Using the subjunctive when talking in the past?
Hi, ive got a question about the past when using subjunctive expressions. In the present tense you'd say "quiero que hagas..." - I want you to.... But in the past would it be "quiero que hicieras..." - I wanted you to...
Any help and explanations would be great. Thanks.
1 Answer
Yes it all gets a bit tricky but, as far as I understand, if you use the governing verb in a present time tense (ie. resent, future, imperative, present perfect, future perfect) - like your 'quiero' example - then you have two choices when it comes to the subjunctive that follows - you use either the present subjunctive or present perfect subjunctive.
Present for simultaneous or future action/state
Quiero que vayas. I want you to go. Dudo que vaya. I doubt you will go.
Present perfect for prior state/action.
Dudo que hayan vendio. I doubt they came/have come.
But if the governing verb is in a past time tense (the conditional is included here) - then use the past (imperfect or past perfect) subjunctive.
Imperfect for simultaneous or future action/state
Esperaba que vinieran. I hoped that they were coming (right then) Esperaba que vinieran. I hoped that they would come (in the future).
Past perfect subjunctive for past action/state
Esperaba que hubieran venido. I hoped that they had come (before)
I hope that helps 
