intentar triggering subjunctive

Ashlyn T.A1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

intentar triggering subjunctive

under this section, the quiz showed a question as below.

Estoy intentando que ellos nos ________ una oportunidad.

i am not sure why does intentar trigger subjunctive.

is this because it contains uncertainty? so if im using other similar verbs such as probar or whatever scenario of trying to do something, i will need to use subjunctive?

Asked 2 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Ashlyn 

Intentar is considered a "verb of influence" in Spanish, so it triggers the subjunctive if there are two different subjects:

Estoy intentando tener una oportunidad.

I'm trying to have an oportunity.

(infinitive as the subject is the same - yo)

Estoy intentando que ellos nos den una oportunidad.

I'm trying  that they give me an oportunity. (=persuading them to give me)

(subjunctive as two different subjects: yo estoy intentando / ellos nos den) 

Other verbs of influence are for example hacer que... or ordenar que...:

Ellos están haciendo que me sienta mal.

They are making me feel bad.

Mi jefa me ordena que hable con el cliente.

My boss is asking me to talk to the client. 

I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Ashlyn T. asked:

intentar triggering subjunctive

under this section, the quiz showed a question as below.

Estoy intentando que ellos nos ________ una oportunidad.

i am not sure why does intentar trigger subjunctive.

is this because it contains uncertainty? so if im using other similar verbs such as probar or whatever scenario of trying to do something, i will need to use subjunctive?

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