Introduction
Learning Spanish grammar can be challenging, especially when dealing with expressions that seem similar but have subtle yet important differences. Two phrases that frequently confuse English-speaking learners are es posible que and es probable que. While both expressions discuss likelihood and possibility, they function differently in Spanish sentences and require different grammatical structures. Understanding the distinction between these two phrases is crucial for speaking and writing Spanish correctly. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the common mistakes learners make with es posible que and es probable que, explain the proper usage of each expression, and provide practical examples to help you master these important Spanish constructions.
Understanding the Basic Difference
What Do These Expressions Mean?
Before diving into the mistakes, it is essential to understand what each expression means in English. Es posible que translates to it is possible that, while es probable que translates to it is likely that or it is probable that. Both expressions convey uncertainty about whether something will happen or is true. However, they differ in the degree of likelihood they express. Es posible que suggests a lower degree of certainty, while es probable que suggests a higher degree of likelihood, though still not certainty.
Understanding this distinction is the first step toward using these expressions correctly. Many English speakers make the mistake of treating these phrases as if they were interchangeable, but Spanish grammar rules require different structures for each one.
The Role of Mood in Spanish Grammar
The most critical aspect of using es posible que and es probable que correctly involves understanding the subjunctive mood in Spanish. Both expressions are followed by the subjunctive mood, not the indicative mood. This is where many learners make their most common mistakes. The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt, uncertainty, possibility, or hypothetical situations. The indicative mood, by contrast, is used to describe facts or things that are certain or probable in the speaker’s mind.
When you use es posible que or es probable que, you are inherently introducing doubt or uncertainty, which automatically requires the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows.
Common Mistakes Explained
Mistake 1: Using the Indicative Mood Instead of the Subjunctive
The most frequent error made by English speakers learning Spanish involves using the indicative mood after es posible que or es probable que. This happens because English does not have a subjunctive mood equivalent to Spanish, so learners tend to write or speak as they would in English.
Here is an incorrect example:
Incorrect: Es posible que Juan es ingeniero.
Correct: Es posible que Juan sea ingeniero.
In the incorrect version, the learner uses the indicative form es (he is). In the correct version, we use the subjunctive form sea (he may be). Both sentences translate to it is possible that Juan is an engineer, but only the second follows proper Spanish grammar rules.
Another example with es probable que:
Incorrect: Es probable que llueve mañana.
Correct: Es probable que llueva mañana.
The incorrect version uses llueve (it rains), which is indicative. The correct version uses llueva (it may rain), which is subjunctive. In English, we might say it is likely that it rains tomorrow, but Spanish requires the subjunctive form.
Mistake 2: Confusing the Subjunctive Forms
Another common mistake occurs when learners attempt to use the subjunctive but conjugate the verb incorrectly. This often happens because the subjunctive mood has different conjugation patterns than the indicative, and learners may not be familiar with these patterns yet.
Consider this example:
Incorrect: Es posible que ellos vienen esta noche.
Correct: Es posible que ellos vengan esta noche.
The incorrect version uses vienen, which is the indicative present tense third-person plural form. The correct version uses vengan, which is the subjunctive present tense third-person plural form. While both versions might sound reasonable to an English speaker, Spanish grammar requires the subjunctive.
Mistake 3: Not Using the Subjunctive When a Specific Pronoun Is Mentioned
Some learners make the mistake of thinking that using the subjunctive is optional if they mention a specific person or action. This is incorrect. Es posible que and es probable que always require the subjunctive, regardless of whether the clause specifies a particular person or event.
Here is an example:
Incorrect: Es probable que María gana el premio.
Correct: Es probable que María gane el premio.
Even though we are talking about a specific person, María, we must still use the subjunctive form gane rather than the indicative gana. The certainty expressed by the subject does not change the grammatical requirement for the subjunctive mood.
The Distinction Between Es Posible Que and Es Probable Que
Degree of Certainty
While both es posible que and es probable que require the subjunctive mood, there is an important distinction between them in terms of the degree of certainty they express. Es posible que suggests a lower likelihood, while es probable que suggests a higher likelihood. Think of es posible que as it might happen and es probable que as it is likely to happen.
Example with es posible que:
Es posible que haya un examen sorpresa mañana.
(It is possible that there might be a surprise exam tomorrow.)
Example with es probable que:
Es probable que haya un examen la próxima semana.
