Which tense follows "si" in present, past, etc.

[rkeyster]

Hi,

I'm sure this has been done before, but I'd really appreciate it if someone could clarify the tenses that follow "si" in various situations.

I know that the "regular," present tense subjunctive does NOT follow si.

For example, if I want to say:

If he comes, I will become nervous.

That is (I think!):

Si viene, me pongo nervioso. (no subjunctive used)

However, I've noticed that in sentences like the following (copied and pasted from the haber + haber thread), a form of the subjunctive is used.

Habría sido bonito si no hubiera llovido en la boda. (It would have been nice if it hadn't rained at the party).

So if I want to say "If it had/hadn't....", would I always use the above form of the subjunctive (highlighted in red)?

Would I then use the past subjunctive if I wanted to simply say, "If it didn't rain..." (si no lloviera...)

I don't want to take up too much of anyone's time, so if anyone knows a website/page that lists the different "si" situations and which subjunctive/non-subjunctive verb tense corresponds, I'd be much obliged!

[Rusty]

This page probably answers your question.

[tacuba]

Originally Posted by Rusty

This page probably answers your question.

Rusty, at the bottom of the page you linked, they translate:
"Si yo hiciera eso, todos se pondrían muy enojados." as, "If I do that, everyone would get very angry."

Wouldn't it be better as "If I were to do that..." or "If I did that....."

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by tacuba

Rusty, at the bottom of the page you linked, they translate:
"Si yo hiciera eso, todos se pondrían muy enojados." as, "If I do that, everyone would get very angry."

Wouldn't it be better as "If I were to do that..." or "If I did that....."

I'm with you.

The first translation you gave uses the English subjunctive.
You'd be more likely to hear "If I was to do that..." or what you wrote in your second translation.

[bobjenkins]

Hola, sólo quiero añadir algo,

Esa conjugación siempre sigue la frase

Como si (as if)

Él corrió como si la vida lo dependiera
Él corre como si la vida lo dependiera

Espero que mis ejemplos sean razón

[Tomisimo]

Originally Posted by bobjenkins

Como si (as if)

Él corrió como si la vida lo dependiera
Él corre como si la vida lo dependiera

Yo diría:

Él corrió como si la vida dependiera de ello.
El corre como si la vida depende de ello.

En presente no se usa el subjuntivo después de "si" (meaning "if").

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by Tomisimo

Yo diría:

Él corrió como si la vida dependiera de ello.
El corre como si la vida depende de ello.

En presente no se usa el subjuntivo después de "si" (meaning "if").

Gracias para corregirlos

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

You're right, David, although "corre como si la vida depende de ello" sounds weird. In that case it's rather "dependiera".

Si + present is used when "si" introduces a condition, not a comparison.

Si vienes a visitarme, tomamos café.
If you come to visit me, we'll drink some coffee.

Si te gusta el futbol, vamos al estadio mañana.
If you like football, let's go to the stadium tomorrow.

Si no quiero hablar con nadie, me encierro en casa.
When/if I don't want to talk to anyone, I lock myself at home.


@Bob: "Gracias por corregirlos"

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by bobjenkins

Hola, sólo quiero añadir algo,

Esa conjugación siempre sigue la frase

Como si (as if)

Él corrió como si la vida lo dependiera
Él corre como si la vida lo dependiera

Espero que mis ejemplos sean razón

I'd say:

Corrió como si su vida dependiera de ello or
Corrió como si la vida le fuera en ello.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I mostly agree with Irma, but I'd like to add a nuance in meaning:

"Como si la vida dependiera de ello" would mean "as if life (life in general) depended on it".

"Como si su vida dependiera de ello"/"como si la vida le fuera en ello" would be "as if his life (only his) depended on it".