Spanish grammar
Probability: puede que / es probable que + subjunctive; seguramente, probablemente; igual + indicative
Guess how likely something is: puede que, es probable que, seguramente, probablemente, igual.
From the scene Puede que esté en Panamá (It may be in Panama)
In short
Puede que and es probable que take the subjunctive. Seguramente takes either; igual (maybe, Spain) takes the indicative.
Your turn
Which one goes with they'll probably bring it to the house?
Options: puede que esté en Panamá · seguramente llegará en dos días · es probable que la traigan a la casa
Show answer
they'll probably bring it to the house → es probable que la traigan a la casa
How it works
Puede que and es probable que always take the subjunctive (puede que esté).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Es probable que la (blank) directamente a la casa.
Options: traigan · traen · traerán
Show answer
Es probable que la traigan directamente a la casa.
They'll probably bring it straight to the house.
Good to know
Seguramente and probablemente take the indicative or the subjunctive: the subjunctive sounds less sure.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Es probable que me lo (blank). Es mi futura suegra.
Clue: yo (Nuria)
Options: pongo · pondré · ponga
Show answer
Es probable que me lo ponga. Es mi futura suegra.
I'll probably wear it. She's my future mother-in-law.
Good to know
In Spain, igual (= maybe) takes the indicative (igual está); in Colombia people say de pronto instead.
it may be in Panama puede que esté en Panamá
Nuria
¿Dónde estará mi maleta? Puede que esté en Panamá.
Where can my suitcase be? It may be in Panama.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿Dónde estará mi maleta? (blank).
Options: Puede que esté en Panamá · Es probable que la traigan a la casa · Seguramente llegará en dos días
Show answer
Nuria
¿Dónde estará mi maleta? Puede que esté en Panamá.
Where can my suitcase be? It may be in Panama.
they'll probably bring it to the house es probable que la traigan a la casa
Your turn
What goes with es probable que la traigan a la casa?
Options: they'll probably bring it to the house · it may be in Panama · it'll most likely arrive in two days
Show answer
es probable que la traigan a la casa → they'll probably bring it to the house
it'll most likely arrive in two days seguramente llegará en dos días
it's probably going round the world probablemente esté dando la vuelta al mundo
Your turn
What goes with probablemente esté dando la vuelta al mundo?
Options: they'll probably bring it to the house · it's probably going round the world · it may be in Panama
Show answer
probablemente esté dando la vuelta al mundo → it's probably going round the world
maybe it's still in Madrid (Spain / Colombia) igual está en Madrid / de pronto llega mañana
Javi
¿"Igual"? Aquí decimos "de pronto". De pronto llega mañana.
"Igual"? Here we say "de pronto". Maybe it'll come tomorrow.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¿"Igual"? Aquí decimos "de pronto". (blank).
Options: Puede que esté en Panamá · Es probable que la traigan a la casa · De pronto llega mañana
Show answer
Javi
¿"Igual"? Aquí decimos "de pronto". De pronto llega mañana.
"Igual"? Here we say "de pronto". Maybe it'll come tomorrow.
Common mistake
Not esté or estuviera here. Spain: igual = maybe.
O igual está todavía en Madrid, en la cinta.
Or maybe it's still in Madrid, on the belt.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| it may be in Panama | puede que esté en Panamá |
|---|---|
| they'll probably bring it to the house | es probable que la traigan a la casa |
| it'll most likely arrive in two days | seguramente llegará en dos días |
| it's probably going round the world | probablemente esté dando la vuelta al mundo |
| maybe it's still in Madrid (Spain / Colombia) | igual está en Madrid / de pronto llega mañana |
More lines from the story
- ElenaO igual está todavía en Madrid, en la cinta.Or maybe it's still in Madrid, on the belt.
- JaviEs probable que la traigan directamente a la casa.They'll probably bring it straight to the house.
- NuriaEs probable que me lo ponga. Es mi futura suegra.I'll probably wear it. She's my future mother-in-law.
- NuriaPero esta noche hay cena con tu familia. ¿Y qué me pongo?But tonight there's dinner with your family. And what do I wear?