(It is likely that there will be an exam next week.)
In the first example, using es posible que suggests the exam is just a small possibility. In the second example, using es probable que suggests the exam is fairly likely to occur based on the speaker’s knowledge or expectations.
Choosing the Right Expression
Selecting between es posible que and es probable que depends on how confident you are about the likelihood of something occurring. If you want to express that something might happen but you are not very confident about it, use es posible que. If you want to express that something is more likely to happen, use es probable que.
Here are some scenarios:
Scenario 1: You are not sure if your friend will come to the party, but you think there is a slight chance.
Use: Es posible que mi amigo venga a la fiesta.
Scenario 2: You are fairly confident your friend will come to the party based on previous conversations.
Use: Es probable que mi amigo venga a la fiesta.
Both sentences use the subjunctive form venga, but the choice between the two expressions affects the overall meaning and tone of what you are trying to communicate.
Practical Examples and Practice
Complete Sentences Using Es Posible Que
Here are several correct examples using es posible que:
Es posible que tengamos que trabajar el fin de semana.
(It is possible that we might have to work on the weekend.)
Es posible que ella no sepa la respuesta.
(It is possible that she might not know the answer.)
Es posible que se cancele la reunión por razones técnicas.
(It is possible that the meeting might be canceled due to technical reasons.)
Es posible que encontremos una solución mañana.
(It is possible that we might find a solution tomorrow.)
Complete Sentences Using Es Probable Que
Here are several correct examples using es probable que:
Es probable que lleguemos tarde al evento.
(It is likely that we will arrive late to the event.)
Es probable que el proyecto se complete a tiempo.
(It is likely that the project will be completed on time.)
Es probable que necesites ayuda con esto.
(It is likely that you will need help with this.)
Es probable que haga buen tiempo el próximo fin de semana.
(It is likely that the weather will be nice next weekend.)
Common Subjunctive Verbs to Remember
When using es posible que and es probable que, you will frequently use certain verbs in the subjunctive form. Memorizing these common conjugations will help you avoid mistakes. Here are some frequently used verbs in the subjunctive:
ser (to be): sea, seas, seamos, seáis, sean
estar (to be): esté, estés, estemos, estéis, estén
haber (to have): haya, hayas, hayamos, hayáis, hayan
tener (to have): tenga, tengas, tengamos, tengáis, tengan
hacer (to do): haga, hagas, hagamos, hagáis, hagan
ir (to go): vaya, vayas, vayamos, vayáis, vayan
venir (to come): venga, vengas, vengamos, vengáis, vengan
poder (to be able): pueda, puedas, podamos, podáis, puedan
Familiarizing yourself with these conjugations will make it easier to use es posible que and es probable que correctly in conversation and writing.
Avoiding Other Related Mistakes
Remember the Que Conjunction
Another mistake some learners make is forgetting to include the word que between the expression and the subjunctive clause. Es posible que and es probable que always require que to connect them to the following clause. Without que, the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect.
Incorrect: Es posible llover mañana.
Correct: Es posible que llueva mañana.
The que is essential and cannot be omitted under any circumstances.
Subjunctive vs. Infinitive Considerations
It is important to note that es posible and es probable used without a specific subject can sometimes be followed by an infinitive instead of a subjunctive clause. However, when you introduce a subject with que, you must use the subjunctive.
Infinitive form: Es posible llover mañana. (It is possible to rain tomorrow.)
Subjunctive form: Es posible que llueva mañana. (It is possible that it will rain tomorrow.)
The infinitive form is less common and sounds awkward in this context. The subjunctive form with a subject is the preferred and standard way to express this idea in Spanish.
Conclusion
Mastering the correct usage of es posible que and es probable que is an important step in your Spanish learning journey. The key to avoiding common mistakes is remembering that both expressions require the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows. While es posible que suggests a lower degree of likelihood and es probable que suggests a higher degree of likelihood, they both function grammatically in the same way by demanding subjunctive conjugation. By understanding the subjunctive mood, practicing the correct verb conjugations, and consistently applying these rules in your speaking and writing, you will eliminate the mistakes that many English speakers make with these expressions. Continue to practice with native Spanish materials, engage in conversation with Spanish speakers, and review subjunctive conjugations regularly to internalize these patterns and use es posible que and es probable que with confidence and accuracy.
