Why did I get these sentences wrong?? :0

Question

Hi!

Here are two (correct) setences in Spanish:

1. Marta, sal para casa en cuanto puedas. (Do commands indicate subjunctive?)
2. Si tú dijeras eso yo estaría mortificada. (I didn't think this was a sentence that needed subjunctive--the sentence seems like it isn't that hypothetical...well wait. I don't know).

Please help! Muchas Gracias

Answer 1

For sentence 1, see this link on this site:

Time Limitations

If you were to say that (contrary to fact subjunctive in English - though not apparent), I would be (conditional) mortified. Reversing persons you can see it better in English: If I were (not I was because it's subjunctive) to say that, you would be mortified.

Answer 2

En cuanto means as soon as- and works like cuando- if it refers to a future action (something that has not happened yet)- it takes subjunctive.

It has nothing to do with the command, except that a command generally refers to a future action- we don’t say do it yesterday (well not if we are being rational and serious anyway).

Review here

http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/SUBJADV.HTM

The second, because estaría is would be, is indeed hypothetical. If you were to say this I would be mortified. Not if you say this I will be mortified.

A very classic formula –imperfect subjunctive plus conditional. See here (number 6):

http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/PERSUAD1.HTM