It was important + subj.

Question

I want to say a sentence in the subjunctive past.

So take the sentence - it was important for him that they would help him escape from the prison.

Would

"era importante que le ayudaran escapar de la cárcel"

How do i fit in the " for him" in there as i want the meaning to be that it was important for him specifically. I want the sentence to remain subjunctive.

Thanks.

Great question. We can never get to much practice with the subjunctive! - happyquilter, Mar 8, 2011

"that they should help him" would be somewhat better. - samdie, Mar 8, 2011

Answer 1

The subjunctive is a funny thing. I used to try to use it all the time, but now Im learning that it should be avoided when possible because when you use it it opens up a lot of question about doubt and puts you into a quagmire. Especially in a statement like this where you are pretty sure it definitely was really important for him. Therefore, I would rephrase it as follows:

Lo ayudaron a escapar de la cárcel, lo que (a él) le importaba.

Answer 2

Perhaps add "para él"

"era importante para él que le ayudaran a escapar de la cárcel"

perfect - 005faa61, Mar 8, 2011

Thank you :) - Teegs, Mar 8, 2011

Answer 3

le importaba que...

So does "le importaba que le ayudaran escapar de la cárcel" work? - El_Hitch, Mar 8, 2011

It works, but a native speaker might be able to offer you a better translation. For example intento de fuga is a prison break. - Encalada, Mar 8, 2011

Thanks. Im mainly concerned with the grammar of it and the use of the subjunctive - El_Hitch, Mar 8, 2011

Answer 4

What about, on similar lines.

It was important for the game to stop

"Era importante que el juego se parase"

Many thanks.

I think se parara is better. - Encalada, Mar 8, 2011

exactly.... "se parase" doesn´t work - 005faa61, Mar 8, 2011

what about (out of interest) "hubiera parado" ? - El_Hitch, Mar 8, 2011

"se parase" is totally fine. - Vikingo, Mar 8, 2011

hubiera parado changes the meaning. It's now the past perfect subjunctive. See these links. http://www.spanishdict.com/learn/show/93 http://www. - Encalada, Mar 8, 2011

Answer 5

Just to note:

Adding the to him may change it from requiring the subjunctive because of being an impersonal expression to being one of subjective opinion.

impersonal expressions + subjunctive

So when its "le importaba que..." its not subjunctive? - El_Hitch, Mar 8, 2011

It is subjunctive mood unless you are using the expression to emphasize the declaration of the subordinate clause. We had a discussion on this yesterday. - 0074b507, Mar 8, 2011

If you are expressing a subjective value (personal opinion) concerning the subordinate clause , rather than declaring or informing about it, then use the subjunctive. - 0074b507, Mar 8, 2011