Indicative mode
The indicative mood will convey a certain and real action. The person expresses a position of certainty and security, expressing the action with precision. This tense uses elements that show that the expression will happen or has already happened, presenting a possible verbal action that has been implemented. There are primitive verb tenses, that is, they are the verb tenses that already exist in Latin, they are: the present tense, the past perfect tense of the indicative and the impersonal infinitive are primitive verb tenses. It is from these three verb tenses that the other verb tenses are formed, and are called derived verb tenses:
Imperfect tense of the indicative : verb tense derived from the impersonal infinitive.
Present indicative : primitive tense.
Pluperfect indicative past tense: verb tense derived from the indicative past perfect tense.
Past perfect tense : primitive tense.
Future tense of the indicative : verb tense derived from the impersonal infinitive.
Future tense : tense derived from the impersonal infinitive.
Ex. “Yesterday I got a new bag.” – expresses a verbal action that really happened.
“We are going to watch a movie tomorrow.”- expresses the idea of concretizing the verbal action in the future.
Within the indicative verb mood, you can make use of several verb tenses such as: Present , Past imperfect, Past perfect, Past perfect , Past pluperfect , Past pluperfect compound , Future present , Future present Compound , Future Past , Future Past Compound .
The subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood conveys an action that may or may not happen. It presents the idea of an uncertain action, which has not yet been performed and which is dependent on another action or other variables. The issuer presents a position of doubt, exposing the action with imprecision, or an action with a hypothetical character, since it is a possibility that depends on other variables to happen. Its extreme dependence on another verb is the main characteristic of the subjunctive mood. It usually appears in subordinate clauses, where its use is linked to the meaning intended to be given to the verbal action.
There are primitive verb tenses and derived verb tenses, the primitive ones refer to verb tenses that already exist in Latin; derivatives are all the others that are formed from the three primitive verb tenses:
Imperfect subjunctive : verb tense derived from the past perfect indicative.
Future subjunctive : verb tense derived from the past perfect indicative.
Present subjunctive : verb tense derived from the present indicative.
Ex. “If Fernanda came now, we could solve this matter quickly.”- expresses the idea that an action depends on another action, that is, it imposes something not yet accomplished. In other words, the “issue” can only be resolved, if the action of “coming” happens.
Differences
Now that we know what both consist of, what are the differences between the indicative and subjunctive mood? We have already been able to see the clearest one, and that is that while the first expresses specific actions, acts and times, the second is hypothetical, highlighting a desire or possibility.
- In addition, there are other important differences. For example, the indicative usually expresses truth, while the subjunctive expresses feeling, doubt, hope, etc. For example: Mario had a great time in front of Hope Mario had a good time . Differences between indicative and subjunctive mood
- The indicative is used in affirmative speeches, while the subjunctive is used in negatives. It seems to me that Mario is having fun in front of I don’t think Mario is having fun .
- The indicative mood is used when the action is regular or has occurred, while the subjunctive is normally used if it has not yet taken place: Mario waited until you came in front of Mario should wait until you come .
- The indicative also serves to express concretions, people with particular characteristics, while the subjunctive does not specify, although it can express special characteristics: Mario is looking for Paco to fix his bicycle in front of Mario, he would like to find someone to fix your bike .
