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


Imperfect Subjunctive Vs Conditional

 

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 08, 2015, 03:40 PM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Imperfect Subjunctive Vs Conditional

Is it possible to replace the imperfect subjunctive with the standard conditional tense in any of the examples below?

John hoped that we would win our match.
Juan esperaba que ganáramos nuestro partido. (ganaríamos)

Mary hoped that we would ring him.
María esperaba que le llamáramos. (llamaríamos)

His girlfriend gave me the money so that I would buy a new tracksuit.
Su novia me dio el dinero para que comprara un chándal nuevo. (compraría)

Many thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 08, 2015, 04:56 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,317
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Nope. The subjunctive must be used.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 08, 2015, 04:57 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,047
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
The first two examples might sometime be heard with the conditional, but most people I know would find it awkward, because "esperar que" is an immediate call for the subjunctive.
In the third example the subjunctive can never be replaced by the conditional.


- Juan creía que ganaríamos.
- María pensaba que la llamaríamos.

But:
- Juan deseaba que ganáramos.
- María quería que la llamáramos.


The only time I can think of when the subjunctive and the conditional can be put in the same place of a sentence, the meaning changes:

- María nos dijo que la llamáramos. -> She demanded that we called her.
- María nos dijo que la llamaríamos. -> She was certain that we would call her.




Edit: Rusty replied before I posted this, but one more answer won't hurt, I think.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...

Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; October 09, 2015 at 07:41 AM. Reason: Fixed grammar.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old October 08, 2015, 11:39 PM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Thanks so much Rusty and AngelicaDeAlquezar, I really appreciate your help.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old October 11, 2015, 03:32 PM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Sorry guys, just another quick question on this:

Juan esperaba que ganáramos nuestro partido.
John hoped that we would win our match.

John felt this way last Monday about a football match that took place last Thursday (i.e. both verbs here involve actions in the past).

Could we use the conditional (ganaríamos) if the match is not due to be played until next week (i.e. the match has not actually taken place yet) or does esperar que always imply the use of the subjunctive?

Once again, many thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old October 11, 2015, 04:19 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,317
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
You would still use the subjunctive mood. Esperar que always calls for the subjunctive.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old October 11, 2015, 10:35 PM
fglorca fglorca is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 583
fglorca is on a distinguished road
Thank you, Rusty. Would the same apply to all the typical verbs of influence and other expressions that automatically take the imperfect subjunctive (querer que, preferir que, pedir que, no creer que, etc.) regardless of when the action took place (past or conditional future)?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old October 12, 2015, 05:47 AM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,317
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Yes.
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
Replacing the conditional with the past subjunctive LearningSpanish Grammar 14 October 09, 2014 06:56 AM
Verb question: should be imperfect or conditional? michaelbr Grammar 3 February 27, 2014 06:43 PM
Imperfect subjunctive, conditional, and si clause help? ayúdame Practice & Homework 1 June 19, 2013 12:12 PM
Conditional vs. Past Subjunctive kc9qii Grammar 4 August 16, 2012 07:55 PM
Conditional vs. Subjunctive satchrocks Grammar 8 August 23, 2010 01:45 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:33 AM.

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

X