Conditional vs subjunctive perfect in a specific instance.

Question

Hi all,

OK, I just completed a 20 question practice exam and annoyingly got one of the questions wrong. It´s the one I was most doubtful on anyway, so if anyone could please offer any explanation and to why the right one is the right one, I´d be much obliged.

Gracias antemano.

Nunca pensé que ese papel protagonista ____ tanto mi carrera profesional. .

my wrong answer ---> habría marcado

.

the apparently correct answer ---> hubiera marcado

.

Why is the subjunctive (second) answer the correct one?

Thanks Roger

No te preocupes.Sin duda, Kiwi o alguién otro lo sepa . - annierats, Nov 12, 2013

Sin duda + indicative ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 14, 2013

And maybe alguien más ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 14, 2013

Answer 1

If you didn't think it you can't declare it.

Bien dicho, MC - 005faa61, Nov 13, 2013

I like that. Very helpful too. - rogspax, Nov 13, 2013

Thanks guys :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 13, 2013

Answer 2

Hesitant answer:

Pensar que is usually followed by the subjunctive and we are already in the past.-- I never reckoned that this paper/presentation would have affected my career so much .

wait,, pensar que is usually indicative from all I've learned so that doesn't fit for me. - rogspax, Nov 12, 2013

Wait again, you've forced me to notice the real deal (I think). Nunca pensar is like no pensar and this thus falls under NeGATION requiring subjunctive. Thanks Annie! - rogspax, Nov 12, 2013

Answer 3

hubiera is good

thx - rogspax, Nov 12, 2013

Answer 4

Because of the result of the theme of the sentence, Nunca pensé creates a wrong assumption, so subjunctive is necessary for marcar.

Also after hearing this type of sentence structure for a while, it will start to "sound right."

Thanks Julian. I need more of the "for a while" yet. At least in the past. it's just starting to feel sometimes rightish in the present, but my ears remain utterly uncalibrated in the past. Thanks. - rogspax, Nov 12, 2013