NOUN CLAUSES

PROPOSICIONES SUBORDINADAS SUSTANTIVAS

I.Noun Clauses as Direct Object/ Proposiciones subordinadas

sustantivas con función de Objeto Directo

The key to trigger the subjunctive in this type of clauses is the verb
(Vb) in the main clause. When this (Vb) in Spanish conveys the idea of
volition, uncertainty or feelings, we use subjunctive in the noun clause.
However, in English, subjunctive is used only when the (Vb) has the
semantic feature of volition.
These verbs of volition (or “verbos de influencia” in Spanish) denote
willpower. They mean wanting, demanding, preferring, wishing, ordering
or telling someone else to do something.
It is important to remember that the subject of the sentence will be
wishing that someone else be doing something. The person doing the
wishing will be separated from the wished-upon person by [that/que] in
most cases.
Summing up:

KEY = VERB IN THE MAIN CLAUSE

ENGLISH SPANISH
1.volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings

Let’s pay attention to the following examples:

1.Volition (Imposition of will) /Verbos de mandato, ruego, sugerencia1

a. I insist (K: volition) that he be (SUBJ) present.

1
En la gramática española, los verbos que expresan mandato, ruego o sugerencia
se suelen llamar también “verbos de influencia.”
 Insisto (K: verbo de mandato) en que esté (SUBJ) presente.

b.I want (K: volition) Meg to go out (non-finite)2 with me.

Quiero (verbo de mandato) que Meg salga (SUBJ) conmigo.

Let’s consider a more complex example:

She had regained consciousness, they said, but was sleeping. A kind nurse
suggested (K: volition) I go (SUBJ) home and get (SUBJ) some rest, too.3

Dijeron que ella había recuperado el conocimiento, pero que dormía. Una
amable enfermera sugirió (K: verbo de deseo) que me fuera (SUBJ) a casa y
descansara (SUBJ) también.

In this example, the subjunctive is shown in English by the use of the bare
infinitive. In this context there is no (A) because, as the verb in the main
clause has the component of volition, subjunctive is demanded.

2.Uncertainty/ Verbos de duda o incerteza

I doubt (K: uncertainty) that this was (IND) what he intended to say, but
since the phrase was his he could not dissent.4
Dudo (K: verbos de duda) que esto fuera (SUBJ) lo que él quería decir pero
como la frase era suya, él ahora no podía disentir.

Notice that unlike the examples under (1) where the subjunctive is
used only when the verb in the main clause expresses volition, in the
previous examples under (2) the indicative mood is used in English since the
(Vb) in the main clause expresses uncertainty.

Let’s compare the following examples expressing “uncertainty” on the one

hand and “certainty”, on the other.

-I don’t believe (K: uncertainty) such a conflict might repeat (IND) itself.
No creo (verbo de duda) que se pueda repetir (SUBJ) un conflicto así.

2
The verb to want is always followed by a to-infinitive (non-finite) in English; but, as
the verb in the main clause (want/querer) has the component of volition,
subjunctive is required in Spanish.
3
From: White, Stephen (2000). Manner of Death. New York: A Signet Book.
4
From: Bellow, Saul (1994). Dangling Man. London: Penguin Books Ltd.
-And I think (K: certainty) immigrants are (IND) very strong people.
Y creo (verbo de certeza) que los inmigrantes son (IND) personas muy fuertes.

As perceived in the examples given we use Indicative mood when verbs

convey the idea of either uncertainty or certainty in English; but we only use
subjunctive in Spanish in favour of uncertainty over certainty.

3.Feelings/ Verbos de afección

Verbos de afección En español, se los llama también verbos de sentimiento o de

reacción psíquica. Son los que expresan estados de ánimo: like/gustar;
appreciate/agradecer; worry/preocupar; annoy/fastidiar, entre otros.

“Even if you could only stay for a few days, I’d really appreciate (K: feelings)
if you could come and let me know what you think (IND).”5

-Aunque solo pudieras quedarte unos pocos días, realmente te agradecería (K:
verbo de afección) que pudieras venir y comentarme lo que piensas (SUBJ).

Same comments as before (only that the (Vb) in this example

expresses feelings).

Let’s analyze these examples:

1.I suggest (K: volition) that he should (MODAL as SUBJ marker) leave.

Or:

I suggest (K: volition) that he leave. (SUBJ)

Sugiero (K: verbo de influencia) que se vaya (Ø MODAL) (SUBJ)

2.I think (K: certainty) that he should (Mp) leave (IND).

Creo (Verbo de certeza) que debería (Mp) irse (IND).

5
From: Charles, Kate (1991). A Drink of Deadly Wine. New York: The Mysterious
Press.
 Notice the different value of should in both sentences. In the first one, as
suggest contains the feature of volition subjunctive is required, so the
modal is functioning just as a subjunctive marker.

