What makes this subjunctive?

Question

Si viviera en una hacienda tendría un cerdo.

Hi,

I'd appreciate some help understanding the imperfect subjunctive without (preferably) any 'technical' help. I'm trying to get a 'feel' for how it works, maybe even how it would work in English.

Why is the above sentence subjunctive?

And also, I'm confused because Paralee said the subjunctive needs a relative pronoun (que, quien, como) This sentence doesn't have one though?

I appreciate any help. Sometimes just having something explained differently helps me 'get it' Thanks!

Answer 1

What you are saying is, if I were to live (viviera) on a ranch I'd have a pig. It's the 'were' part that is the subjunctive.

You can't use the indicative because it wouldn't work to say 'if I live (vivo) on a ranch I would have a pig'.

Regarding the relative pronoun 'que' - while it is true that you will often find it in phrases which use the subjunctive (meaning 'that') it isn't always necessary. If there's a change of subject you will likely need it

• (I hope) Espero

(that) que

(he goes) vaya.

Espero que vaya.

But in your example there's no change of subject so you don't need it.

I might consider keeping these two little piggies in the city. Forget the farm!! :) - Nicole-B, Dec 20, 2011

I know aren't they cute! I want them too ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 20, 2011

That is....I have no words. so cute. Thanks Kiwi Girl. That makes sense - Ada-S, Dec 20, 2011

Great post Kiwi:) - nonombre, Dec 20, 2011

Thanx guys :) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 20, 2011

That's very helpful. I know what Ada-S means by the "technical bit" Sometimes by the time I've sorted that out i've lost the plot regarding the question. - caza, Dec 21, 2011

lol - you'll get there, it helps to think of the subjunctive as very useful way to show that you're not stressing that something is happening but just that you wish it, want it, or if it were the case etc - rather than thinking of it as the enemy rofl ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Dec 21, 2011

Answer 2

You are correct. The subjunctive is generated by a feeling/mood of supposition of non-factual reality: wanting, wishing, something that is not definite to actually happen.

I don't believe that "not definite to actually happen" is the correct criteria. The indicative is used with situations that are considered possible or probable, but not definite to actually happen. E.g. creo que opinions are not definitely true or - 0074b507, Dec 20, 2011

definitely going to happen. The 3rd conditional is totally theoretical (will never happen), but the 2nd conditional is contrary-to-fact but tells what will happen if the facts change. - 0074b507, Dec 20, 2011