LESSON XXXVI

Nada existe en la tierra que no sirve para algo.[36]

—PÉREZ GALDÓS.

109. The word ever is translated nunca in a negative sentence. Meaning at any time, it is rendered una or alguna vez. As a suffix it is -quiera, and the compound word is followed by que and the subjunctive.

Now I deserve you less than ever.

Ahora te merezco menos que nunca.—JUAN VALERA.

Do you think he will ever come to see us?

¿Cree usted que venga una vez a vernos?

I would follow her wherever she went.

La seguiría adondequiera que fuese.—PALACIO VALDÉS.

110. The verb to pass meaning to go by (through, past) is rendered pasar por delante de.

They passed me in groups.

Pasaron en grupos por delante de mí.—PALACIO VALDÉS.

(a) In reference to time, pass is rendered transcurrir when used intransitively.

I slept confidently that night and let the next day pass.

Confiado dormí aquella noche y dejé transcurrir el día siguiente.

—PALACIO VALDÉS.

(b) To pass on meaning to continue one's way is rendered seguir el camino; meaning to hand to, give to it is translated entregar or dar a.

When you have finished with it, pass it on to your friend.

Cuando Vd. haya acabado con él, entréguelo a su amigo.

He stopped to speak to us, but passed on immediately.

Se detuvo a hablarnos, pero siguió en seguida su camino.

(c) To pass (promote) is rendered aprobar; to pass (be promoted) is ser aprobado.

You will pass of course, but let's see if that professor will pass me.

Tu serás aprobado, eso sí, pero a ver si aquel profesor me aprobará a mí.

111. The verb to pay or pay for is usually pagar. Meaning to be profitable it is rendered ser provechoso.

There were many there that paid nothing because they had nothing.

Muchos había allí que nada pagaron porque nada tenían.

Everybody knows that his mines did not pay.

Todo el mundo sabe que sus minas no le eran provechosas.

(a) To pay attention to has two translations. Meaning to listen to it is poner atención, meaning to heed, act upon, mind it is hacer caso de.

They never paid any attention to him when he was talking to them.

Nunca le ponían atención cuando les hablaba.

She used to talk to his aunt without paying any attention to him.

Hablaba con su tía sin hacer caso de él.—PALACIO VALDÉS.

112. EXERCISES

(a) 1. De todo eso no hice caso sino que siguiera adelante. 2. Ha pasado muchas noches entregado al trabajo. 3. No hay que afirmar que pasamos por la casa de Pepita. 4. ¿No querían nunca hacerlo sin que Vd. los ayudase? 5. Por dondequiera que vayamos tenemos que llevarlos a ellos. 6. ¿Cómo quieres aprender si nunca pones atención? 7. Parece que no tienen la intención de pagarle. 8. No le haga Vd. caso que se está burlando de Vd., nada más. 9. Transcurrió la noche sin que nadie en la casa lograra dormirse. 10. En plena noche los oimos pasar por delante de la casa.

(b) 1. We have never had the money to pay for the house although we have always wanted to buy it. 2. Do you know that man who has just passed the house? 3. My son has written me that he has passed all his examinations. 4. I don't believe that he will ever finish what he is doing. 5. Whoever did this knows how to do it well. 6. Don't pay any attention to them. 7. Whatever book you choose, pay cash for it (pagar al contado). 8. I have finished with this and now I am going to pass it on to my younger brother. 9. Did you ever see the portrait of my father that that painter painted? 10. And so a quarter of an hour passed, and the procession passed the house again.