Gustar and imperfect subjunctive

Question

19th June: Word of the Day = el cuento

The 1st example: "De pequeña, a María le gustaba que su padre le leyera cuentos de hadas. "

I cannot work out why "leer" is in the imperfect subjunctive here.

Answer 1

In this case, "Leer" is in the imperfect subjunctive because "Le gustaba que..." is an impersonal expression, that is, a phrase that proceeds a verb in the subjunctive. And since this phrase is in a past tense (the imperfect), the subjunctive also needs to be in the past.

These are some links that further explain this phenomenon:

Study Spanish Subjunctive Impersonal Expression.

E-Learn Spanish Subjunctive

Impersonal Statements in Spanish: About.com

Thank you very much for this. I will follow up on the links you have suggested. - J_G_Duff, Jun 20, 2012

You're very welcome! I hope they help you! - PumpkinCalabaza, Jun 20, 2012

Answer 2

"Gustar que..." I would assume always takes the subjunctive.

Me gustó que vinieras.

I liked it that you came.

Yes. Re-reading my text book, I think it falls into the "Emotional statements or comments" category: "I'm happy that... He's said that..." etc. - J_G_Duff, Jun 20, 2012

Answer 3

There may be a reason but I would have said,

De pequeña, a María le gustaría si su padre le leyera cuentos de hadas.

Answer 4

Gusta es un verbo que pide al subjuntivo:

1)-El verbo de la oración principal es en indicativo presente, futuro:

-subjunctivo presente para la simultaneidad

-subjuntivo pretérito perfecto para la anterioridad

Me gusta oue el entienda = I like he understands

Me gusta que el haya entendido = I like he understood

2)-El verbo de la oración principal es en un tiempo pasado del indicativo:

-subjuntivo imperfecto para la simultaneidad

-subjuntivo plusquamperfecto para la anterioridad

Me gustaba que el entendiera / entendiese = I liked he understands

Me gustaba que el hubiera / hubiese entendido = I liked he had understood

Gustar is a verb which asks the subjunctive:

1)-The verb of the main clause is in indicative present, future:

-subjuntivo presente for the simultaneity

-subjuntivo pretéito perfecto for the anteriority

Me gusta que el entienda = I like he understands

Me gusta que el haya entendido = I like he understood

2)-The verb of the main clause is in a past tense of the indicative:

-subjuntivo imperfecto for the simultaneity

-subjuntivo plusquamperfecto for the anteriority

Me gustaba que el entendiera / entendiese = I liked he understands

Me gustaba que el hubiera / hubiese entendido = I liked he had understood