In Spanish, the pluperfect subjunctive is used to express wishes, comments, feelings or doubt on actions that have already been completed or that will be completed in the future.

We use the pluperfect subjunctive in the dependent clause when the main clause is in one of the following tenses:

We use the pluperfect subjunctive:

1. In the dependent clause when the subjunctive action has already taken place 

• Me sorprendió que no hubieras venido a trabajar ayer
• No era extraño que hubiesen gastado todo el dinero

2. When an action could have taken place in the past but did not 

• Me encantaría si no hubiese llovido
• Estarían felices si los hubieras escuchado

3. In conditional clauses with If 

• Si hubieras estudiado, habrías pasado el examen.
• Habrían obtenido el cargo si se hubiesen preparado mejor.

The pluperfect subjunctive conjugation of model regular verbs (ar, er, ir) is:

In Spanish, the imperfect subjunctive is used with the following considerations:

1. When the verb of the main clause is in preterit or conditional and the subjunctive action takes place at the same time or after the action of the main clause

• Sería más útil si trabajaran en equipo (It would be more useful if they worked as a team)
• Ella no confirmó que él fuera a venir a la reunión (She didn’t confirm he would come to the meeting)
• La mamá esperaba que su hijo estudiara más (The mother hoped her son would study more)
• La policía exigió a los ciudadanos que tuvieran más precaución (The police demanded their citizens to be more cautious)
• El abogado le dijo a ella que dijera toda la verdad (The attorney told her to say all the truth)

2. To express uncertainty in the past

• Ellos no creían que Pedro triunfara en el exterior (They didn’t believe Peter would succeed abroad)
• Dudaban de que el profesor fuera demasiado estricto (They doubted that the teacher was too strict)

3. To point out something doesn’t exist or there is no total certainty of its existence

• Él tenía la esperanza de que lo ayudaran pronto (He had hope they would help him soon)
• ¿Ellos conocían a alguna persona que no tuviera muchos compromisos? (Did they know anyone with not so many assignments?)
• No estaba muy seguro de que funcionara como ellos esperaban (I wasn’t too sure that it was going to work as they expected)

4. To express dependency among adverb clauses

• El niño dependía del apoyo que su madre le diera (The kid was depending on the support his mother would give him)
• Él cantó con el alma para que ella se sintiera feliz (He sang from the bottom of his heart to make her feel happy)
• Una buena planificación era clave para que el proyecto funcionara (A good planning was key for the project to work)

5. When the main clause is in present, but the subordinated clause happened before, and it’s not related to the present.

• Me place mucho de que tuvieras todo listo (I’m glad to know you had everything ready)
• Ella se siente muy bien de que la ayudaran (She feels very well for being helped)

6. To express courtesy.

• Quisiera venir más temprano para ayudarte (I’d like to come earlier to help you)
• ¿Quisieras hablar más despacio por favor? (Would you please talk more slowly?)
• Voy a entrar si se me permitiese (I’m going to enter if I’d be allowed)

7. In conditional sentences with “if”

• Si no lloviera todos los días, haría más ejercicio en el parque (If it didn’t rain every day, I’d do more exercise in the park)
• Tendría más felicidad si ayudara a más personas (I’d be happier if I helped more people)

The imperfect subjunctive conjugation of model regular verbs (ar, er, ir) is:

Some irregular verbs have the following changes when conjugated in the imperfect subjunctive:

o changes to u as in poder.

e changes to i as in sentir.

The present subjunctive in Spanish

In Spanish, the present subjunctive is used with the following considerations:

1. To express probability, doubt or uncertainty

• Tal vez ella viaje mañana (Perhaps she would travel tomorrow)
• Quizá él beba menos esta vez (Maybe he drinks less this time)
• Dudo que ellos trabajen hasta tarde (I doubt they work until late)

2. To express desires or feelings

• ¡Espero que tengas un excelente día! (I hope you have an excellent day!)
• ¡Ojalá me aumenten el sueldo! (Perhaps I get my salary increased!)
• ¡Que duermas bien! (Have a nice sleep!)

3. In modal sentences with “como”, “de manera que”, “según”, etc.

• ¡Ayuda como quieras! (Help however you like!)
• ¡Escribe según lo que entiendas! (Write according to what you understand!)
• ¡Habla de manera que no ofendas! (Talk as long as you do not offend!)

4. After “cuando”, “tan pronto como”, “antes de que”, “sin que”, “para que”, “aunque”, “a pesar de que”, “por más que”

• Hablaremos cuando vengas (We will talk when you come)
• Puedes jugar tan pronto como termines tus tareas (You can play as soon as you finish your homework)
• ¡Compra la computadora ahora antes de que suba el precio! (Buy the computer now before its price get increased!)
• ¡Dí la verdad sin que te sientas mal! (Say the truth without feeling uncomfortable!)
• Él trabaja mucho para que le paguen más (He works a lot in order to get paid more)
• Aunque te enojes, lo haré (Despite you get angry, I’ll do it)
• El niño viajará el año entrante a pesar de que no tenga dinero (The kid will travel next year despite he has no money)
• Por más que le hable él no obedece (Despite I talk to him he doesn’t obey)

5. To give opinions with verbs such as “pensar”, “creer”, “considerar” in negative sentences

• No pienso que puedan lograrlo (I don’t think they can achieve it)
• Él no cree que sea un auto nuevo (He doesn’t think it is a new car)
• Ella no considera justo que ellos ganen más dinero (She doesn’t think it’s fair men earn more money)

6. To give pieces of advice or commands

• ¡Te ruego que la llames con más frecuencia! (I beg you to call her more often!)
• ¡Te prohíbo que juegues con armas! (I prohibit you to play with guns!)
• ¡No me gusta que le hables así! (I don’t like you to talk like this to him or her!)

The present subjunctive conjugation of model regular verbs (ar, er, ir) is:

Some irregular verbs have the following changes when conjugated in the present subjunctive:

u changes to ue as in jugar.

o changes to ue as in poder.

e changes to ie as in sentir.