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  THE SUBJUNCTIVE-INDICATIVE DISTINCTION (S/I)  
 
  SUBJUNCTIVE-INDICATIVE IN NOUN CLAUSES  
 
  • A Noun Clause is a [subordinate clause] that has the grammatical function of a noun, serving as the subject* or the direct object** of a sentence.
    • Eso* es evidente.→Es evidente [que todos quieren salir ahora]*.
    • Lo** creo.→Creo [que la escuela está muy cerca]**.
  • The verb of the noun clause is conjugated in the indicative or the subjunctive, depending on the presence or absence of a subjunctive "trigger" in the main clause. See rules and examples below.
 
  I. THEINDICATIVE IN NOUN CLAUSES  
 
  • The noun clause verb will be indicative if speaker affirms or perceives the content of the noun clause, or expresses the belief that the content of the noun clause is true, without expressing a reaction to it. (see IIA below):
    • Creo que Juan habla inglés. I think that Juan speaks English.
    • Es verdad que nadie está de acuerdo. It's true that nobody agrees.
    • Se nota que algunos no saben leer. It is noted that some don't know to read.
  
  IIA. Main Clause Element Triggering Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Reactions  
 
  • The verb of a noun clause will be subjunctive if the main clause expresses a reaction to the content of the noun clause; this includes expressions of emotion or value judgement.
    • Es bueno que Alicia vaya conmigo. It's good that Alicia is going with me.
    • Me alegro de que todos quieran participar. I'm glad everyone wants to participate.
    • Nos gusta que tú aceptes la idea. We like it that you accept the idea.
    • Es lógico que tú hables español muy bien, porque eres de España. It's logical that you speak Spanish very well, because you're from Spain.
  
  IIB. Main Clause Element Triggering Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: Doubt, Denial, Uncertainty  
 
  • The verb of a noun clause will be subjunctive if the main clause contains an expression of doubt, denial, uncertainty, non-assertion or non-affirmation:
    • Dudo que ella hable mejor que tú. I doubt that she speaks better than you.
    • Es posible que se cancele la reunión. It's possible that the meeting will be canceled.
    • El camarero niega que sus amigos salgan sin pagar. The waiter denies that his friends leave without paying.
    • No es verdad que el presidente venga hoy. It's not true that the presidente is coming today.
    • No estamos seguros que haya comida suficiente. We're not sure that there's enough food.
    • No decimos que ellos sean los mejores candidatos. We don't say that they're the best candidates.
  
  IIC. Main Clause Element Triggering Subjunctive in Noun Clauses: An Attempt to Influence  
 
  • The verb of a noun clause will be subjunctive if the main clause reports an attempt to influence (bring about) the event of the subordinate clause.1
    • Te recomiendo que leas el primer capítulo. I recommend that you read the first chapter.
    • Papá siempre nos dice2 que hagamos los quehaceres. Dad always tells us to do the chores.
    • Es necesario que todos entendamos estas ideas. It's necessary that we all understand these ideas.
    • Les voy a pedir que entreguen la tarea hoy. I'm going to ask them to turn the assignment in today.
 
  1. Other common verbs of this type: aconsejar (advise), dejar (allow), desear (want), esperar (hope), exigir (demand), insistir, mandar (order), permitir, preferir, prohibir, querer, recomendar, sugerir (suggest)
  2. Verbs of communication such as decir and escribir will take the subjunctive when communicating an order, indicative if simply communicating information:
    • Le digo a Pedro que deje de cantar. I tell (order) Pedro to stop singing.
    • Le digo a Pedro que me molesta cuando él canta. I tell (inform) Pedro that it bothers me when he sings.
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