Using the subjunctive to express past action?
Hi, this is my first time here! The guideline is that we must use a subjunctive sentence in a paragraph about a time we tried something new. We've only learned what I think is present subjunctive, so I'm not sure if this is the correct way to create a subjunctive sentence that has to do with the past.
I'm very lost, because searching up the subjunctive brings up a lot of different forms. We've only learned it in a way that says that somebody imposes their will upon another ("I recommend that you...") Am I mixing things up or is that correct?
I want to say, "my father wanted my sister to stay at the hotel, but she went out with her friends."
I have: "Mi padre quiso mi hermana que quedar en el hotel, pero ella salió con sus amigas."
I think that's grammatically correct, but is it a subjunctive form?
Thank you!!
1 Answer
Sorry, but your sentence is not correct. After the verb querer--which should be in the imperfect, you also need past (imperfect) subjunctive in the second clause.
Mi padre quería que mi hermana se quedara en el hotel, pero (ella) salió con sus amigos.
The reason for imperfect tense "quería" is there is a change in meaning when querer is put into the preterite. I means "he/she/Ud. tried (to do something)
It changes even more in the negative preterite. It means that "he/she/Us" refused to do something.
For more information --a summary on the subjunctive. Try these links. You can find more on this by going to the menu, clicking on it, scrolling down do "verbs" and you'll find a bunch on the subjunctive.
Buena suerte.
