Sequence of tenses

C1

Grammar path · Lesson 79 of 86 · Stage C1 · Subjunctive nuances

You need this point whenever a main verb triggers the subjunctive and the sentence moves between present and past. The core idea is that the subordinate verb follows the time frame of the main verb. A main verb in the present, future or imperative takes the present subjunctive (quiero que vengas). A main verb in the past or conditional takes the imperfect subjunctive (quería que vinieras, me gustaría que vinieras). For something already finished, use haya + participio or hubiera + participio. Do not confuse it with reported speech: dijo que venía reports a fact in the indicative, while dijo que viniera reports an order and needs the subjunctive.

Practise this lesson · 10 sentences

Form

Present main verb → present subjunctiveverbo principal en presente + que + presente de subjuntivo
Quiero que vengas a la fiesta.I want you to come to the party.
Past main verb → imperfect subjunctiveverbo principal en pasado + que + imperfecto de subjuntivo
Quería que vinieras a la fiesta.I wanted you to come to the party.
Conditional main verb → imperfect subjunctiveverbo principal en condicional + que + imperfecto de subjuntivo
Me gustaría que vinieras a la fiesta.I would like you to come to the party.
Present main verb, finished action → perfect subjunctiveverbo principal en presente + que + pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo
Me alegra que hayas venido.I'm glad you came.

When to use it

Wishes and requests

Verbs like querer, pedir or decir (as an order) trigger the subjunctive, and their tense decides present or imperfect subjunctive.

Te pedí que llegaras temprano.I asked you to arrive early.
Mis padres quieren que estudie medicina.My parents want me to study medicine.

Purpose with para que

Para que always takes the subjunctive; if the main verb is in the past, switch to the imperfect subjunctive.

Lo explico otra vez para que todos lo entiendan.I'll explain it again so that everyone understands it.
Lo expliqué otra vez para que todos lo entendieran.I explained it again so that everyone would understand it.

Feelings or doubt about something already done

When the action in the que clause is already finished, use haya + participio after a present verb and hubiera + participio after a past verb.

Me sorprende que no te hayan llamado.I'm surprised they haven't called you.
Me molestó que no me hubieras avisado.It bothered me that you hadn't told me.

Main verb tense → subjunctive tense

present / future / commandquiero / querré / dile que venga
preterite / imperfect / conditionalquería / quise / querría que viniera
present perfectle he pedido que venga (o viniera)
earlier actionno creo que haya venido · no creía que hubiera venido

Signal words

para queantes de quesin queojalácomo si

Don't confuse it with

Reported speech in the past: dijo que…

After dijo que, a reported fact uses the indicative shifted back (dijo que venía); only a reported order or request follows the subjunctive sequence (dijo que viniera).

Frequently asked questions

What tense follows quería que?

Use the imperfect subjunctive: quería que vinieras. A past main verb pulls the subordinate verb into the past.

Why does me gustaría que take the imperfect subjunctive?

The conditional counts as a past tense for the sequence, so say me gustaría que vinieras, not me gustaría que vengas.

When do I use haya + participio?

When the main verb is in the present but the action in the que clause is already finished: me alegra que hayas venido.

What is the difference between dijo que venía and dijo que viniera?

The first reports information: he said he was coming. The second reports an order: he told me to come.

Does ojalá follow the sequence of tenses?

Ojalá has no main verb, so the subjunctive tense shows likelihood: ojalá venga is possible, ojalá viniera is unlikely.

More in Sentences and connectors

Question words: qué, dónde, cuándo…A1Negation: no, nunca, nada, nadieA1Real conditions: si + presentB1Relative clauses: que, quien, dondeB1Reported speech: dice que…B1Linking words: pero, sin embargo, por esoB1Unreal conditions: si + imperfect subjunctiveB2Past unreal conditions: si hubiera…B2Reported speech in the past: dijo que…B2Relative clauses with prepositions: en el que, con quienB2Cause and concession: como, ya que, a pesar de queB2Other conditional forms: a no ser que, de + infinitive, con tal de queC1Result and purpose: de modo que, a fin de queC1
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