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Originally Posted by aleCcowaN
The subjunctive tangle were every English speaker seems to be swamped; a really hard nut to crack.
Emotion and subjunctive are not closely related, more related than emotion and indicative. The King's statement is just a proposition, then it contains the verb performing the actual action it is proposed: ¿Por qué no subes la calefacción? ¿Por qué mejor no salimos a bailar esta noche? ¿¡Por qué no te callas!? Exasperation is expressed here by tone.
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Hi, Alec
Thanks for your reply.
Concerning the tie between "emotion" and the "subjunctive...I might try these two expressions:
"Gee, I wish it was six o'clock, so I can leave the office." (Indicative mood)
"What a lucky so-and-so! I wish I were rich too!" (Subjunctive mood, especially since it's contrary to fact...)
Admittedly, I don't have a strong case, but there it is.
Concerning the King: seems to me that the source of the King's exasperation, the thing that was propelling his outburst, was a “wish,” or “desire” (that Chavez shut up…)
That kind of wish or desire often takes the subjunctive: as in the standard examples, “long live America, “heaven forbid,” “may he live to be a hundred,” etc.
Or, in other words:
A simple question to Chavez –“Don’t you have any manners; why don’t you pipe down?” That would be indicative.
But, a question to Chavez that’s driven by emotion – “Could you be any more of a nuisance? – Why don’t you just shut up!?” -- seems to me subjunctive.
Just thinking out loud…
Best,
--E.D.