Very often you find yourself in front of the blank page with your mind also blank because you don’t know how to write a word. Who has not doubted between there and there? What a mess! If you could have a genie who would answer all your questions when you ask them, how happy you would be; but since it isn’t, you are forced to ask a friend, or quickly look it up in a dictionary or grammar, which is rather annoying and sometimes unproductive.
On some occasions, the dilemma is deciding between two very similar words, which you are used to hearing commonly on the street; therefore, they sound familiar and appropriate for every occasion. This is the case of the words haya and haiga. These words correspond to the conjugation of the verb to have in the present and in the present perfect of the subjunctive.
Consider examples such as has come or has come. You cannot use both, you must decide on one of them, but which one? Pay attention: one of them is the correct one, typical of the cultured norm; the other is far from that norm, more appropriate in colloquial speech. But which is which?
Always remember that we cannot write as we speak; therefore, those errors that are forgiven orally are condemned in writing. That is why we must take care of our wording and spelling. If you write well, they will consider you a cultured person.
Let’s learn a little more about the best use of the verb to have in the subjunctive. Thus, when you have understood the difference, you will not make any more mistakes in the writing of this verb. Rejoice, that this is singing and sewing! Here we will give you the solution.
We will explain what has happened over time with these two words, we will show you the uses of the verb to have, its meaning, and we will give you examples. Thus, you will be able to understand why you should write it one way and not the other. With our explanation, you will no longer have doubts and you will write with more confidence.
Let’s go for it!
Instructions for writing haya or haiga
To understand how to use the verb haber in the present or in the present perfect subjunctive, it is important to know some facts about it:
- The verb to have in our Spanish language comes from the Latin habere. You can use it as the main verb or as an auxiliary in the conjugation of others.
- As a main verb, it has undergone an interesting transformation throughout its history. Formerly it was a personal and transitive verb, with the meaning of having. Now it is an impersonal verb, with the meaning of existence or presence of the noun it accompanies. Being impersonal, we find it in sentences that do not have a subject. For that reason you always use it in the third person singular, as in There are many people at the movies, Yesterday there were problems in the office, There are three cats in my neighbor’s apartment.
- As an auxiliary verb, it accompanies other verbs in compound tenses. It is the one that helps us appreciate its conjugation: Many people have gone to the movies today, There have been problems in the office, I have seen three cats in my neighbor’s apartment.
- Both in the present subjunctive and in the present perfect subjunctive, the verb to have is conjugated: haya, hayas, haya (for the singular) and hayamos, hayáis, hayan (for the plural). However, remember that when it is principal, and therefore impersonal, it is only used in the third person singular: there is, there was, there was, there will be, there would be, there is, among others.
- The present perfect also receives the name of antepresente, according to Andrés Bello’s nomenclature.
- As a verb, haiga existed in earlier times. We can find it in texts written in an older Spanish; but, at the moment it is an archaism, not accepted in the cultured norm.
- There is no sentence in which you can use haiga as a verb, so stop acting like a goat by writing this verb the wrong way. This word is considered a vulgarism of the language, as well as its plural companions haigas and haigan. No matter how many people use it when conversing, or how many times a day you hear those words, don’t write them down!
Tips to make sure we conjugate correctly
- Check any Spanish conjugation dictionary, and you will see that in the present perfect or present subjunctive, the auxiliary haber will always conjure with the following paradigm: haya, hayas, haya for the singular; and hay, hayáis, hay, for the plural.
- Always avoid vulgarisms of the language. A vulgarism is the use of a word, a term or an expression that is foreign to the educated norm, although it may be very common in colloquial speech. As a vulgarism, haiga is stigmatized; so it is better not to use it. Write siempre haya, with all its personal variants.
- Take care of your writing. Don’t write like you talk. Remember that what they might allow you when you speak will be censored when you write.
- Never write haiga, haigas or haigan.
- Always write, as dictated by the norm, be there, have or have.
Haiga exists ?
Let’s see some examples in which the verb haber is used as the main tense or the imperfect subjunctive as an auxiliary:
The fact that there are no limes in the refrigerator means that there will be no lemonade.
Not because you came to the march with us, I will dance with you.
I hope Pedro has arrived.
I can’t believe you bought that car.
If you consult the Dictionary of the Royal Academy you will see that it accepts a haiga entry; but it is a masculine noun meaning “big and ostentatious car”. This word has an ironic meaning and originated in the times of the Spanish war when the so-called “new rich”, people who got rich quickly but who lacked culture or education, boasted of being able to buy ” the biggest car there is “. ” Regarding this word, be careful!; because, in the same way, the dictionary limits its use to the colloquial sphere.
On the other hand, you can also find a noun beech in the Dictionary of the Royal Academy, and it refers to a tree that belongs to the fagaceae family, which produces a fruit called beechnut used to feed pigs.
Remember that the way you write says a lot about you, especially if you are looking for a job or if you are going to write a love letter. Now you will no longer have any doubts regarding the norm and the use of the verb to have, that if you do not want to spend the penalty, practice and stop painting the monkey, because you never know when you will need to demonstrate what you know of the language.
What do you need to write haya or haiga?
To write better every day and show off with educated expressions, you need:
- A good verb conjugation dictionary (never hurts on your desk). As you can imagine, not all conjugated verbs appear; but it provides you with all the possibilities of conjugation. It is your job to find that verb that is conjugated the same as the one you need to consult.
- The New Basic Grammar of the Spanish Language ( from the Royal Spanish Academy and the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language), is not too much either. It is excellent and easy to use. Made for the understanding of those less versed in language issues.
- The Dictionary of the Spanish language (of the Royal Academy), since it not only offers you the meaning of the words, but also allows you to see how the words are written and which of them are part of the educated norm. However, remember to pay close attention to the word class (noun, adjective, verb, etc.) and be sure to read all the meanings that the dictionary offers you.
- Good writing books. Read them and do the exercises he recommends. Practice makes a master!
Tips for writing haya or haiga
Finally, a few last tips:
- Remember never use haiga and if not haiga, when you write the verb haber as the main present subjunctive; or as an auxiliary, in the present perfect subjunctive.
- Mark on your computer the page of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language as a favorite. There you can even ask questions; they will kindly answer you. That will give you the most up-to-date information you can find.
- Do not hesitate to consult a language scholar when you have a spelling doubt. It is better to err on the side of being meticulous than to suffer for being careless.
- Make reading a habit. In this way, you will have more knowledge about the cultured norm and about the correct spelling of the words. It will also provide you with the best writing models.