If I were learning Spanish

[hola]

how do you say IF I WERE LEARNING SPANISH FROM SOMEONE en la manera correcta en espanol?

[Rusty]

Si (yo) aprendiera español de/con alguien.

[CrOtALiTo]

I think you could to say, Si estoy aprendiendo Español a base otra persona. Then the correct translate would be If I'm learning Spanish with help of other person.

It was my attempt.

[hola]

ok we may have a conflict here. because the lady from Argentina said this is the way to say it:

"SI ESTUVIERA (o estuviese: subjuntivo imperfecto) APRENDIENDO ESPAÑOL DE ALGUIEN"

[CrOtALiTo]

Yes, exactly, but anyhow there is other way to say the same, of course, I just have said my own view point, but you can say the phrase of the way you want, but you can take my hint anyhow.

[Rusty]

There's no conflict. Both of us used the imperfect subjunctive mood. The only difference is that your 'teacher' chose to use a progressive phrase, where I chose not to. The progressive conveys the idea of continuous, or ongoing learning, where my translation just expresses the idea of learning (but doesn't stress the ongoing nature of the action). Both are accurate translations of what you were asking. Context is really the determining factor here.

[hola]

i think i prefer yours better because she went completely to the subjunctive and that is not something one can always remember to do. it is hard to remember to go to the subjunctive (estuviera) rather than just conjugate the indicative (aprendiera) which Rusty has done. it is much easier to just conjugate the indicative verb.

[Rusty]

Both she and I used the subjunctive, as I stated. She added the progressive nuance. I didn't. More context is necessary to know exactly what meaning was intended. Otherwise, both translations are accurate.

estoy aprendiendo (present progressive)
estuviera aprendiendo (imperfect subjunctive, progressive)


aprendo (present indicative)
aprendiera (imperfect subjunctive)

[Planet hopper]

I'm with Rusty, definitely. Best communicative choice, effective.

I would use a simple form instead of a continuous, continuity sounds limey here, just as a user.

Si aprendiera español de otra persona,....

Sounds acceptable for me and the tense is kept within subjunctive. Aprendiera is not indicative, it is past subjunctive, notice that, Hola.

[Tomisimo]

All the options are ok. estuviera aprendiendo/estuviese aprendiendo has a slightly different tone than aprendiera/aprendiese. The former options emphasize the fact that you are (in the process) of learning right now (this very instant), and the latter option is the more general way to say it. You might also think of it like this:

Si aprendiera/aprendiese español = If I were learning Spanish.
Si estuviera/estuviese aprendiendo español = If I were in the act of learning Spanish.

[hola]

oh ok. thanks tomisimo. im with rusty too. i prefer his way. it is simpler and easier to remember. what i don't understand is why she used the subjunctive form of ESTAR. i had wrote "SI ESTABA APRENDIENDO ESPANOL DE ALGUIEN....." and she corrected it. that is what has me confused. in that sentence, i am not the subject. the subject is ALGUIEN if i am not mistaken or the subject is the language ESPANOL. so why would she use a subjunctive form of ESTAR? i don't have the answer to that. once again, i used the indicative imperfect form of ESTAR.

[hola]

actually now that i took a good look @ the conjugation table, i see that Rusty also used the subjunctive form of APRENDER. why is everyone using the subjunctive form? i guess in that sentence *i* am the subject. if that is the case, why not use the subjunctive all the time to start a sentence? like instead of saying yo como (i eat) why not say yo coma? or why not si aprendia? and why is estaba aprendiendo wrong?

[Rusty]

Your English sentence, on which I based my answer, was written in the English subjunctive mood, and the subject was I.
The translation I gave remained in the subjunctive and kept the same subject.

Based on what you last wrote, your friend from Argentina simply changed the mood from indicative to subjunctive. This means that the indicative, imperfect progressive tense estaba aprendiendo became the subjunctive, imperfect progressive tense estuviera aprendiendo. Why she switched moods is the real question, and there isn't context enough for us to form an opinion.

Edit: I just read your last post. Learning when to use the indicative mood and when to use the subjunctive mood is the issue. It has nothing to do with who the subject is. It has to do with perception. The indicative mood is used when dealing with facts. Your friend didn't think the phrase in the sentence was dealing with facts, or she wouldn't have changed it to the subjunctive mood. Post more context and we'll be able to help you understand why the change was made.

[CrOtALiTo]

Then my answer is not acceptable?


Estoy aprendiendo sound better.

This sentence is in continue future, because the action is happening.

[hola]

i was forming a hypothetical situation w/ her. and i wrote "si estaba aprendiendo espanol de alguien..........."

but now it's all clear. she sent me an email explaining why the subjunctive is used.

but Crotalito u r spanish i am surprised that u r unsure. we should all b taking lessons from u.

[CrOtALiTo]

I'm not unsure with my Spanish, but you should more specific in your questions, because sometimes, if you reminded the translate from English to Spanish is not the same.

[lee ying]

I think this option si diferent:
si yo estuve aprendiendo español:If I were learning Spanish.
If I were learning Spanish. word by word. (past )

[Rusty]

If I were learning is the English subjunctive mood, gents. The possible translations are Si yo aprendiera or Si yo estuviera aprendiendo.

If I were a rich man. = Si yo fuera rico.
Because the subjunctive mood is disappearing from use in the English language, most people would say If I was a rich man, but the Spanish translation would still be Si yo fuera rico.

[CrOtALiTo]

I got it.