'I could if I wanted to'

Question

How would you say "I could if I wanted to" in Spanish?

Here is my attempt:

Podría si quise

Thanks!

great question Sonrisa - ive learnt too :) - billygoat, Sep 14, 2011

Answer 1

How about - Podría si quisiera.

Ahh, yes! Thank you, Kiwi :D - SonrisaDelSol, Sep 14, 2011

My guess too - patch, Sep 14, 2011

Answer 2

It makes perfect sense..the subjunctive is used in this case because this is a hypothetical statement or a situation that is not all together factual...there carries a realm of doubt. Think about it.."i could if i wanted to" maybe you can or maybe you can't...we may never know the answer...it's not a fact and it proports uncertainty that's why you have to use the subjunctive in this case and remember not all uses of the subjunctive need a change in subject...most of the time they do but there is that fraction of times when it is not needed!

Answer 3

Podría si quise

Quise is past tense, Sonrisa. I think "wanted to" is English subjunctive - so it should be "quisiera". I like to the following rule as a guide: If you can replace the English verb with "were to [do something]" then we should use the imperfect sub. in Spanish too. Eg. "If I had more money..." = "If I were to have more money..." = imp. subj.

Of course I could be completely wrong so let's wait for a better source.

Thanks, Patch! - SonrisaDelSol, Sep 14, 2011

well answered mate - billygoat, Sep 14, 2011

Answer 4

That is not true usually when you use the conditional tense in the independent clause the si clause would take the past subjunctive not the present subjunctive...

If i had the money i would buy a car..si yo tuviera dinero, compraría un coche. in the case of your sentence it would be... Yo podría, si yo quisiera

great :) thats something else ive learnt tonight ! - billygoat, Sep 14, 2011

Answer 5

podria si quisiera

Answer 6

my stab in the dark. As you are using conditional 'could' wouldnt you use present tense subjuntive for want?

So my guess is: Yo podría si quiera.

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ok here's where my poor English skills let me down lol.

It depends what you are saying. If you mean "I could if I had wanted to" (ie you wanted to some time in the past) then I would have thought imperfect subjunctive Spanish quisiera.

If you mean "I could if I want(ed) to" (ie you might want to now, present tense) then I would go with present subjunctive Spanish quiera.

Watch me be miles out lol

Thanks, Billygoat :D - SonrisaDelSol, Sep 14, 2011

Answer 7

Thanks for your answers, everyone! I appreciate your help so much.

I'm confused why the subjunctive would be used at all, though. Isn't a subject change needed for the subjunctive?

probably something to do with that "if" clause. I can't think of any other way to phrase it. Good question - patch, Sep 14, 2011

Oooh, right, probably has something to do with that "if". Thank you, patch :D - SonrisaDelSol, Sep 14, 2011