Preguntarse with Imperfect Subjunctive?

Question

I know that you never use the present subjunctive after "si", but what about the imperfect subjunctive?

For example: "me pregunto si ellos fueran/fueron al concierto."

Gracias

you already got your answer, elefantita, good question :) - 006595c6, Aug 26, 2017

Answer 1

It doesn´t matter what the verb conjugation is, after si we use indicative.

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Of course, as Ken mentions, we do use subjunctive after si in hypothetical sentences, but I don´t think you asked about this. Did you?

Answer 2

Me pregunto si ellos irán al concierto.
Me pregunto si ellos van a ir al concierto.

Both sentences above are ok if the concert is in the future. No subjunctive necessary.

If the concert was in the past: again no subjunctive.

Me pregunto si ellos fueron al concierto.
Me pregunto si ellos han ido al concierto. (I think this is the tense in Spain)

Answer 3

I know that you never use the present subjunctive after "si", but what about the imperfect subjunctive?

Julian has answered your question regarding the example you provided. With Me pregunto si, what follows will always be in the indicative, never the subjunctive.

It seems to me, that from your opening sentence, which I quoted above, you are asking:

I know that you never use the present subjunctive after "si" , but is this also true regarding the imperfect subjunctive? (i.e. that you can never used the imperfect subjunctive after si) No, this is not correct/true as I explain below:

You can use the imperfect subjunctive after si in unreal or contrary to fact conditional statements such as the following. In these cases, the result clause uses the conditional or conditional perfect tense.

Si yo fuera rico compraría un coche.
If I were rich I would buy a car.

¿Qué harías si fueras presidente?
What would you do if you were president?

Si Juana estuviera aquí, ¿le dirías la verdad?
If Juana were here [she isn't here], would you tell her the truth?

Si la hubiera visto, habría dicho algo.
If I had seen her I would have said something.

Si hubieras venido, te habrías divertido mucho.
If you had come [you didn't come] you would have had a great time.

¿Habrías ido a la fiesta si yo la hubiera planeado?
Would you have gone to the party if I had planned it?