Si tuviéramos una coma sí que funcionara

Question

Si tuviéramos una coma sí que funcionara

If we had a comma it would work, both imperfect subjunctive. Right?

Si tuvimos una coma doesn't work, because it means like you "had" it, not "if you had" or is there a better way to say this?

Una coma, Jeezz :) - cogumela, Jan 23, 2012

Huh, wierd error that one. - jeezzle, Jan 23, 2012

Answer 1

Si tuviéramos un coma sí que funcionara.

This is an unreal conditional clause, and grammatically it should be

Si tuviéramos un coma (sí que) funcionaría.

At least that's correct if the sí que isn't there. I think you still want the conditional with sí que, but it could change things in ways I don't understand.

Answer 2

cool

Padre - Jeremias, Jan 23, 2012

Answer 3

Ok so this type of clause goes "conditional , imperfect" and unlike the "hubiera / habría" type of clause, it cannot go "imperfect, imperfect" (hubiera, hubiera is fine or hubiera, habría) also, is it "conditional , imperfect" and "imperfect, conditional" either or?

I sort of think you can do both imperfect but one has to be 2nd imperfect like this:

Si tuviéramos un coma sí que funcionase. But I don't know, most of the grammar I have learned has been through osmosis and a few classes and books, but mostly I learn through tv shows, movies, talking with friends. So no grammar or not much.

As has been often mentioned, it is very common to use the imperfect subjunctive instead of the conditional in this construction. Very common, but not grammatically correcgt. - Jeremias, Jan 23, 2012

So you suggest that hubiera, hubiera is incorrect? On this case my information is founded. - jeezzle, Jan 23, 2012

Answer 4

Si tuviéramos + conditional?

I am not quite sure what is wrong... Is this what you were looking for?

Answer 5

the one not in the "if" clause should be in the conditional, if the one in the if clause is in the imperfect sunbjunctive. Which for funcionar would be "funcionaría"