lo dijera or lo hayas dicho

Question

Hello, I have a few questions about these 2 sentences.

No me acuerdo que lo dijera. No me acuerdo que lo haya dicho.

Are they both correct? If so, do they say the same thing? If not, why is the incorrect one wrong?

This had more problems than expected, once I thought about it, or , I'm even dimmer than usual.. - annierats, May 28, 2012

Answer 1

The Spanish looks great, but the English translations need some help.

No me acuerdo (de) que lo dijera. - I don't remember that you said it.

No me acuerdo (de) que lo haya dicho. - I don't remember that you have said it.

The differences are as subtle in Spanish as they are in English. One difference is that you cannot use the present perfect with words like "yesterday" or "last week."

No me acuerdo (de) que lo dijera ayer. - I don't remember that you said it yesterday.

In this example, you cannot say "lo haya dicho ayer" for the same reason you can't say "you have said it yesterday." You either say "you said it yesterday" or "you had said it yesterday."

I hope this helps, and if I've made a mistake anywhere, I'm open to corrections

Thanks Guitar, I got confused, or had a glass too many of wine.. - annierats, May 28, 2012

Seems everybody is right, more or less. Saludos, amigo! - annierats, May 28, 2012

Why do you put 'de' in paranthesis? That's another challenge for me - knowing when it's que or de que. - Erin, May 28, 2012

That's a gray area, because most of the time (like in this example), using it and omitting it are both correct, but there are other times when you can only do one or the other. - GuitarWarrior, May 28, 2012

Other examples that use both ways are "el hecho (de) que," "la probabilidad (de) que," and more. You can get a sense of the pattern by reading, and this should also be covered under a "prepositions" lesson if you're still not sure. - GuitarWarrior, May 28, 2012

You can also post a question on this website about "que" and "de que" if you like. :) - GuitarWarrior, May 28, 2012

Answer 2

Hello Erin,

to my mind they both are grammatically correct.

• "que lo dijera" uses imperfect of subjuntive.

• "que lo haya dicho" uses pretérito perfecto (present perfect).

In brief, two sentences are the same meaning.

In brief, *the* two sentences *have* the same meaning. Estoy de acuerdo contigo. :) - GuitarWarrior, May 28, 2012

Answer 3

Both mean something like: I can't remember what he/ or polite you may/might have said..

Or, perhaps I dont remember what I myself may have said?? Oh dear, clearly it's bedtime..

Bedtime???.... I haven't had dinner yet!!!! - josemaloru, May 28, 2012

Well, José there is big difference between Spain and England, we have supper at 7.. - annierats, May 28, 2012

Have you even had lunch?? - annierats, May 28, 2012

I have! It's almost 4PM where I live, and I eat lunch at 1PM EST. Wow, it *is* almost bed time for you, Annie! :) - GuitarWarrior, May 28, 2012

Well, Guitar, in France they eat at 12! Supper at 6 pm, bed at 9. I think. I suppose folowed by French kisses? - annierats, May 28, 2012

For me, breakfast at 8am, lunch at 1pm, dinner at 6:30pm, and bedtime at 10pm. As far as greetings and goodbyes, I usually hug, elbow bump or special hand-shake every relative or close friend I have. - GuitarWarrior, May 28, 2012

Answer 4

I think what sleepy Annierats is trying to say - and correctly so - is No me acuerdo que lo dijera....... I don't remember that I said it. And No me acuerdo que lo haya dicho.......I don't remember having said it.

Ah, thanks to you too, I think I'll just have another glass of wine and hope I never hear this out of context. I vote for everybody. Thanks for helping! - annierats, May 28, 2012

Wit the 'me'ok, I get it. Dim as usual. Thanks! - annierats, May 28, 2012