We have to translate the following sentences into spanish [we're working on subjunctive -- adverbial clauses.]
He will insist until she accepts.
My answer: Insistirá hasta que acepte.
Is this right? I know insistir often carries along "en", but it doesn't seem to make sense here in translation.
I do not know anyone who can do that without your explaining how.
My answer: No sé nadie quien puede hacerlo sin que expliques como.
This looks like one big mess to me. The english was worded in a way that we have not learned how to say in class. How can I fix this sentence up?
Thank you for using the Jiskha Homework Help Forum. Excelente for the first one. In the second not saber but conocer = No conozco (a) nadie quien pueda hacerlo sin que expliques cómo. This is a negative antecedent (nadie) requiring the subjunctive so you end up with 2 subjunctive verbs in this sentence!
Do the last 2 lines refer to the second Spanish sentence? Hopefully you only had the two to translate?
Although you are working on adverbial clauses, you may have already studied indefinite antecedents? (alguien, nadie, etc.)
Yes, the last 2 lines refer to the second Spanish sentence. And yes, you are correct that the word "nadie" is an indefinite antecedent, which requires the use of the subjunctive.
Here's a breakdown of the revised sentence:
- Instead of "sé", use "conozco" to convey the meaning of "knowing someone".
- "Nadie" can be used as the indefinite antecedent meaning "nobody".
- Use "quien" to introduce the relative clause, which means "who".
- Instead of "puede", use "pueda" to agree with the subjunctive mood.
- Instead of "sin que", use "sin" followed by the verb in the infinitive form.
- Use "expliques cómo" to mean "your explaining how".
So the revised sentence would be: "No conozco a nadie quien pueda hacerlo sin explicar cómo."
This sentence reflects the proper use of the subjunctive when talking about indefinite antecedents and adverbial clauses. Keep up the good work!