Question about "si" and the subjunctive

Question

Right, so you know in English we say stuff like 'If i find the right person' or 'if i fall over' etc..it's in the present tense yes? But it's like talking about something that might/ might not happen in the future? This is where I am confused. I was just wondering how to say such sentences in spanish? Does it take the subjunctive because it's uncertainty? Si encuentro la person corecto...If i find the right person...that is how i would say it but i do not think I am right?..or am i? & does anyone know the rules of Si clauses and if so please could they explain them to me? Gracias xx

You're referring to *si* without the tilde. Sí as you wrote it is "yes." - Deanski, Apr 22, 2011

Thanks, I've edited it all now:) - melissa1992, Apr 22, 2011

Great.:) - Deanski, Apr 22, 2011

Answer 1

IF and a past tense ............

If I were rich.......... I would etc...2nd conditional, unreal situation in the present

or

IF I had been rich.....I would have etc.., 3rd conditional, unreal situation in the past

will trigger the use of a subjunctive verb in Spanish.

Have a look at this thread 2nd conditional

It's confusing because English uses the past-plural to express present singular subjunctive - Lector_Constante, Apr 22, 2011

Not really Lector "were" is used for all persons. Many times "I, he, she, it was" etc. is used these days though. - ian-hill, Apr 22, 2011

Answer 2

In if clauses the criteria for using the subjunctive or indicative mood is usually whether the if clause is viewed as real or contrary-to -fact (unreal).

*If I find the right person this is what I will* do. takes the indicative mood, because the if clause is seen as possible, and the rest just declares what you will do if it does, indeed, happen.

The same with "if I fall over, I will....". It takes the indicative mood as long as the condition is seen as possible to occur.

The subjunctive verb is used when the if clause is seen as impossible or completely theoretical. (contrary-to-fact)

If I were rich (I am not; completely theoretical) then this is what I would do.

Notice that in the first two that the if clause is in present tense. In the subjujctive one the if clause verb is in the past tense while rest of the sentence refers to present or future time.

conditional if clauses

Very good explanation; however, I might suggest that although the subjunctive part of the sentence is conjugated in the "past" subjunctive, this does not necessarily place the event in the past. - Izanoni1, Apr 22, 2011

Ahh, "If I were King" is present subjunctive and means "Suppose I am King" - Lector_Constante, Apr 22, 2011

Answer 3

Great question!

Welcome to the forum, Melissa.

Answer 4

Thanks so much everyone for your help xx

Answer 5

Qfreed has already given a nice explanation. Aside from this, you might find the DPD entry for si useful, especially sections 1.1 (including 1.1.1, 1.1.2a and 1.1.2b). The entry is in Spanish, but translating it into English will not only provide you with invaluable information but will also be a good exercise in and of itself (and if you have any trouble translating it, you could always post your questions on the forum).

Thanks, Ira...that's great. - --Mariana--, Apr 22, 2011

Answer 6

                 Joshua Slocum 1844-1909

Si yo fuera un hombre de una epoca pasada sería Él capitán Joshua Slocum primer hombre que dio una vuelta alrededor del mundo en
un barco pequeño.