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Grammar questions– conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax, etc.


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  #1
Old September 24, 2008, 02:42 PM
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How many errors in this....

"no se si sabrias pero sabes si mi vida seria mejor si vivi en mexico?"
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  #2
Old September 24, 2008, 03:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hola View Post
"no se si sabrias pero sabes si mi vida seria mejor si vivi en mexico?"
Try to use the 'Accents' pull-down menu to help you write the special characters. If you don't see it above the text box you're typing in, click the 'Go Advanced' button.

The sentence is a bit clearer if some words are omitted and rearranged. It is more correct this way:
No sé (si sabrías)(si sabes), pero ¿sería mejor mi vida si viviera en México?

It is possible, and more common, to use the present indicative tense (sabes) instead of the conditional sabrías in the introductory clause.
It is probably better not to use either. Just say, "No sé, pero ..."

Note that only the question portion of the sentence is embedded in interrogation marks.
Also note the use of the subjunctive mood (viviera instead of viví). This is mandatory when using the conditional tense in the main clause.

Any questions, ask!
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  #3
Old September 24, 2008, 03:21 PM
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No accents, of course.
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  #4
Old September 24, 2008, 04:51 PM
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rusty i know you said i prob should' ve used the word "viviera" but how about if i used the word "vivire" instead of "vivi"
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  #5
Old September 24, 2008, 05:09 PM
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Not, because the word Vivire you are affirm that you will life in Mexico, instead if you say Viviera in Mexico, you are supposing that if you life in My country will be better that you are here.

Ojo. with the conjugations, in your post.
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  #6
Old September 24, 2008, 09:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hola View Post
rusty i know you said i prob should' ve used the word "viviera" but how about if i used the word "vivire" instead of "vivi"
I said you must use viviera. This usage is mandated by the conditional tense. This is the only correct conjugation for the verb.

¿Sería mejor mi vida si viviera en México?
This can be translated into two English questions, both equal in meaning.
The first question below is how we would normally say it in the USA. The second question is also American English, but uses the seldom heard subjunctive form.

Would my life be better if I lived in Mexico?
Would my life be better if I were to live in Mexico?

Last edited by Rusty; September 24, 2008 at 09:49 PM.
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  #7
Old September 24, 2008, 11:19 PM
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Yes I agree with Rusty.
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  #8
Old September 25, 2008, 05:28 AM
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Many errors :P
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  #9
Old September 25, 2008, 01:33 PM
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ooooh ok gracias amigo yo aprecio esa
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  #10
Old September 25, 2008, 01:37 PM
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ok rusty. because my initial question in english was "i don't know if *you would know* (thats why i put sabrias instead of sabes) if my life would be better if i lived in mexico." im assuming the word "sabrias" is the correct one here?
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  #11
Old September 25, 2008, 02:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hola View Post
ok rusty. because my initial question in english was "i don't know if *you would know* (thats why i put sabrias instead of sabes) if my life would be better if i lived in mexico." im assuming the word "sabrias" is the correct one here?
No sé (si sabrías)(si sabes), pero ¿sería mejor mi vida si viviera en México?

The reason I placed the two options in parentheses is because you can just say No sé, pero ....
If you want to include one of the options, use the latter. It's much more common in the phrase you've chosen.

That being said, I would personally steer away from using either option in parentheses. Either could belittle your friend. Rather than suggest s/he might not know something, it would sound better (in my opinion) to admit that you haven't figured something out and then ask a question that begs a thoughtful response. It is also OK to omit the first part altogether and just ask the question itself.

Last edited by Rusty; September 25, 2008 at 02:09 PM.
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  #12
Old September 26, 2008, 05:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hola View Post
"no se si sabrias pero sabes si mi vida seria mejor si vivi en mexico?"
Quote:
"i don't know if *you would know* (thats why i put sabrias instead of sabes) if my life would be better if i lived in mexico."
I haven't said anything before because Rusty's work was good.
Rusty's right, it's a little difficult to translate it directly from english.
options
¿Crees/piensas que mi vida sería mejor si viviese en México?
¿Crees/piensas que viviría mejor si viviese en México?

saludos
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  #13
Old September 26, 2008, 09:48 AM
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I, like Sosia, haven't said anything yet because Rusty is on target. The conditional (adding ía to an infinitive) requires the imperfect subjunctive be used in the subordinate clause. The imperfect subjuntive of vivir is viviera or viviese. They both mean the same thing and it's a personal stylistic choice.

(How d'ya like how I worked the almost disappearing English subjunctive into my post? I don't want it to die, I don't want it to die! )
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  #14
Old September 26, 2008, 10:22 AM
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David, you still won't die .
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Last edited by CrOtALiTo; September 26, 2008 at 10:36 AM.
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