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When you are making statements within a context of argumentation
or critical thinking, it necessary to use certain linguistic structures.
One of the common structures is the "impersonal noun clause",
which frequently calls for the subjunctive
mood. Another is the hypothetical imperative (if a then
b). This structure calls for the indicative mood in all cases.
Yet another is the contrary to fact hypothetical, which calls for
the imperfect subjunctive and conditional tenses.
Examples:
Impersonal noun clause with subjunctive
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Es
común que los niños se rebelen contra sus padres. |
Hypothetical imperative with indicative
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Si
los padres no mantienen la disciplina, los niños resultan más
problemáticos en la sociedad y en la escuela. |
Contrary to fact hypothetical with imperfect subj. & conditional
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Si
la clase alta no les hubiera robado tanto a las otras clases,
no tendríamos tantas guerras. |
Let's discuss the impersonal noun clause first. Impersonal
noun clauses always call for the subjunctive unless the adjective
expresses: truth, certainty.
Impersonal noun clauses can be classified into three groups for
the purpose of critical thinking:
- Descriptive statements about reality:
Es típico que, Es común que, Es raro que, Es inevitable que, Es
imposible que, etc. these all call for subjunctive mood.
Es cierto que, es verdad que require the indicative.
- Prescriptive statements referring to reality:
Es importante que, Es necesario que, Es preciso que,
etc.
We can also include other independent clause structures such as
those that express Will: Les recomiendo que, Les prohibo que,
Les aconsejo que
- Evaluative statements describing an attitude or reaction
(moral or aesthetic)
Es bueno que, Es malo que, Es triste que, Es horrible que,
Es interesante que, etc.
Notice that the Impersonal Noun Clause has a very mysterious "It"
that is the main subject. It refers to the source of authority in
the statement. Rather than saying:
- Descriptive Claims "I have seen lots of disobedient
children become criminals" >> "It is common for
disobedient children to become criminals" (anecdotal or empircal
generalization)
- Prescriptive Claims "I think you should do that"
>> "It's necessary that you do that." (Moral/Aesthetic
imperative)
- Evaluative/subjective Claims "I don't like it that
you think this way." >> "It's bad that you think
this way." (Subjective reaction)
This statement adds the APPEARANCE of added authority to your statement
by removing you from the recommendation, description or evaluation.
Notice
that each statement carries with it an implied type of support that
will aid in defending your statement.
- Descriptive Claims "Studies show that..." (statistical
sources can be strong support) or "Every case that I have
seen..." (anecdotal arguments tend to be very weak from a
logical perspective) The subjunctive is not typically necessary
in such statements. However, some form of research is needed to
avoid making sweeping generalizations based on a few personal
experiences.
- Prescriptive Claims "The law says that..."
"The Bible/Koran says that..." "My parents told
me that...." "The book says that..." "If you
do a, the b will result" These statements
do not typically require the subjunctive unless stated in such
a way that the dependent clause acts as a command: "my parents
always told me not to disobey them." "Mis padres me
decían que no los desobedeciera yo."
- Evaluative Claims "It makes me angry when...."
"People who do x are really y." The
subjunctive is not needed for these types of remarks either, unless
stated in this form: Me ofende que no tengan pan ni tierra.
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