Sequence of tenses (correlación de tiempos) with the subjunctive
Which subjunctive tense in the subordinate clause matches which tense in the main clause.
The principle: the main clause determines the subjunctive tense
When the main clause requires a subjunctive in the subordinate clause (wish, doubt, emotion, an impersonal expression...), the tense of the main clause determines which subjunctive tense you use in the subordinate clause.
There are two large groups:
1. Main clause in the present/future → subordinate clause in presente or pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo.
2. Main clause in the past/conditional → subordinate clause in imperfecto or pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo.
Examples
Group 1: main clause in present/future
If the main clause is in the present, future, present perfect or imperative, the subordinate clause uses:
- the present subjunctive for a simultaneous or future action;
- the present perfect subjunctive (haya + participle) for an action that is/will already be completed by that point.
Examples
Group 2: main clause in past/conditional
If the main clause is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect or conditional, the subordinate clause uses:
- the imperfect subjunctive for an action simultaneous with or later than the main clause;
- the pluperfect subjunctive (hubiera/hubiese + participle) for an action already completed before that moment.
Examples
Overview table
This table summarizes all combinations. It is the handiest reference for B2 subjunctive exercises.
| Hoofdzin (indicatief) | Bijzin (subjunctief) | Voorbeeld |
|---|---|---|
| Presente (quiero) | Presente de subjuntivo (vengas) | Quiero que vengas. |
| Futuro (querré) | Presente de subjuntivo (ayudes) | Querré que me ayudes. |
| Imperativo (pídele) | Presente de subjuntivo (venga) | Pídele que venga. |
| Pretérito indefinido (quise) | Imperfecto de subjuntivo (vinieras) | Quise que vinieras. |
| Imperfecto (quería) | Imperfecto de subjuntivo (estudiaras) | Quería que estudiaras. |
| Pluscuamperfecto (había pedido) | Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo (hubieran llegado) | Había pedido que hubieran llegado antes. |
| Condicional (me gustaría) | Imperfecto de subjuntivo (ayudaras) | Me gustaría que me ayudaras. |
Examples
💡 Tips
🎯 Practise this topic with 10 interactive exercises (10)
Related grammar
← Verbs with fixed prepositions (régimen preposicional)B2-level discourse connectors →
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