Question 1

Why is بشویم (present subjunctive) used here when the event happened in the past?

Accepted Answer

In Farsi, the phrase نزدیک بود که (literally "it was close that") acts as a trigger for the present subjunctive for the action that almost happened. Even though the cold weather and the near-miss took place in the past, the subjunctive بشویم is used because it focuses on the potential of the action occurring rather than its actual completion.

Question 2

Why doesn't the verb in نزدیک بود match the "we" in the second half of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Unlike English where we say "we almost", the Farsi structure uses an impersonal phrase: literally, "it was close that we abandon...". Because "it" is the subject of the first part, نزدیک بود stays fixed in the third-person singular. The actual actors ("we") only appear as the subject of the subjunctive verb بشویم.

Question 3

How does the verb منصرف شدن work, and why do we use the preposition از with it?

Accepted Answer

The compound verb منصرف شدن means to give up on a plan, abandon an intention, or change one's mind about doing something. It naturally pairs with the preposition از (from) to indicate what plan is being abandoned. Therefore, از سفر منصرف بشویم translates to giving up on the idea of the trip.

Question 4

Is the که in نزدیک بود که strictly necessary, or can it be dropped?

Accepted Answer

Including it is standard in written Farsi, but in spoken or informal contexts, the که is very often dropped. You will frequently hear this exact structure shortened to نزدیک بود از سفر منصرف بشویم without any change in meaning.

هوا خیلی سرد بود و نزدیک بود که از سفر منصرف بشویم.

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