some problems related to subjunctive
I can't understand some examples in lesson 3.1 very well, such as,
'Me sorpendí que comparara un anillo'(I was surprised that he bought a ring), Estoy enojado de que el tren llegara tarde.(I'm angry coz the train arrived late) I don't get it, why 'comparara' and 'llegara'? are those subjunctive for past tense?
and another question, 'Es verdad que el sol subiré'(it's true that sun will rise), I think it should be subirá instead of ''subiré".
I'll be grateful if anyone could help me out.
2 Answers
The short answer is, yes. You suspected correctly that this is for the subjunctive in the past.
Specifically, Comprara and Llegara are in the "imperfect subjunctive."
In the first example, surprised is in the past tense, so the subjunctive has to be in the past. In the second example, the train arrived late, so the verb conjugation needs to reflect the past (that the train already arrived).
There are two subjunctive forms that indicate past: 1.) imperfect subjuntive and; 2.) pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo (instead of llegara, it would be hubiera llegado)
Hope this helps. I had the exact questions not very long ago.
Finally, you are right. It should be subirá, not subiré. 3rd person singular. Good looking out!
Me sorprendi que comprara.. Me sorprendi que despues de pensarlo mucho comprara....(after a lot of thinking he bought the ring). Let me put these in another tense that way is more evident Me sorprendi que haya comprado ..(ayer) In the second sentence you are absolutely right, El sol subira (yo subire, tu subiras, el subira)
