Imagina - PROGRAM SAMPLER

El valor de las ideas 217 The past subjunctive is also frequently used in si clauses. See 9.3 , pp. 324–325. ¿Tú te imaginas qué pasaría si a cada uno se le ocurriera venir vestido de acuerdo con su religión? Can you imagine what would happen if everyone decided to come dressed according to his or her religion? TALLER DE CONSULTA When using the past subjunctive of querer or the conditional of any verb in a main clause, use the past subjunctive in the subordinate clause. Quisiéramos que volvieran mañana. We’d like you to return tomorrow. Sería mejor que me dijeras la verdad. It would be better for you to tell me the truth. ¡ATENCIÓN! Uses of the past subjunctive • The past subjunctive is required in the same contexts as the present subjunctive, except that the point of reference is in the past. When the verb in the main clause is in the past, the verb in the subordinate clause is in the past subjunctive. ESTRUCTURAS —Oficial, sólo quisiera quedarme acá. Present time Past time Ellos sugieren que vayamos a la reunión. They suggest that we go to the meeting. Espero que no tengan problemas con los políticos. I hope they won’t have any problems with the politicians. Necesitamos un presidente que apoye nuestra causa. We need a president who will support our cause. Tú la defiendes aunque sea culpable. You defend her even though she’s guilty. • The expression como si ( as if ) is always followed by the past subjunctive. Habla de la guerra como si no le importara . He talks about the war as if he didn’t care. ¿Por qué siempre me andas espiando como si fuera un ladrón? Why do you always go around spying on me as if I were a thief ? Reaccionarán como si trajéramos malas noticias. They will react as if we brought bad news. Me saludó como si no me conociera . She greeted me as if she didn’t know me. • The past subjunctive is commonly used with querer to make polite requests, to express wishes, or to soften statements. Quisiera verlos hoy, por favor. Quisiéramos paz y justicia para nuestro pueblo. I’d like to see you today, please. We wish for peace and justice for our people. Ellos sugirieron que fuéramos a la reunión. They suggested that we go to the meeting. Esperaba que no tuvieran problemas con los políticos. I was hoping they wouldn’t have any problems with the politicians. Necesitábamos un presidente que apoyara nuestra causa. We needed a president who would support our cause. Tú la defendiste aunque fuera culpable. You defended her even though she was guilty.