Subjunctive — Sequence of Tenses

Subjunctive — Sequence of Tenses

There are actually four different subjunctive tenses: present subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive, present perfect subjunctive, and pluperfect subjunctive.

Note: The past participle added to the subjunctive tenses of haber forms the present perfect subjunctive (e.g. haya hablado) and the pluperfect subjunctive

(e.g. hubiera hablado),

a) Use of the present subjunctive: In sentences which require the use of the subjunctive, the present, future, and imperative in the principal clause are generally followed by the present subjunctive in the subordinate clause.

Espero que Juan venga a la fiesta.
I hope Juan comes to the party.

Dígale a Juan que venga a la fiesta.
Tell Juan to come to the party.

b) Use of the imperfect subjunctive: The imperfect subjunctive is used in the same way as the present subjunctive. However, whereas the present subjunctive is used when the principal verb of the sentence is in the present (or future) tense, the imperfect subjunctive is generally used whenever the principal verb is in past time (preterite, imperfect, or conditional).

Me gustó que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I liked it that Juan came to the party.

Esperaba que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I was hoping for Juan to come to the party.

Me gustaría que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I would like it for Juan to come to the party.

NOTE: The imperfect subjunctive is also used to express a softened statement or a polite request or desire.

Quisiera comprar este libro.
I would like to but this book.

c) Use of the present perfect subjunctive: In sentences which require the use of the subjunctive, the present perfect subjunctive, like the present subjunctive, is used when the verb of the main clause is in the present, future, or imperative tense. BUT, the present perfect subjunctive is used to express that the action indicated by the verb in the subjunctive happened prior to the action indicated by the main verb.

Espero que Juan haya venido a la fiesta.
I hope Juan came (has come) to the party.

NOTE: Some speakers also use the imperfect subjunctive in this case.

Espero que Juan viniera a la fiesta.
I hope Juan came (has come) to the party.

d) Use of the pluperfect subjunctive: In sentences which require the use of the subjunctive, the pluperfect subjunctive, like the imperfect subjunctive, is used when the verb of the main clause is in past time (preterite, imperfect, or conditional). BUT, the pluperfect subjunctive is used to express that the action indicated by the verb in the subjunctive happened prior to the action indicated by the main verb.

Esperaba que Juan hubiera venido a la fiesta.
I was hoping that Juan had come to the party.

Esperaría que Juan hubiera venido a la fiesta.
I would hope that Juan had come to the party.