Unit 188 Guidebook: use modals, use the subjunctive

KEY PHRASES

Use modals

Para ti debe haber sido útil aprender a bucear.
For you, it must have been useful learning to scuba dive.
A fin de cuentas, debes haber jugado bien.
In the end, you must have played well.
Qué lástima, parecía que iban a ganar.
What a shame, it looked like they were going to win.
Sí, debe haber sido triste no conseguir la victoria.
Yes, it must have been sad not getting the victory.
No corrí mucho, pero me cansé igual.
I didn't run much, but I still got tired.
No tenías energía, debes haber dormido mal.
You didn't have any energy, you must have slept badly.
TIP

Let’s talk about the Subjunctive!​

The subjunctive is used to talk about things that are subjective or uncertain, so you'll need to use it in phrases that express desire, possibility, or doubt!​​​​​

Prefiero que mis hijos estudien en casa.
​Te pido que vengas a verme.

Notice how you'll use the subjunctive when expressing doubt, but the regular present tense when expressing certainty.​​​​​

Es posible que ella vaya a tu fiesta.
Es cierto que ella va a muchas fiestas.
No creo que ella esté durmiendo.
​Creo que ella está trabajando.