el uso de subjuntivo y condicional

Question

Am I using the subjuntivo and condicional correctly in this sentence or should I use the subjuntivo imperfecto?

"si entregue el texto hoy resultaría fatal gramaticalmente."

El subjuntivo del español me vuelvo loca!

me vuelve loca :) - 003487d6, MAY 22, 2010

Answer 1

The present subjunctive never follows a "si"; use the imperfect subjunctive.

Si entregara el texto hoy, resultaría fatal gramaticalmente.

yeah, that's right. Muchísimas gracias y espero que tenga una noche buena :D - LovisaNordqvist, MAY 22, 2010

Igualmente! :) - 003487d6, MAY 22, 2010

Answer 2

Qfreed, you sent me a PM about this, but did you know you have return PM's blocked?

What did you not agree with in my answer? Is it because I used imperfect subjuncitve + condititional? I think it's fine to say "If I were to turn in the text today, it would turn out awful gramatically." Your version of the sentence would work fine too, but maybe carry a slightly different meaning.

gracias dandi, yo no me había dado cuenta de esto, a mi me mandó un Pm también - 00494d19, MAY 23, 2010

Answer 3

The first test with if clauses is to decide if the condition is real (possible) or contrary-to-fact (unreal/impossible).

If I turn in the text today (possible)...use the indicative mood.

Si entrego el texto hoy resultará fatal gramaticalmente.

Now, if you said "If I had turned it in yesterday (you didn't)" then it is an unreal situation and needs the subjunctive mood.

III. Real vs. unreal conditions

1. A real condition is one which may actually come about or at least is viewed as a possibility; thus, in Spanish, the indicative is normally used both in the “if”clause and in the main part of the sentence:

     Si ella viene mañana, iremos al cine. 
   

If she comes tomorrow [she may actually come], we will go to the movies.

      Si nieva mucho, podré esquiar. 

If it snows a lot [it may really snow], I can ski.

  Note that the English versions of the above conditions suggest the indicative by the lack of hypothesis-suggesting words such as “would”, and by not using the past tense to refer to a present-time situation.

1. In contrast, an unreal or contrary-to-fact condition is one which will not come about or is viewed as being completely hypothetical. In this case, the “if” clause in normally in a past subjunctive tense, and the main verb is in a conditional tense.

    1. Present or future time situations. The imperfect subjunctive is used in the “if” clause, and the conditional in the main clause:
   
           Si yo fuera rico compraría un coche. 
   

   If I were rich [I am not rich] I would buy a car.

           ¿Qué harías si fueras presidente?  
   

   What would you do if you were president? [you aren't]

           Si Juana estuviera aquí, ¿le dirías la verdad? 
   

   If Juana were here [she isn't here], would you tell her the truth?

       Past time situations. Past perfect subjunctive in the “if” clause, conditional perfect in the main clause:
   
           Si la hubiera visto, habría dicho algo.  
   

   If I had seen her [I didn't see her] I would have said something.

           Si hubieras venido, te habrías divertido mucho. 
   

   If you had come [you didn't come] you would have had a great time.

           ¿Habrías ido a la fiesta si yo la hubiera planeado? 
   

   Would you have gone to the party if I had planned it? [I didn't plan it]