Modern Spanish Grammar: A Practical Guide

EXPRESSING CERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY 49.2Quizá(s) and tal vez, ‘perhaps’, can be followed by an indicative or subjunctive verb,with the subjunctive being used when there is a greater degree of doubt. But note that ifthe event or action referred to has not yet occurred, you normally use the futureindicative or the present subjunctive rather than the present indicative. A lo mejor,‘perhaps’, is always followed by an indicative verb. These three expressions can also beused on their own. 48.1.6 (p. 285); 18.3.3 (p. 92)Quizá(s)/tal vez regresen la semana que viene or Quizá(s)/tal vezregresarán la próxima semana.Perhaps they’ll come back next week.A lo mejor regresan/regresarán la próxima semana.Perhaps they’ll come back next week.¿Cree usted que lo encontraremos?Do you think we’ll find it?A lo mejor/quizá(s)/tal vez.Perhaps.49.1.4Negative certaintyTo express negative certainty, use the following expressions:No ‘no’Por supuesto que no ‘of course not’Claro que no ‘of course not’Desde luego que no ‘of course not’No me parece ‘I don’t think so’¿Devolverán el dinero?Will they return the money?Por supuesto que no.Of course not.¿Crees que se casarán?Do you think they’ll get married?Claro que no.Of course not.¿Cree usted que venderán el piso?Do you think they will sell the flat?No me parece.I don’t think so.49.2Enquiring about certainty or uncertainty294To enquire about certainty or uncertainty, Spanish normally uses the followingexpressions:¿Está usted/estás (completamente) seguro/a?Are you (absolutely) sure?