Question 1

Why is actúe in the subjunctive, but es in the indicative?

Accepted Answer

This is the core of rejecting one reason and giving the real one. We use no es que followed by the subjunctive (actúe) to state a reason that isn't true. Then, we use sino que followed by the indicative (es) to state the actual, factual reason.

Question 2

Why does actúe have an accent mark on the u?

Accepted Answer

The infinitive is actuar. In the present tense (both indicative and subjunctive), the spoken stress falls on the u in all forms except the nosotros form. To show this stress and prevent the u and e from blending into a single syllable, we must use a written accent: actúe.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

You use sino to mean "but rather" when correcting a negative statement. However, if that correction introduces a brand new clause with a conjugated verb, you must use sino que. Because the true reason includes the conjugated verb es, we need the que.

Question 4

Could I use para instead of por in the phrase por egoísmo?

Accepted Answer

No, you need por here. We use por to express the motive or reason behind an action, which translates perfectly to "out of" or "because of" in English. Para would imply a future goal or destination, which doesn't fit the meaning of acting out of selfishness.

No es que actúe por egoísmo, sino que mi salud es la prioridad.

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