Hypothetical past comparisons
To compare someone's behavior to a hypothetical event that happened in the past, use the phrase como si (as if) followed by the past perfect subjunctive.
The past perfect subjunctive is formed with the imperfect subjunctive of haber plus a past participle:
- hubiera
- hubieras
- hubiera
- hubiéramos
- hubieran
- past participle (e.g., probado, organizado)
| He pretended to eat the caviar as if he had tried it before. | Fingía comer el caviar como si lo hubiera probado antes. |
| The guest bragged as if he had organized the banquet. | El invitado presumió como si hubiera organizado el banquete. |
Describing social behavior
You will often use this structure to describe people showing off, acting arrogantly, or feigning surprise at social events.
| The arrogant guest looked down on us as if we had ruined the banquet. | El invitado arrogante nos menospreció como si hubiéramos arruinado el banquete. |
When the hypothetical past event is negative, simply place no right before the conjugated form of haber.
| She looked at us with disdain, as if we had not been born into the elite. | Ella nos miró con desprecio, como si no hubiéramos nacido en la élite. |
You will also hear phrases like como si nada hubiera pasado (as if nothing had happened) when someone ignores an awkward situation or their own past hypocrisy.
| The eccentric host greeted us with courtesy, as if nothing had happened. | El anfitrión extravagante nos saludó con cortesía, como si nada hubiera pasado. |
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