Indicativo vs Subjuntivo: the big review
By B2 you shouldn't be memorizing lists of 'subjunctive triggers' — you should FEEL the system. Core idea: indicative asserts a fact; subjunctive does everything else (wish, doubt, evaluation, hypothesis, unspecified). Today: a tour of the main decision points so you can see the pattern.
Verbs of thought — double-edged
creer / pensar / saber / parecer + que. Affirmative → indicative: Creo que viene (I think he's coming). Negative → subjunctive: No creo que venga (I don't think he's coming). Question — both possible: ¿Crees que viene? (neutral) / ¿Crees que venga? (with a doubt nuance).
Wish, emotion, influence — always subjunctive
querer que, esperar que, pedir que, decir que (= to ask), me alegro de que, me da pena que, es importante que, es bueno que. ALWAYS + subj., as long as the subjects are different. Same subject → infinitive: Quiero ir (one subject) / Quiero que vayas (two subjects). Es bueno estudiar (general) / Es bueno que estudies (specifically you).
Doubt and possibility — almost always subjunctive
Es posible que, es probable que, puede que, quizá / quizás, tal vez, ojalá. All + subj. Exception for quizá/tal vez: indicative is possible too for more confidence. Quizá venga mañana (maybe he'll come — doubt) vs Quizá viene mañana (maybe he's coming — more confident). B2 nuance.
Time conjunctions — future or not?
cuando, hasta que, en cuanto, mientras, después de que. + indicative for HABIT or PAST. + subjunctive for FUTURE. Cuando llego, ceno (every day — habit → indic). Cuando llegue, cenaré (tomorrow — future → subj). The most common shift.
Relative clauses — specific or not?
que, donde, quien — after a noun. If the object is specific and exists → indicative. If still being looked for / hypothetical / negated → subjunctive. Tengo un libro que es interesante (specific) vs Busco un libro que sea interesante (any one that fits) vs No hay nadie que sepa la respuesta (none exists).
Purpose and condition conjunctions
para que (so that) — ALWAYS + subj. (only an exception when the subjects are the same: voy para hablar — but then there's no que). antes de que, sin que — ALWAYS + subj. aunque (although/even if): + indic. for fact (aunque llueve, voy — it's raining, fact); + subj. for hypothetical (aunque llueva, iré — even if it rains). a pesar de que: same rule.
The 'can I guarantee?' test
If, at the moment of saying it, you can vouch that it's true — indicative. If not (because you wish it, doubt it, are searching for it, fantasizing, evaluating from outside) — subjunctive. Not magic, just the speaker's perspective. With practice the choice becomes automatic.
