Spanish language Q&A Forum

I think Alfredo got trapped! He only proposed after Susana got pregnant . . .

“Nunca hubieras pensado que hubiese tantas formas de disculparse.” Hola, this sentence is from the B2 Listening exercise on how to apologize in spanish. I don’t know why Nunca triggers the imperfect subjunctive. Maybe this example could be included in the examples in this lesson? Muchas gracias, Shirley. 

Is it because conseguir refers to a person not a thing?

I like the example Ellas trabajaron hasta tarde ayer because it is more clear than They worked late yesterday. Is it incorrect to say Ellas trabajaron tarde ayer (without "hasta")?

As an aside, I would never write "They worked late yesterday," because the tonal emphasis given to "late" and "yesterday" conveys subtle differences of meaning. 

For example:  Nosotros nos reímos siempre con esa película.   We always laugh at that movie.  I would have never known to use "con."  I would have chosen "a."

And, Ustedes se ríen de los niños.  You laugh at the children.  Again, I would have chosen "a" instead of "de."  Why "con" in one sentence and "de" in another?

Will there be lessons on how to choose the correct preposition, or is it a matter of memorising the conjunction with the noun?

How would you say, "They work as much as they play," meaning quantity of time they spend? 

¿«Trabajan tanto como juegan.»?

But if you say, "They work as well as they play," meaning with the same quality of enjoyment, ¿would you say, 

«Trabajan tan como juegan.»?

I'm having the same problem. Suddenly my lessons include non-european Spanish. Help!