Grammar questions from Marcelino Pan y Vino by José María Sánchez-Silva

[Quaeso]

Here's a thread about this little book. My Spanish isn't great, so thank you for your patience. I was unable to locate a very accessible online version, so I hope that doesn't cause any issues for you finding the context.


"Con la hora del Angelus llegaron los frailes que habían salido temprano y relataron al padre cuanto les había acontecido. Como si previamente se hubiesen puesto de acuerdo movieron la cabeza con desconfianza cuando fueron interrogados sobre la determinación de las diferentes autoridades a quienes habían informado del caso." -Marcelino I. III. ~line 20

Is it true that Como si... does not form a proper conditional? And I take it that se hubiesen puesto is a reflexive pluperfect subjunctive? And why is it in the subjunctive? Also is it necessary for me to post an English translation for something like this?

[aleCcowaN]

There's no conditional in the paragraph. It's a phrase that works as an adverb ("como si previamente se hubiesen puesto de acuerdo") meaning "[in a fashion] as if they had previously agreed to do it that way". The use of subjunctive mood points to the grammatical function (an adverbial phrase) reinforced by the fact the action didn't happen (they didn't coordinate their actions).