Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Translations


Pareciera que se dan cuenta....

 

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 October 07, 2009, 08:11 AM
tacuba's Avatar
tacuba tacuba is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
Posts: 309
Native Language: English (USA)
tacuba is on a distinguished road
Pareciera que se dan cuenta....

"Los nietos juegan tranquilamente sobre la terraza, pareciera que se dan cuenta de la necesidad que tienen sus padres de unos momentos de descanso"

My translation:
"The grandchildren play quietly on the patio, it would appear that they realize that the parents need a few moments of relaxation"

My question is about paracer in the imperfect subjunctive. Could it be said using the indicative "parece que se dan cuenta", or is the subjunctive required?

Thanks
__________________
I would be grateful if you would correct my errors.
Estaría agradecido si corrigiera
mis errores.

Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 07, 2009, 08:28 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,810
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by tacuba View Post
"Los nietos juegan tranquilamente sobre la terraza, pareciera que se dan cuenta de la necesidad que tienen sus padres de unos momentos de descanso"

My translation:
"The grandchildren play quietly on the patio, it would appear that they realize that the parents need a few moments of relaxation"

My question is about paracer in the imperfect subjunctive. Could it be said using the indicative "parece que se dan cuenta", or is the subjunctive required?

Thanks
In this case the subjunctive isn't used.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 07, 2009, 08:50 AM
tacuba's Avatar
tacuba tacuba is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
Posts: 309
Native Language: English (USA)
tacuba is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
In this case the subjunctive isn't used.
Sorry, I didn't make it clear. The author of the book I'm reading is using the subjunctive "pareciera". I'm just trying to see why he used it in this context.
__________________
I would be grateful if you would correct my errors.
Estaría agradecido si corrigiera
mis errores.

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old October 07, 2009, 09:14 AM
bobjenkins's Avatar
bobjenkins bobjenkins is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: España próximamente??
Posts: 2,923
Native Language: Inglés
bobjenkins is on a distinguished road
También quiero saber yo porque el subjuntivo es usado ahí, habría escrito

Parece que se den cuenta de.... (con el subjuntivo en la segunda cláusula) Realmente no estoy seguro
__________________
"There´s always money in the banana stand michael!"
--george bluthe sir
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old October 07, 2009, 09:29 AM
tacuba's Avatar
tacuba tacuba is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
Posts: 309
Native Language: English (USA)
tacuba is on a distinguished road
From About.com:

  • Parece que es un error de computadora. The speaker is indicating that the problem appears to be a computer error. As in this example, forms of parecer are typically followed by a verb in the indicative mood.
  • Parece que sea un error de computadora. This sentence could be translated the same as the above one: "It seems that it is a computer error." But by using the subjunctive, the speaker is expressing hesitancy about her conclusion.
In most cases, the use of the subjunctive is mandated by the structure of the sentence. But in some cases, such as these above, the choice of the indicative or subjunctive mood can express a nuance of meaning that may not be evident in the English translation.

But I still don't understand the use of the Imperfect Subjunctive in the example above.
__________________
I would be grateful if you would correct my errors.
Estaría agradecido si corrigiera
mis errores.

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old October 07, 2009, 10:06 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,810
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
It's a badly written sentence where the tenses don't agree.
The imperfect subjuctive agrees with the conditional and not with the present tense.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old October 07, 2009, 10:16 AM
tacuba's Avatar
tacuba tacuba is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Ajijic, Jalisco, MX
Posts: 309
Native Language: English (USA)
tacuba is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
It's a badly written sentence where the tenses don't agree.
The imperfect subjuctive agrees with the conditional and not with the present tense.
You can use the imperfect subjunctive with the present indicative:

Siento que estuvieras enfermo
I'm sorry that you were sick.
__________________
I would be grateful if you would correct my errors.
Estaría agradecido si corrigiera
mis errores.

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old October 07, 2009, 10:33 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,810
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by tacuba View Post
You can use the imperfect subjunctive with the present indicative:

Siento que estuvieras enfermo
I'm sorry that you were sick.
Yes, that's a exception to the rule, but using the subjunctive makes it sound insulting--like somehow you doubt the illness.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old October 07, 2009, 11:08 AM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
I can't see any reason for a subjunctive here. It sounds like an attempt at a translation of 'it would appear as if' from English.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old October 07, 2009, 11:29 AM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by tacuba View Post
"Los nietos juegan tranquilamente sobre la terraza, pareciera que se dan cuenta de la necesidad que tienen sus padres de unos momentos de descanso"

My translation:
"The grandchildren play quietly on the patio, it would appear that they realize that the parents need a few moments of relaxation"

My question is about paracer in the imperfect subjunctive. Could it be said using the indicative "parece que se dan cuenta", or is the subjunctive required?

Thanks
...it appeared that they realize of the need their parents have of a few moments of relaxation/rest.

Last edited by chileno; October 08, 2009 at 06:55 AM. Reason: I added the word "that"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
pareciera

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

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
Se la dan con queso ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 1 September 24, 2009 07:34 PM
Me gusta enseñar a grupos altos porque dan más juego para hablar ROBINDESBOIS Translations 2 July 27, 2009 06:17 PM
En cuenta de/en cuanto a poli Idioms & Sayings 17 March 12, 2009 01:46 PM
darse cuenta poli Idioms & Sayings 12 May 22, 2008 05:16 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:23 PM.

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

X