Sequence of tenses in the subjunctive

What it is

You already know that verbs of wishing, influence, emotion and doubt take the subjunctive: Quiero que vengas. The sequence of tenses (correlación de tiempos) answers the next question: which subjunctive? The tense of the main verb sets the time frame, and the subjunctive follows it. A main verb that looks at the present or the future keeps the present subjunctive; a main verb in a past tense or in the conditional pulls the subjunctive into the imperfect.

• Quiero que vengas a la cena.I want you to come to dinner.present → present subjunctive
• Quería que vinieras a la cena.I wanted you to come to dinner.past → imperfect subjunctive
• Me gustaría que vinieras a la cena.I'd like you to come to dinner.conditional → imperfect subjunctive

The trigger is the same in all three sentences. Only its tense changes, and the subjunctive moves with it.

How it works

First find the main verb and its tense. Then ask whether the subordinate event happens at the same time, later, or earlier.

A main verb in the present perfect counts as present: Me han pedido que hable en la ceremonia. All the past tenses behave alike: the preterite (Me pidió que esperara), the imperfect (Siempre me pedía que esperara) and the pluperfect (Me había pedido que esperara). The conditional joins them because it looks at things from a distance: Me encantaría que conocieras a mi familia.

When the subordinate event comes before the main verb, use the compound forms: Me alegra que hayas venido (present + earlier event), Me dolió que no me hubieras invitado (past + earlier event). With a present main verb, Latin American Spanish also uses the imperfect subjunctive for a finished past event: No creo que Laura dijera eso.

When to use it

The sequence works with every subjunctive trigger you know:

• Influence and wishes: El guía nos pidió que no tocáramos nada. Mis abuelos querían que aprendiera a cocinar.
• Emotions and value judgements: Me sorprendió que nadie protestara. Fue una pena que no pudieras venir.
• Doubt and denial: No creía que fuera tan difícil.
• Purpose: Te lo expliqué despacio para que lo entendieras.
• The future inside a past story: time clauses follow the main verb too. Me dijo que me llamaría cuando llegara. Salimos antes de que empezara a llover.
• Advice and polite wishes with the conditional: Sería mejor que lo hablaran en persona.

• El guía nos pidió que no tocáramos nada.The guide asked us not to touch anything.past request
• Me dijo que me llamaría cuando llegara.She told me she'd call me when she arrived.time clause in a past story
• Sería mejor que lo hablaran en persona.It would be better if you talked about it in person.conditional

Contrasts and traps

• Pending actions in Latin America. After a past verb, many Latin Americans keep the present subjunctive when the action still lies ahead: Ayer me pidió que lo llame mañana. That is accepted here, but the imperfect (que lo llamara) is always correct, so learn it first.
• Me gustaría que… Careful Spanish uses the imperfect after the conditional: Me gustaría que vinieras. ✗ Me gustaría que vengas is heard in speech in several countries; avoid it in writing.
• Don't overcorrect. The imperfect needs a past or conditional main verb. A present verb about the future keeps the present: Espero que me llames, never ✗ Espero que me llamaras for a call that hasn't happened.
• Mood first, then tense. The trigger still decides the mood. Decir reports information with the indicative and gives orders with the subjunctive: Me dijo que venía (she said she was coming) vs Me dijo que viniera (she told me to come).
• Never the conditional after que. ✗ Quería que me ayudarías → Quería que me ayudaras.

If you speak Portuguese

Portuguese has the same sequence, so trust your instinct: Queria que você viesse, Gostaria que você viesse and Era importante que soubéssemos become Quería que vinieras, Me gustaría que vinieras and Era importante que supiéramos. The traps come from everyday Brazilian speech: pediu para eu ligar and falou para eu vir don't carry over. Spanish says me pidió que llamara and me dijo que viniera.