Hi Una,

As it is 2.30 a.m. in the USA I thought I would try and give you a UK translation before Paralee lets you have the definitive US version.

I've put the Spanish, your translataion and my suggestion for each one below. Unfortunately the formatting in my original didn't paste properly and I don't have time to go through it again. The answer editor is really primitive!

My English is native UK but my Spanish is not very strong so please take anything Paralee says before my suggestions. I did this because it was very interesting and I wanted to help.

1. Ojalà que el fontanero haya encontrado la abrazadera para la tuberìa con la gotera. I wish the plumber has found the clamp for the leaking pipe. I really hope the plumber has found the clamp for the leaking pipe. (Need something stronger than 'I wish' for Ojalá)

2. Me alegro de que hayas usado los tornillos en lugar de los clavos para construir la terraza. I'm happy that you've used these screws on the place for these nail to build the terrace. I'm happy that you've used screws instead of nails to build the terrace.

3. No creo que hayan serrado toda la madera. I doubt that they've sawn the wood entirely. I do not think (that) they have sawn all the wood.

4. No creì que hubiera olvidado su martillo. su destornillador y su taladro. I didn't think that he had forgot his hammer, screwdriver and drill. I didn't think (that) he would forget his hammer, screwdriver and drill.

5. Recomendaba que hubiera medido con una cinta metrica y no con las manos. I recommended that he had measured with tape measure and no with hands. I recommended that he measure with a tape measure and not his hands.

6. Fue increible que lo hubieran hecho con solamente una sierra y una abrazadera. It was incredible that it had mede with a saw and a clamp solely.) It was unbelievable that they had made it with only a saw and a clamp.

7. Dudaba que el fontanero hubiera traido su llave inglesa y su alicate. I doubted that the plumber had brought his wrench and plier. I doubted that the plumber had brought his wrench and pliers.

8. Me encanta que hayas atornillado la madera en la terraza. I'm happy that you've screwed the wood on the terrace. I'm pleased that you have used screws for the wood on the terrace. (I know that's arguable, but I suspect the real meaning is screws (as opposed to nails) and not just that the job has been finished)

9. Es bueno que los carpinteros hayan comprado sierras nuevas. It's nice that these carpentars have brought new saw. It's nice that these carpenters have bought new saws. (Comprar is to buy, not to bring, therefore 'bought', not 'brought').

10. No creì que hubierais reparado los tuberìas en solamente un dìa. I didn't think that you had repaired those pipes a day. I did not believe that you repaired those pipes in only one day. (I think a closer fit to the meaning would be something like 'I could not believe that you had ...' but the Spanish does not say that.

The translations show that you understand what is being said in Spanish. Is that what you are asking? The English needs a little work though...

Hola,robertico! I'm afraid ... it isn't what I'm asking. These Spanish phases came from this website lesson#4-6. And it's little bit complicated , because the explanation was in Spanish. So I think it's very convenient if there is translation in English, like beginner lessons. Anyway, thank you for asking!!

Hello! Hola! or Konnichiwa, Senor Moe ! Encantada. Thank you for teaching me how solve this issue!! Arigatou gozaimasu. Gracias! I'll e-mailing to Paralee and ask them to her. Hasta luego y que tenga un buen dia!

Hi,Mr.Jespa! Thank you for answering my question spite of such late night. It's just FYI though here in Japan is 17:30. It's time for sun goes down.

Anyway, I'm very happy that you're interested it ! And I think if we can see them in English as well, it makes us more understandable. So Mr.Jespa, your help is very effective for me Thank you again!!

Good night , Buenas noches!!

HI Una, welcome to this friendly forum

I have looked at your quest. Fact is that you are doing Learn Spanish 4. Even though it is always useful to have a translation, once you get to this lesson, so far in the course, we can expect you to understand without a translation to it. Actually, I agree with Paralee's concept, if you have the translation, all the thinking part is lost...this way however, you have done a very good job to try to get a better understanding by translating this part yourself.

When an advanced student of mine does not understand something I say, I always use different words, and I oblige them to do the same. They have to do their best to be understood without translating.

I would think the translation to this advanced lesson a disadvantage.

Hell,Heidita! Nice to meet you!! Now I understood what is the concept for learning Spanish 4. I'll review past learning section for "subjunctive" and need to understand more. Thank you for your polite advise