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The Subjunctive-Indicative Distinction (S/I)

 
  Introduction | S/I in Noun Clauses | S/I in Adjective Clauses | S/I in Adverbial Clauses | S/I in Si Clauses  
  Past subjunctive, Sequence of Tenses | Perfect Subjunctive Tenses | Subjunctive in Main Clauses | Subjunctive After Ojalá  
 
  USE OF PAST SUBJUNCTIVE AND SEQUENCE OF TENSES RULES  
 
  • Sequence of tenses (tense agreement) in subjunctive-requiring contexts:
    • Present Sequence: The present subjunctive is used when the main verb is present, present perfect, future, future perfect or imperative*:
      • Me pide / pedirá que lo lleve al centro. He asks / will ask me to take him downtown.
      • Busquen* Uds. libros que les interesen. Look for books that interest you.
      • Nunca me ha gustado que mi hijo pase tanto tiempo viendo la tele. I've never liked that my son spends so much time watching TV.
      • Tu padre se alegrará de que tus notas sean tan buenas. Your father will be glad that your grades are so good.
      • Ven a mi despacho después de que la secretaria te dé los documentos. Come to my office after the secretary gives you the documents.
    • Past Sequence: The past (imperfect) subjunctive is used if the main verb is past, pluperfect, conditional or conditional perfect::
      • Quería que lo hicieras. I wanted you to do it.
      • No creímos que él fuera el mejor candidato. We didn't believe that he was the best candidate.
      • Me gustaría que todos participaran en la discusión. I would like for everybody to participate in the discussion.
      • El jefe vino a la reunión. Habíamos dudado que viniera. The boss came to the meeting. We had doubted that he would come.
      • Iba a salir después de que mi colega me trajera la información que necesitaba. I was going to leave after mi colleague brought me the information that I needed.
    • The past subjunctive tenses are also used in si clauses.
    • The perfect subjunctive tenses also follow the above sequence-of-tenses rules:
      • Present Sequence: No creo que ellas hayan llegado. I don't think they've arrived.
      • Past Sequence: No creía que ellas hubieran llegado. I didn't think they had arrived.
 
 
 
  • *Common exceptions: Where appropriate, past subjunctive can be used in a noun clause after a present-tense verb expressing doubt1 or value judgement2, or in an adjective clause3:
    • Dudo1 que viniera. I doubt that he came.
    • Es bueno2 que tú no fueras con ellos. It's good that you didn't go with them.
    • Busco a alguien3 que estuviera aquí ayer a las tres. I'm looking for someone who was here at three yesterday.
  
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