Ch 36 · Lesson 11Spanish · Chapter 36 · Lesson 11 · Grammar primer

Por más que: however much

, (a real effort, indicative) against (left open, subjunctive). Plus the mistakes.

The short version

: the mood says whether it is real

, .

However hard I try, I can't.

Why?

and however much. With the indicative it is a real effort you are making: , . With the subjunctive it is left open or brushed aside: , a .

and the effort and deny the result. The mood depends on what you mean:

Meaning	Spanish	English
a real effort	`, .`	However hard I try, I can't.
possible	`, .`	However much you insist, I'm not going.
future	`, .`	However much you study, you won't pass without sleep.
with a noun	`, .`	However much money he/she has, he/she isn't happy.

The indicative states something that is really happening (I am trying). The subjunctive leaves it open or brushes it aside, just as with aunque.

The other slip is using for a proportion. "The more I read, the more I learn" ties two changes together, so it is :

Going further: The patterns at a glance and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

Practise this lesson

One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.

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Lesson 11 of 30 in this chapter