Ask a Question

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


I Wish You Could Have Been Here

 

If you need help translating a sentence or longer piece of text, use this forum. For translations or definitions of a single word or idiom, use the vocabulary forum.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 17, 2024, 11:40 AM
Bobbert's Avatar
Bobbert Bobbert is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Southwestern USA
Posts: 295
Native Language: American English
Bobbert is on a distinguished road
I Wish You Could Have Been Here

I'm writing a response to an e-mail, but I'm unsure how to say:
The reunion was a success. I wish you could have been here.

The following are possibilities that come to my mind, but I'm unsure which, if any, are correct and/or are usually said:

La reunión fue un éxito. Ojalá pudieras haber estado aquí.

La reunión fue un éxito. Ojalá hubieras podido estar aquí.

La reunión fue un éxito. Me hubiera gustado que podrias haber estado aquí.

La reunión fue un éxito. Me hubiera gustado que pudieras haber estado aquí.

Are any of the above correct? Are any of the above completely wrong?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old March 17, 2024, 11:31 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,102
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Ojalá pudieras haber estado aquí. -> In context, this would have been understood, but combining "ojalá" and "pudieras" is better when you're expressing a wish for something to happen in the future:
- Ojalá pudieras venir. Te lo agradecería mucho.

Ojalá hubieras podido estar aquí. -> This one is great.

Me hubiera gustado que podrias haber estado aquí. -> "Me hubiera gustado que" demands a subjunctive verb, but "podrías" is an indicative.
You can use this construction for a reproach: "Podrías haber estado aquí, pero preferiste hacer otras cosas".

Me hubiera gustado que pudieras haber estado aquí. -> This one is good, but long. I guess, grammatically, your proposal is better, but sometimes we prefer less repetitive constructions, so my ears would prefer: "Me hubiera gustado que pudieras estar aquí".

Other alternatives:
- Me habría gustado que hubieras estado aquí. ("Habría" in this context, is used interchangeably with "hubiera", to avoid repetition.)
- Me hubiera gustado que estuvieras aquí.
- Me habría gustado que hubieras podido estar aquí. (Long, but it would have worked.)
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old March 18, 2024, 02:11 PM
Bobbert's Avatar
Bobbert Bobbert is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Southwestern USA
Posts: 295
Native Language: American English
Bobbert is on a distinguished road
Thank you, AngelicaDeAlquezar. The explanations and examples are very helpful.
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


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:30 PM.

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

X