Breakdown of Даже если бы петиция не помогла, неравнодушным людям не сиделось бы дома.
не
not
дома
at home
люди
people
помочь
to help (perfective)
Questions & Answers about Даже если бы петиция не помогла, неравнодушным людям не сиделось бы дома.
Why is бы used twice in this sentence?
The sentence has two clauses: the hypothetical concessive clause introduced by даже если бы (even if) and the main clause. Because the entire scenario is unreal or hypothetical, both the condition and the result require the subjunctive mood. This is formed by using the past tense verb plus the particle бы in each separate clause.
Why are the concerned people in the dative case (неравнодушным людям) instead of the nominative?
The main clause uses an impersonal construction. Instead of an active sentence like 'people wouldn't stay home', Russian phrases this as an internal state happening to the people. In such impersonal constructions, the logical subject experiencing the feeling or state must take the dative case.
What does the impersonal reflexive verb не сиделось add to the meaning compared to the regular verb не сидели?
If the sentence used the active form не сидели бы, it would simply state the fact: 'they wouldn't stay'. The impersonal reflexive form не сиделось бы expresses an uncontrollable internal urge. It implies they wouldn't have the peace of mind to sit at home, or they simply couldn't bring themselves to do it.
How does неравнодушным translate to 'concerned'?
Literally, неравнодушный means 'not indifferent' (from равный meaning 'equal' and душа meaning 'soul'). In Russian, this is the most natural way to describe active, caring people who are 'concerned' about a cause and refuse to just stand by.