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Tenses
SubjunctiveC1

Pluperfect subjunctive

For hypothetical, unrealized past situations – usually after 'si' and in unreal wishes.

Usage

For hypothetical, unrealized past situations – usually after 'si' and in unreal wishes.

Rules

4

1Formation

Imperfect subjunctive of 'haber' (hubiera, hubieras…) plus past participle.

  • si hubiera sabidoif I had knownhaber + participle
  • si lo hubieras dichoif you had said it

2Unreal past (si)

After 'si' it marks a condition that did not happen in the past.

  • Si hubiera tenido tiempo, te habría ayudado.If I had had time, I would have helped you.with conditional perfect
  • Si hubieran podido, habrían venido.If they had been able, they would have come.

3Unreal wishes

After 'ojalá' or 'como si' for unfulfilled wishes about the past.

  • Ojalá hubiera comido más.I wish I had eaten more.unfulfilled wish
  • Habla como si hubiera estado allí.He talks as if he had been there.

4In subordinate clauses

After triggers requiring the subjunctive, for an earlier, unreal event.

  • No creía que hubiera sido tan fácil.I didn't think it had been so easy.
  • Me alegró que hubieras venido.I was glad you had come.

Examples

  • Si hubiéramos vivido allí, lo sabríamos.If we had lived there, we would know it.
  • Ojalá hubiera hecho los deberes.I wish I had done the homework.
  • Nadie pensó que hubieras querido eso.Nobody thought you had wanted that.
  • Actuó como si no hubiera dormido nada.He acted as if he hadn't slept at all.

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