Is this the subjunctive?

[Caballero]

Yes, that's one (prescriptivistic) definition of can. But it is also used just like may. I read somewhere that even Shakespere used it like that sometimes, so it's not a new thing.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

English uses the indicative mood of a past tense for a present subjunctive.

If I were you ....

were is the past of am, used as a subjunctive.

What would happen if tomorrow I went on holiday?

Went is the past tense of go, used here as a subjunctive to express a hypothetical situation in the future.

I thought that tomorrow I might go on holiday.

Might is the past tense of may used here as a subjunctive to express a hypothetical situation in the future.

So might is both an indicative past and a present subjunctive, but I'm happy to be challenged on this.

I understand.

Can you translate "Anything you may need" to Spanish?, please.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

Can you translate "Anything you may need" to Spanish?, please.

It is as Luna Azul says here:

Originally Posted by Luna Azul

Anything you may need = Cualquier cosa que puedas necesitar

Anything you might need = Cualquier cosa que pudieras necesitar

My objection was not the translation, but the direct correspondance may = puedas because strictly speaking, may is not 'correct'. Well it wasn't 30 years ago, but now everybody uses it. This is a good example of the erosion of nuances in a language - there used to be a clear difference between may and might.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

It is as Luna Azul says here:

My objection was not the translation, but the direct correspondance may = puedas because strictly speaking, may is not 'correct'. Well it wasn't 30 years ago, but now everybody uses it. This is a good example of the erosion of nuances in a language - there used to be a clear difference between may and might.

Got it.

So, strictly speaking "Anything you might need" is correct for both present and past tense.

Ok. Thank you.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

Got it.

So, strictly speaking "Anything you might need" is correct for both present and past tense.

Ok. Thank you.

No The present tense, yes. The past tense would be

Anything you might have needed

[Caballero]

This is a good example of the erosion of nuances in a language - there used to be a clear difference between may and might.

Not to worry. We'll evolve more nuances in other areas of the language.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Caballero

Not to worry. We'll evolve more nuances in other areas of the language.

Well, let me know when you find one. Why destroy the ones we have?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Perikles

No The present tense, yes. The past tense would be

Anything you might have needed

Ok, then I guess you're having fun?

Would you please tell me what "may" translated to 30 years ago?

And please tell me how "Anything you may need" translated 30 years ago.

Thanks

[aleCcowaN]

Originally Posted by Caballero

Not to worry. We'll evolve more nuances in other areas of the language.

Who is "we"?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by aleCcowaN

Who is "we"?

What?

You mean to tell me you don't recognize yourself in that "we".


tsk, tsk, tsk...