Question 1

Why is empeore in the subjunctive here instead of the future tense (empeorará)?

Accepted Answer

The adverb quizás (maybe/perhaps) introduces doubt. When you want to emphasize that uncertainty, you follow it with the subjunctive mood. Even though we translate it to the future tense in English (will get worse), Spanish frequently uses the present subjunctive to talk about possible future events.

Question 2

What is the difference between quizá and quizás?

Accepted Answer

There is no difference in meaning; they both mean 'maybe' or 'perhaps' and you can use them interchangeably. Some speakers prefer quizás before a word starting with a vowel and quizá before a consonant, but both are completely correct here.

Question 3

Could I use the regular present tense and say quizás la tormenta empeora?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can! With adverbs of probability like quizás or tal vez, using the indicative mood (empeora) means you feel a bit more certain that the storm will get worse. Using the subjunctive (empeore), as in this sentence, signals a higher degree of doubt.

Question 4

How does the verb empeorar relate to the word for 'worse' (peor)?

Accepted Answer

It is built right around it! In Spanish, you can often make a verb out of an adjective by adding en- or em- to the beginning and -ar to the end. So, peor (worse) becomes empeorar (to get worse). Similarly, mejor (better) becomes mejorar (to improve).

El pronóstico tiene una advertencia; quizás la tormenta empeore.

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