Present subjunctive: probability and hypothesis Share Copied!
Learn to use the present subjunctive to express probability and hypothesis.
Gramática: Presente de subjuntivo: probabilidad e hipótesis
B1 Spanish Present subjunctive: probability and hypothesis (duplicated)
Level: B1
Module 1: Charlas y conversaciones (Chit chat and conversations)
Lesson 6: Injusticias y quejas (This is unfair!)
Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes
Audio and video
- We use the present subjunctive to express probabilities and hypotheses.
- The most common expressions are: "tal vez, quizás, es posible que, es probable que."
| Expresión | Ejemplo |
|---|---|
| Quizás | Quizás la hoja de reclamación no solucione el descontento de los clientes. (Perhaps the complaint form does not solve the customers' dissatisfaction.) |
| Tal vez | Tal vez la protesta termine con una crítica hacia la empresa. (Maybe the protest ends with a criticism towards the company.) |
| Es posible que | Es posible que el malestar de los clientes provoque más quejas en redes sociales. (It is possible that the discomfort of clients causes more complaints on social media.) |
| Es probable que | Es probable que la gente se lleve un disgusto por la insatisfacción general. (It is likely that people will get upset due to general dissatisfaction.) |
Exceptions!
- If the speaker considers that the probability is high, they can use the indicative instead of the subjunctive. Example with higher certainty: "Quizás la hoja de reclamación tiene algún efecto positivo."
Exercise 1: Present subjunctive: probability and hypothesis
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
sea, protesten, se quejen, lleven, provoque, solucione, expresen, lleve
Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
muestren
show
2
afecte
may affect
3
protesten
they protest
4
se quejen
they complain