On the other hand, the verb think in the second sentence lacks the feature
of volition; consequently, the modal preserves its meaning of modality
proper: advisability.

II.OTHER FUNCTIONS OF NOUN CLAUSES

These same components appear as justification for the use of

subjunctive in the three other functions of the noun clause: a) apposition,
b)adjectival complement and c)subjective complement.

II.1-Noun Clause in Apposition /Proposición subordinada sustantiva

como complemento de nombre

KEY: NOUN HEAD

ENGLISH SPANISH
1.Volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings

II.1.1 Volition

And in Tommy’s suggestion (K: volition) that Andy ask (SUBJ) his
solicitor´s help, there was fair indication of exactly what the detectives’ next
move would be.6

Y la sugerencia (K: mandato) de Tommy de que Andy llamara (SUBJ) a su

abogado indicaba claramente el próximo paso que darían los detectives.

As in both languages the feature of volition is present in the noun, the

mood in the apposition is subjunctive in English and Spanish.

II.1.2-Uncertainty

“You are saying Mrs. Lambert organized a wedding without any

assurance (K: uncertainty) that there was (IND) a bridegroom?”7

6
From: George, Elizabeth (2000). In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner. New York: Bantam
Books.
7
From: Perry, Anne (1998). Whited Sepulchres. London: Headline Book Publishing.
—¿Usted me está diciendo que la señora Lambert organizó un casamiento sin
la seguridad (K: duda) de que hubiera (SUBJ) novio?

This is a very interesting example. Assurance evidently lacks the

feature of uncertainty, but this is provided by without. Nevertheless, the
mood in English is indicative. The same happens in Spanish, uncertainty is
conveyed by sin. But, in this case (translated text) uncertainty requires
subjunctive.

II.1.3-Feelings

“I’d like to tell you all that I am not a good speaker, but I cannot let the
moment pass without expressing my gratitude to you all for coming, my
hope (K: feelings) that you are enjoying (IND) the reception. And I would
mainly like to say that I am very happy that my daughter, Elizabeth, is
marrying such a splendid man as Henry is. I am sure he will make her very
happy, and I can tell him that if she is as good a wife as she has been
8

a daughter, he will be a lucky man.”8

-Quisiera aclararles que no soy un buen conferenciante, pero no puedo dejar

pasar este momento sin expresarles mi gratitud por haber venido, mi deseo (K:
verbo de afección) de que estén disfrutando (SUBJ) de la reunión. (…)

In English the mood of the noun clause in apposition is Indicative, as the (K)
expresses feeling, while in Spanish the mood is subjunctive precisely for the
same reason.

II.2-Noun Clause as Adjectival Complement/ Proposición subordinada

sustantiva con función de complemento adjetival

KEY: ADJECTIVE HEAD

ENGLISH SPANISH
1.Volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings

8
From: Robards, Karen (1999). The Senator’s Wife. USA: A Dell Book.
 II.2.1-Volition

I was adamant (K: volition) that he be appointed (SUBJ).9

Me mantuve firme (K: influencia) en que fuera elegido (SUBJ).

It is very difficult to find examples in English to illustrate this type of

noun clause as very few adjectives have a feature of volition.

II.2.2-Uncertainty

Mr. Sandeman had promised to give any assistance he could, should Monk
ever need it. Monk was not sure (K: uncertainty) if he had spoken (IND)
impulsively, (…) but this seemed like an excellent time to put it to the
test.10

Mr. Sandeman había prometido ayudarlo si podía, en caso de que Monk

alguna vez lo necesitara. Monk no estaba seguro (K: duda) de que no hubiera
hablado (SUBJ) impulsivamente, (…) pero éste parecía el momento
adecuado para probarlo.

The mood is different in both languages. Check the previous chart and
you’ll find the reason.

II.2.3-Feelings

Let’s analyze the second part of one of the examples already provided:

“I’d like to tell you all that I am not a good speaker, but I cannot let the
moment pass without expressing my gratitude to you all for coming, my
hope that you are enjoying the reception. And I would mainly like to say
that I am very happy (K: feelings) that my daughter, Elizabeth, is
marrying such a splendid man as Henry is. I am sure he will make her
very happy, and I can tell him that if she is as good a wife as she has been a
daughter, he will be a lucky man.”

-(…) Y principalmente quisiera decirles que estoy muy contento (K: estado de
ánimo) de que mi hija, Elizabeth, se case (SUBJ) con un hombre tan
espléndido como Henry (…).

