Sequence of Tenses

Sequence of Tenses
A tool to analyze and apply proper use of the subjunctive and indicative in Spanish.
Follow the chart below based on the context and tense(s) in your sentence
& you will arrive at the way to properly complete it!
The Big 3
ESCAPAA
WEIRDO, “que” & 2 subject
Lack
of
Specificity
un/a or alguien
NONE
OF
Si
Clauses
CHAD ATE
vs. the
Future
or
Incomplete
Habitual
or
Complete
True or Possible
Statement
¡SUBJUNTIVO!
What’s already in the Sentence?
Present
or
Present
Progressive
Hypothetical
or
Contrary to Fact
Imperfect
or
Past Progressive
Future
Preterit
Present
Perfect
Past
Perfect
Conditional
¡OJO!
Does what you need
sound like...
Present
or
Future
Past
or
Present Perfect
Present
Subjunctive
Most sentences that
require the
subjunctive in Spanish
do NOT sound like
direct translations, so
be sure to follow the
subjunctive rules even
if it sounds wrong!
Present
Perfect
Subjunctive
Does what you need
sound like...
Past
Perfect
Preterit
or
Imperfect
Imperfect
Subjunctive
Present
Past
Perfect
Subjunctive
INDICATIVE
© J DeOliveira 2013
Sequence of Tenses
A tool to analyze and apply proper use of the subjunctive and indicative in Spanish.
Sample Sentence #1
The teacher suggested that the students study more.
El professor sugirió que los estudiantes estudiaran más.
The Big 3
ESCAPAA
WEIRDO, “que” & 2 subject
SUGGESTED
SUGIRI´O
Lack
of
Specificity
un/a or alguien
NONE
OF
Si
Clauses
CHAD ATE
vs. the
Future
or
Incomplete
Habitual
or
Complete
True or Possible
Statement
¡SUBJUNTIVO!
Hypothetical
or
Contrary to Fact
What’s already in the Sentence?
Present
or
Present
Progressive
Imperfect
or
Past Progressive
Future
Preterit
Present
Perfect
Past
Perfect
Conditional
¡OJO!
Does what you need
sound like...
Present
or
Future
Past
or
Present Perfect
Present
Subjunctive
Most sentences that
require the
subjunctive in Spanish
do NOT sound like
direct translations, so
be sure to follow the
subjunctive rules even
if it sounds wrong!
Present
Perfect
Subjunctive
Does what you need
sound like...
Imperfect
Subjunctive
ESTUDIARAN
Past
Perfect
Preterit
or
Imperfect
Present
Past
Perfect
Subjunctive
INDICATIVE
© J Deoliveira 2013
Sequence of Tenses
A tool to analyze and apply proper use of the subjunctive and indicative in Spanish.
Sample Sentence #2
When Pablo returns, we will watch a movie.
Cuando Pablo vuelva, miraremos una película.
The Big 3
ESCAPAA
WEIRDO, “que” & 2 subject
Lack
of
Specificity
un/a or alguien
NONE
OF
Si
Clauses
CHAD ATE
CUANDO
vs. the
Future
or
Incomplete
Habitual
or
Complete
True or Possible
Statement
¡SUBJUNTIVO!
What’s already in the Sentence?
Present
or
Present
Progressive
Hypothetical
or
Contrary to Fact
Imperfect
or
Past Progressive
Future
Preterit
Present
Perfect
Past
Perfect
Conditional
¡OJO!
Does what you need
sound like...
Present
or
Future
Past
or
Present Perfect
Present
Subjunctive
VUELVA
Most sentences that
require the
subjunctive in Spanish
do NOT sound like
direct translations, so
be sure to follow the
subjunctive rules even
if it sounds wrong!
Present
Perfect
Subjunctive
Does what you need
sound like...
Past
Perfect
Preterit
or
Imperfect
Imperfect
Subjunctive
Present
Past
Perfect
Subjunctive
INDICATIVE
© J Deoliveira 2013
Sequence of Tenses
A tool to analyze and apply proper use of the subjunctive and indicative in Spanish.
Sample Sentence #3
I am looking for an apartment that has an ocean view.
Busco un piso que tenga una vista al mar.
The Big 3
ESCAPAA
WEIRDO, “que” & 2 subject
Lack
of
Specificity
NONE
OF
Si
Clauses
CHAD ATE
UN
Future
or
Incomplete
Habitual
or
Complete
True or Possible
Statement
¡SUBJUNTIVO!
What’s already in the Sentence?
Present
or
Present
Progressive
Hypothetical
or
Contrary to Fact
Imperfect
or
Past Progressive
Future
Preterit
Present
Perfect
Past
Perfect
Conditional
¡OJO!
Does what you need
sound like...
Present
or
Future
Past
or
Present Perfect
Present
Subjunctive
Most sentences that
require the
subjunctive in Spanish
do NOT sound like
direct translations, so
be sure to follow the
subjunctive rules even
if it sounds wrong!
Present
Perfect
Subjunctive
Does what you need
sound like...
Past
Perfect
Preterit
or
Imperfect
Imperfect
Subjunctive
Present
Past
Perfect
Subjunctive
INDICATIVE
© J Deoliveira 2013