Quizá(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 if
the event or action referred to has not yet occurred, you normally use the future
indicative 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 be
used 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 vez
regresarán 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.49.1.4 Negative certainty
To 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.49.2 Enquiring about certainty or uncertainty
To enquire about certainty or uncertainty, Spanish normally uses the following
expressions:
¿Está usted/estás (completamente) seguro/a?
Are you (absolutely) sure?EXPRESSING CERTAINTY AND UNCERTAINTY 49.2