Cleft sentences are a great way to add emphasis and highlight specific information in Spanish. But choosing between the indicative and subjunctive mood in these structures can be tricky for learners. Don’t worry, this guide will clear up the confusion!
Understanding Cleft Sentences
First things first, what exactly is a cleft sentence? It’s simply a sentence split into two parts, each with its own verb, to put the focus on a particular element. In Spanish, you’ll encounter cleft sentences like these:
- “Es… que…” (It is… that…)
- “Lo que… es…” (What… is…)
- “El/La que…” (The one who/that…)
When to Use the Indicative
The indicative mood is your go-to when the information you’re emphasizing is known, factual, or certain. Think of it as stating a reality or a simple fact.
Examples:
- Es María quien canta en el coro. (It is María who sings in the choir.)
- Lo que necesitamos es más tiempo. (What we need is more time.)
- El que llegó tarde fue Pedro. (The one who arrived late was Pedro.)
When to Use the Subjunctive
Use the subjunctive mood in cleft sentences when the emphasized information is unknown, uncertain, or hypothetical. It expresses possibility, not certainty.
Examples:
- Sea quien sea el que cante, lo hará bien. (Whoever sings, they will do it well.)
- Lo que sea que necesitemos, lo conseguiremos. (Whatever we need, we will get it.)
- El que llegue primero, que avise a los demás. (Whoever arrives first should notify the others.)
Side-by-Side Comparisons
Let’s see the difference in action with these contrasting pairs:
- Indicative: Es Juan quien tiene la llave. (It’s Juan who has the key.)
- Subjunctive: Sea quien sea quien tenga la llave, necesitamos encontrarla. (Whoever has the key, we need to find it.)
- Indicative: Lo que quiero es un helado. (What I want is an ice cream.)
- Subjunctive: Lo que quiera que me regales, lo apreciaré. (Whatever you choose to give me, I’ll appreciate it.)
- Indicative: El que ganó la carrera fue el corredor español. (The one who won the race was the Spanish runner.)
- Subjunctive: El que gane la carrera representará al país en las olimpiadas. (Whoever wins the race will represent the country in the Olympics.)
Additional Tips
- Future Events: Even when talking about the future, use the indicative if the outcome is certain or planned:
- Es mañana cuando llegarán los invitados. (It’s tomorrow when the guests will arrive.)
- Negative Statements: Be careful! The mood can change the meaning in negative cleft sentences.
- No es que no quiera ir contigo. (It’s not that I don’t want to go with you.) [Indicative: stating a fact]
- No es que no quiera ir contigo. (It’s not as if I didn’t want to go with you.) [Subjunctive: hypothetical situation]
- Degree of Certainty Matters: How sure you are about something influences your choice.
- Creo que es ella quien tiene razón. (I think it’s her who is right.) [Indicative: relative certainty]
- No creo que sea ella quien tenga razón. (I don’t think it’s her who is right.) [Subjunctive: doubt]
Conclusion
Mastering the use of indicative and subjunctive in cleft sentences adds a layer of sophistication to your Spanish. You’ll be able to express your level of certainty or uncertainty clearly. So, keep practicing and you’ll soon be using cleft sentences like a native speaker!