9
From: Quirk, R. Greenbaum, S. (1990). A University Grammar of English. London:
Longman.
10
Perry, Anne (1998). Whited Sepulchres. London: Headline Book Publishing.
 In English, once more, the mood is indicative because the feature of
volition is not present, but as the adjective expresses feelings, the mood is
subjunctive in Spanish.

Cf. the last part:

“(…) and I am sure (K: fact) he will make (IND) her very happy, and I can
tell him that if she is as good a wife as she has been a daughter, he will be a
lucky man.”

-(…) y estoy seguro (K: certeza) de que la hará (IND) muy feliz, y a él le
digo que si como esposa es tan buena como lo ha sido como hija, entonces
será muy afortunada.

Here the mood is indicative in both languages because all the features
that require subjunctive are missing.

II.3-Noun Clauses as Subjective Complement/ Proposición

subordinada sustantiva con función de atributo

KEY: SUBJECT

ENGLISH SPANISH
1.Volition (imposition of will) 1.Volition (imposition of will)
2.Ø 2.Uncertainty
3.Ø 3.Feelings

II.3.1-Volition

When Sasha latched onto that particular question of economic prostitution,

the suggestion (K: volition) was that she accompany (SUBJ) several
government officials to the city morgue to take a look for herself at the
result of a lack of realpolitik.11

Cuando logró captar el significado de la prostitución como medio rentable de

vida, la sugerencia (K: sugerencia) fue que acompañara (SUBJ) a varios
funcionarios del gobierno a la morgue de la ciudad para comprobar por
ella misma el resultado de la falta de una política realista.

The use of the bare infinitive accompany destroys any possible ambiguity.

11
Victor, Barbara (1993). Friends, Lovers, Enemies. USA: Ballantine Books.
II.3.2 Uncertainty
My doubt (K: uncertainty) is that this was (IND) what he intended to say.
Mi duda (duda o incerteza) es que esto fuera (SUBJ) lo que él había querido
decir.

II.3.3-Feelings

Harrigan’s hope (K: feelings) was that, with Debray and the audio tape,
he’d have(IND) enough newly discovered evidence to file a motion to
reopen Ashbourne’s habeas hearing.12 (SC)

El deseo/La esperanza (estado de ánimo) de Harrigan era que, con Debray y

el video, tuviera (SUBJ) la suficiente cantidad de nuevas pruebas como
para reabrir la causa de Ashbourne.

Notice the semantic equivalence of noun clauses as direct object,

apposition, adjectival complement and subjective complement:

Harrigan deseaba / esperaba (K: verbo de afección) que, con Debray y el

video, tuviera (SUBJ) la suficiente cantidad de nuevas pruebas como para
reabrir la causa de Ashbourne. (DO)

Harrigan tenía la esperanza (K: deseo) de que, con Debray y el video, tuviera
(SUBJ) la suficiente cantidad de nuevas pruebas como para reabrir la
causa de Ashbourne. (APPOSITION)

Harrigan estaba deseoso/ esperanzado (K: estado de ánimo) de que, con

Debray y el video, tuviera (SUBJ) la suficiente cantidad de nuevas pruebas
como para reabrir la causa de Ashbourne. (ADJECTIVAL
COMPLEMENT).

CO-REFERENT SUBJECT
It is important to point out before ending this document that, when the
subject is co-referent in both clauses, we replace the noun clause by an
infinitival phrase in Spanish.

“Christ, stop apologizing,” he said roughly. “I’m sorry I made you talk
about her.”13

12
Blum, Bill (1997). The Last Appeal. USA: An Onix Book.
13
Johansen, Iris (1988). The Face of Deception. New York: Bantam Books.
-Por Dios, deje de disculparse —dijo con aspereza—. (yo) Lamento (yo)
haberlo hecho hablar de ella.

The infinitive in Spanish triggers the idea of subjunctive (hypothetical

meaning).
But what happens if we completely omit the subject (yo) in the translation?

-(…)Lamento que (Ø) lo haya hecho hablar de ella.

In this case, the Spanish reader would understand that someone else “made
you talk about her.”

BIBLIOGRAFÍA

Di Pietro, Robert J. (1976). Language Structures in Contrast. Massachusetts:

Newbury House Publishers. First published 1971.
Di Tullio, Angela (1997). Manual de Gramática del Español. Buenos Aires:
Edicial S.A.
García, María Pilar (1994). La oración compuesta en español. Estructura y
nexos. Madrid: Editorial Verbum S.L.
Greenbaun, S. and Randolph Quirk (1990). A Student’s Grammar of the
English Language. UK: Longman.
James, Karl (1980). Contrastive Analysis. Harlow: Longman.
Viñas Urquiza, María Teresa (2006). Ambiguity Keys. English and Spanish. Part
1-Subjunctive. Buenos Aires: Editorial Dunken.