Question 1

Why is sienta in the subjunctive but pude is in the indicative?

Accepted Answer

This is the classic "rejected reason" structure. When you deny a reason with no es que (it's not that), the verb that follows must be in the subjunctive (sienta) because you are declaring it to be untrue or hypothetical. The actual reason that follows sino que (but rather that) is a fact, so it takes the indicative (pude).

Question 2

Why do we use sino que here instead of just sino or pero?

Accepted Answer

When you want to say "not X, but rather Y," you use sino instead of pero. However, because the second part of this sentence contains a newly conjugated verb (pude), you have to add que. If you were just contrasting nouns without a new verb, you would use sino alone (e.g., No es desconfianza, sino precaución).

Question 3

Could I use the imperfect podía instead of the preterite pude for "I couldn't"?

Accepted Answer

You could, but the meaning shifts slightly. Using the preterite pude focuses on the definitive outcome: you were unable to go, and the event is a closed chapter (emphasized by ayer). If you used podía, it would sound more like background description ("I wasn't in a position to go"), whereas pude confirms the concrete failure to attend.

Question 4

Is it more common to say sentir desconfianza rather than just using a verb like desconfiar?

Accepted Answer

Both are very common. You could absolutely say No es que desconfíe (using the subjunctive of desconfiar) and it would mean exactly the same thing. Pairing sentir (to feel) with an abstract noun—like desconfianza, miedo (fear), or celos (jealousy)—is just a very natural phrasing in Spanish.

No es que sienta desconfianza, sino que ayer no pude ir.

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