them can be used to introduce a clause in either the indicative or subjunctive mood (conjuntivo = subjunctive/subjuntivo ).

For example:

“¿Quizás no querrás ir?” (Perhaps you might not want to go?) [indicative mood]
“¿Quizás no quisieras ir? (Perhaps you may not want to go?) [subjunctive mood]

“¿Tal vez te interesaría el libro?” (Perhaps it book would interest you?) [indicative mood]
“¿Tal vez te interese el libro?” (Perhaps the book may interest you?) [subjunctive mood]

The phrase “tal vez” probably give rise to the subjunctive mood more than the indicative, but again, this is going to depend on the context. In the last two example, you see that “interesaría” is conjugation to the conditional. You’ll find that conditional statements are very common in Spanish, and when constructed, they usually take one clause in the indicative mood (conditional tense) and another clause, the subordinated clause, in the subjunctive mood.

Some linguists dispute whether the conditional tense belongs to the indicative or subjunctive mood. So, I just mention that so that we are aware of the dispute. In any case, it is probably safe to say that it’s less common to use the subjunctive mood in both clauses (main and subordinate) in spoken Spanish than it is in Spanish literature, Portuguese perhaps (you’ll tell me!) and Latin. Nevertheless, it can be used and is grammatically correct:

For example:

Si fuera rey, cambiara el mundo. (If I were king, I would change the world) [subjunctive in both clauses]

Si fuera rey, cambiaría el mundo. (If I were king, I would change the world.) [imperfect subjunctive, then conditional]

I hope this helps. Feel free to give some examples (in English or Portuguese ).

Glad to see you’re delving into these complex topics!

Saludos,

Joseph