The Past Subjunctive (also known as the Imperfect Subjunctive) in Spanish is used to express wishes, emotions, doubts, or hypothetical situations related to past events, or in conditional sentences. It is essential for mastering nuanced, complex sentences, especially in literature and advanced conversation.
- Expresses subjectivity about past events or situations
- Used in dependent clauses after triggers that require the subjunctive
- Common in “if” clauses and reported speech
Usage
1. After a Past/Were Trigger
When the main clause is in the past, or you’re referring to past/were situations, use the past subjunctive in the dependent clause.
- Quería que... (I wanted that...)
- Esperaban que... (They hoped that...)
- Fue necesario que... (It was necessary that...)
Example:
- Ella quería que tú estudiaras más.
(She wanted you to study more.)
- Me sorprendió que ellos vinieran tarde.
(It surprised me that they came late.)
Only past or conditional expressions like 'pidió' or 'esperaba' trigger a past subjunctive.
2. Hypothetical/Conditional Statements
In “if” clauses that are contrary to fact or hypothetical, the past subjunctive is used:
- Si yo fuera... (If I were...)
- Si tú tuvieras... (If you had...)
Example:
- Si yo tuviera dinero, viajaría por el mundo.
(If I had money, I would travel the world.)
- Si ellos pudieran, ayudarían.
(If they could, they would help.)
Use past subjunctive in 'if' clauses for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations.
3. Polite Requests or Suggestions (Past)
Using the past subjunctive softens requests or suggestions, especially in formal or hypothetical contexts:
- Quisiera... (I would like...)
- Sería bueno que... (It would be good if...)
Example:
- Quisiera que me ayudaras con este proyecto.
(I would like you to help me with this project.)
- Sería importante que ustedes estudiaran para el examen.
(It would be important for you all to study for the exam.)
Common Verbs That Trigger the Past Subjunctive
Verbs of desire, emotion, expectation, or preference like querer, pedir, esperar, preferir trigger the past subjunctive when in the past.
| Verb Type | Examples (Past + Trigger) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Desire/Wish | Querer, Desear, Preferir | Ella quiso que yo fuera feliz. |
| Emotion | Alegrarse, Temer, Sorprender | Me sorprendió que salieras tarde. |
| Suggestion/Need | Pedir, Recomendar, Exigir | El profesor pidió que estudiáramos. |
| Doubt/Denial | Dudar, Negar | Dudaban que fuera posible. |
| Impersonal Expressions | Es necesario que..., Es probable que... | Era importante que asistieras. |
Conclusion
The past subjunctive is central to expressing nuanced ideas about the past, especially in dependent clauses and hypotheticals.
- Use after past-tense main clauses, or for views on past events.
- Apply in hypothetical “if” clauses for unreal situations.
- Form by modifying the -ron preterite stem with subjunctive endings.
Use the past subjunctive after past triggers, for hypotheticals, and for wishes about the past.