Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


Past used to mean the same Spanish subjunctive manages

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old October 18, 2024, 01:28 PM
aleCcowaN's Avatar
aleCcowaN aleCcowaN is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina
Posts: 3,193
Native Language: Castellano
aleCcowaN is on a distinguished road
Past used to mean the same Spanish subjunctive manages

"It's time I had my own business"

I heard this kind of structure for the first time while watching the comedy Beauty Shop many years ago. I was used to hear "have" and parse it as tengo or tenga according to the circumstances. "Es tiempo de que tenga mi propio negocio" is the too literal translation of that sentence, something a little awkward to say. "Llegó (or ha llegado) el momento de tener mi propio negocio" would be a better option.

Since then, I've come across this use many times, the last one today: "It's time I faced the truth", "Me llegó el momento de enfrentar la verdad", "Es momento/tiempo de que enfrente la verdad" its increasingly awkward versions, yet used in dubbing for brevity.

I tend not to use it, though. I use some workarounds instead like "It's time for me to have my own business" or "It's time for me to face the truth". Are these phrases correct or even possible, or am I being too spanishy or stubborn, so to speak?
__________________
Sorry, no English spell-checker
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 18, 2024, 01:40 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,365
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Native English speakers often use the past tense to create the subjunctive mood without even giving it a second thought. There's nothing wrong with what you're hearing. It sounds quite natural. Feel free to adopt.

Your workarounds are correct, also sound quite natural, and may be freely used.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 18, 2024, 02:14 PM
aleCcowaN's Avatar
aleCcowaN aleCcowaN is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sierra de la Ventana, Argentina
Posts: 3,193
Native Language: Castellano
aleCcowaN is on a distinguished road
Thank you very much, Rusty!
__________________
Sorry, no English spell-checker
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
A Case for Past or Present Subjunctive? deandddd Idioms & Sayings 2 October 09, 2024 05:55 PM
Hasta que (in the past) + subjunctive fglorca Grammar 2 May 06, 2019 05:51 PM
Conditional vs. Past Subjunctive kc9qii Grammar 4 August 16, 2012 08:55 PM
Quick past subjunctive question rparmst Grammar 6 April 14, 2012 08:15 AM
Imperfect and Past Perfect Subjunctive LibraryLady Grammar 6 May 25, 2010 04:50 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:23 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X