How to use the past subjunctive.

Question

I'd watched a lesson earlier, about the past subjunctive using "haya and hubiera, and I'd understood how to use "haya y hubiera, and what's the difference between them, but later on I'd seen a lesson about using " hablara" for the past subjunctive and now I'm completly lost. Can you explain the difference between when to use (haya and hubiera) and ( the endings with era, or for ex: tuvieva) ?

tricky isn't it! :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jul 31, 2012

:) very. - Green1213, Jul 31, 2012

Answer 1

Remember… AS unMica and KiWi-girl said…the rules that govern the usage of a sunjunctive….applies to both present and imperfect subjunctives. Also, remember that the subordinate clause is where you’ll find the subjunctive.

Whether that subjunctive is imperfect or present depends on the primary clause. If the primary clause is present tense than the present subjunctive is used.

If the primary clause is preterite or imperfect than the imperfect subjunctive is used.

Also remember that…as far as subjunctives go…the present is to the future (present subjunctive) as the conditional is to the past (imperfect subjunctive).

Si tuviera alas volaría. If I had wings (but I don’t), I would fly. Si tuviera más dinero me compraría un coche.

Ojalá que hayan ganado. I hope that they have (this have denotes present reflection…about a past participle {thus a present subjunctive usage) won.

Si haya tiempo irámos. If there is (present tense) time (but theres not….present subjunctive haya) we will go.

Si hubiera tiempo habríamos ido. If there was time (but there wasn’t) we would have gone. ?

Era - is the third person imperfect of ser. It is not a subjunctive and can not be used as one. It paints the picture of the past...was/were/ use to...etc

Answer 2

You have to start with knowing when you need to use the subjunctive, once you have that mastered (no easy task, jeje) the simple rule for which subjunctive to use is:

If the governing verb is in a “present time” tense they you must use a “present time” tense of the subjunctive; (such as haya)

No creo que lo haya leído. (both verbs in the present tense)

I don't believe that you have read it.

But if the governing verb in a “past time” tense, you will nearly always use a “past time” subjunctive. (btw, the conditional tense is considered past time)

Yo no creía que él hubiera robado la tienda. (both verbs in a past tense)

I didn't believe that he had robbed the shop.

NB Use the simple subjunctive tense to express a simultaneous or future action but the perfect tense to indicate a previous activity.

Haya and hubiera are both from the verb haber. Hablara is from the verb hablar - so here are a couple of examples using the subjunctive form of hablar.

Es preciso que le hables. (both verbs in the present tense)

It's necessary that you talk to him.

No era preciso que hablara.

There was no need to talk. (both verbs in the past tense)

I hope that helps (smiley)

Gracias, por me ayudabas, y ya sé el subjunctive ( jaja) pero es que no sé como usar el pasado, pero ahora me ayudabas. :) thanks - Green1213, Jul 31, 2012

Answer 3

The rule is the same for when to conjugate the verbs in the past subjunctive. "Haya" and "hubiera" are conjugations of haber. "Hablara" is a conjugation of hablar.

Yo quería que me hablara ayer. Yo quería que me hubiera hablado ayer.

The meaning is almost exactly the same, the main verb of the phrase is just different.

Thank you. - Green1213, Jul 31, 2012

Answer 4

I guess my real question should be, " Is there really a certain time to use the endings with era, instead of haya or hubiera? (I'm still lost)