Verb Mood and Voice in Spanish

When we think about the properties that verbs might have, chances are that the first property that comes to mind is its tense: Does it refer to actions in the past, present or future? But verbs also have two other grammatical properties that are important to understanding how they are used: their mood and their voice. The mood of a verb (sometimes called the mode of a verb) is a property that relates to how the person using the verb feels about its factuality or likelihood; the distinction is made much more often in Spanish than it is in English. The voice of a verb has more to do with the grammatical structure of the sentence in which it is used in and refers to the connection between a verb and its subject or object. The three moods: Both English and Spanish have three verb moods: The indicative mood is the normal verb form used in everyday statements. In a sentence such as I see the dog (Veo el perro), the verb is in the indicative mood.The subjunctive mood is used in many statements that are contrary to fact, are hoped for or are in doubt. This mood is by far more common in Spanish, since it has mostly disappeared in English. An example of the subjunctive in English is the verb in the phrase if I were rich (si fuera rico in Spanish), which refers to a contrary-to-fact condition. The subjunctive is also used in a sentence such as I request that my pseudonym be published (pido que se publique mi seudà ³nimo), which indicates a type of desire.The imperative mood is used to give direct commands. The short sentence Leave! ( ¡Sal tà º!) is in the imperative mood. More about the subjunctive mood: Because it is so frequently necessary in Spanish yet unfamiliar to English speakers, the subjunctive mood is an endless source of confusion for many Spanish students. Here are some lessons that will guide you through its usage: Introduction to the subjunctive mood: This lesson gives examples of when the subjunctive mood is used and compares them with sentences in the indicative mood. In the mood: A more detailed list of examples where the subjunctive mood is used. Tenses of the subjunctive mood: Tenses in the subjunctive mood are seldom intuitive. Conjugation of the subjunctive mood. Future subjunctive: The future subjunctive is very rare in Spanish and is archaic in most uses, but it does exist. Subordinate conjunctions: Verbs in dependent clauses are often in the subjunctive mood. Translating might: Sentences translating the English auxiliary verb might often use a clause in the subjunctive mood. I dont believe ...: The negative form of the verb creer (to believe) is typically followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. Ways of making requests: The imperative and subjunctive moods arent as distinct in Spanish as they are in English, and the subjunctive is often used to make requests. Sentence structure a nd the subjunctive: Although the subjunctive usually isnt used to refer to actual, real events, it can be when the structure of the sentence so requires. Statements of necessity: Verb phrases such as es necesario que (it is necessary that) are generally followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. Statements of fear: These are sometimes followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. Use with opinar: Although the subjunctive mood is usually used in giving opinions, it usually isnt used with opinar. More about the imperative mood: The imperative mood is used for making direct commands or requests, but it is far from the only way to ask that someone do something. These lessons look at the different ways of making requests: Direct commands. Making requests without using the imperative mood. Making polite requests. Active and passive voice: The voice of a verb depends primarily on the structure of a sentence. Verbs used in a normal fashion, in which the subject of the sentence is performing the action of the verb, are in the active voice. An example of a sentence in the active voice is Sandi bought a car (Sandi comprà ³ un coche). When the passive voice is used, the subject of the sentence is acted on by the verb; the person or thing performing the action of the verb isnt always specified. An example of a sentence in the passive voice is The car was bought by Sandi (El coche fue comprado por Sandi). In both languages, a past participle (bought and comprado) is used to form the passive voice. It is important to note that, while common in English, the passive voice isnt used as much in Spanish. A common reason for using the passive voice is to avoid stating who or what is performing the action of a verb. In Spanish, that same goal can be accomplished by using verbs reflexively.