How would I say this? "You are behaving as though the water supply will be cut off." I'm looking for the rule for using subjunctive like "jakoby" with a future verb. Thank you Jeff
Hi Jeff, you can translate the sentence as "Chováš se, jako by měli vypnout dodávku vody." - You are behaving as if they (the water company) should cut off the water supply. Future tense is implied here. I can't think of another way to express future tense using "jako by". By the way, "jako by" should be two words if the "by" is part of a complex verb form ("měli by vypnout"). "Jakoby" written as one word usually relates to an adverb or adjective and expresses a comparison or likeness. You can see the difference in these two sentences: "Vypadal, jako by se nudil." x "Vypadal jakoby znuděně." (He looked as if he was bored.)
Interestingly, this parallels English: "If he should come, I will see him". Here "should" implies an unknown future condition. But it can also denote obligation: "I should do this". The same appears to be true with "mít/měl".
You’re right. “Měli by” implies a recommendation or obligation, while “jako by měli” expresses a potential future condition.
