Question 1

Why do we use the past perfect subjunctive (hubiera podido) here instead of the imperfect subjunctive (pudiera)?

Accepted Answer

Ojalá combined with the past perfect subjunctive expresses a regret or an impossible wish about something that already happened. If you used the imperfect subjunctive (Ojalá pudiera sobresalir), it would mean I wish I could stand out right now or in a future interview. Since this interview is over and the outcome cannot be changed, we need hubiera podido (had been able to).

Question 2

How does the grammar work with having two verbs (podido and sobresalir) right after hubiera?

Accepted Answer

Hubiera podido is the past perfect subjunctive of the verb poder. Because poder (to be able to) is a modal verb that requires an infinitive to complete its meaning, the main action verb sobresalir (to stand out) simply attaches in its infinitive form right after the past participle podido.

Question 3

The word sobresalir looks like it's made of two different words. Is that why it means to stand out?

Accepted Answer

Exactly! It is a compound word made of the prefix sobre- (over, above) and the verb salir (to go out, to come out). Literally meaning to come out above others, it translates perfectly to the English concepts of to stand out or to excel.

Question 4

Since the interview happened in the past, could I use aquella entrevista instead of esa entrevista?

Accepted Answer

You could, but it changes the feeling of time. Aquella implies a significant distance in the past, like an interview you had years ago. Esa is the standard way to say that for recent events or a topic you were just discussing, which is why it sounds more natural for an everyday regret like this.

Ojalá hubiera podido sobresalir en esa entrevista.

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