Dan Nichols
With "a" and without "a" in the indicative and subjective clausal adjectives
Hola Todos! Hi all. I have a question about [El indicativo y el subjuntivo en cláusulas adjetivales]
In the following sentences, I am curious why when the a is present, the verb vivir is in indicative form, and when a is absent, the verb vivir is conjugated in subjunctive form.
Estoy confuso, en los siguientes frases - que significa el a porque el verbo cambió a subjuntivo ... porque sin el "a" el verbo cambió a subjuntivo?
"Buscan a un médico que vive aquí"
VS
"Buscan un médico que viva aquí"
Mar 25, 2019 11:04 PM
Comments · 3
3
With the subjunctive, we’re looking for any doctor who may happen to live here. It’s hypothetical, so there is no real concrete doctor — no real person.
With the indicative, we are looking for a specific doctor that we know lives here. There is a real, concrete doctor.
March 25, 2019
1
The first sentence implies that they are looking for a doctor that lives around here. Meaning they currently reside in the area.
The second sentence implies that they are looking for a doctor/medic that will live/reside in the area.
March 26, 2019
Hi Phil! Thanks so much! I think I understand that part about the incertidumbre, but I am focusing know the phrase alludes to that based on the presence or absence of "a". Maybe it is really obvious, but I am still lost on why the "a" indicates existence, whereas without the "a", (the only difference in the sentences that I see) it indicates the unknown. Thanks again!
March 25, 2019
Dan Nichols
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
Spanish
Articles You May Also Like
English for Awkward Moments: What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say
28 likes · 16 Comments
Understanding Business Jargon and Idioms
10 likes · 1 Comments
Conflict at Work: How to Handle Disagreements in English
15 likes · 10 Comments
More articles
