2

I am trying to say:

Finally, I believe that the negative effects of globalization would be able to be stopped if the politicians worked to reverse the effects now.

So I came up with the sentence:

Finalmente, creo que los efectos negativos de globalización podrían ser evitado si los políticos trabajaron para invertir los efectos ahora.

I know invertir also means "to invest". Is it correct to use it as "revert" in this case?

1 Answer 1

5

No, the right word would be "revertir".

It is true that "invertir" may mean "invest", but it can also mean "invert" (not "reverse").

Notice that your translation contains a few mistakes:

Finalmente, creo que los efectos negativos de LA globalización podrían ser evitadoS si los políticos trabajarAn para REvertir los efectos ahora. (I don't like this "ahora", and would feel more inclined to use "ahora mismo", "ya mismo", "de inmediato".)

2
  • Trabajaran as in the future? Would it be more correct to use that than the preterite in this instance?
    – Squid Dev
    Mar 2, 2017 at 17:45
  • @SquidDev Not "trabajarán" (future), but "trabajaran" (without a written stress). "trabajaran" is the imperfect preterite of the subjunctive and, just like "worked", it can be used to refer to the future when combined with a conditional tense: Sería bueno que trabajaran... (It'd be good/fine if they worked...)
    – Gustavson
    Mar 2, 2017 at 17:51

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.