Present Perfect Subjunctive in Relative Clauses
Start first lessonRELEVANT LESSON:
Explanation
- The present perfect subjunctive (el pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo) is used to describe past actions that are connected to the present, as well as actions that will have happened by a certain point in the future.
- The present perfect subjunctive is very similar to the present perfect indicative, but is triggered by the same words and phrases as the present subjunctive.
- The present perfect subjunctive is used in relative clauses with a non-existent, indefinite, or negated antecedent.
Forming the Present Perfect Subjunctive
The present perfect subjunctive is a combination of the present subjunctive of the verb haberand a past participle. It's very similar to the present perfect indicative, but is triggered by the same sorts of words and phrases as the present subjunctive.
The present perfect subjunctive is formed as follows:
Present Perfect Subjunctive Formula
present subjunctive of haber + past participle
Here's how to form haber in the present subjunctive.
| Subject | Haber in the Present Subjunctive |
|---|---|
| yo | haya |
| tú | hayas |
| él, ella, usted | haya |
| nosotros | hayamos |
| vosotros | hayáis |
| ellos, ellas, ustedes | hayan |
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses are subordinate clauses that are equivalent to an adjective. They usually explain or elaborate on the noun they modify (the antecedent). In Spanish, relative clauses are commonly introduced by the relative pronoun que.
Check out the following example of a relative clause that uses the present perfect subjunctive.
In the above example, the relative clause is que tenga una cocina grande. The antecedent is una casa.
The Present Perfect Subjunctive with Hypothetical or Desired Antecedents
The verbs buscar, necesitar, and quereroften trigger the present perfect subjunctive because we use these verbs to express a desire for something that may or may not exist. When these verbs precede an antecedent that is definite or known to the speaker, the indicative mood is used.
Take a look at these examples. The first example uses the present perfect in the subjunctive mood while the second example uses the present perfect in the indicative mood.
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The Present Perfect Subjunctive with Negated Antecedents
Relative clauses that follow the negated forms of tener, conocer, haber, and existirtake the subjunctive mood.
Take a look at the following examples. The first example uses the present perfect in the subjunctive mood while the second example uses the present perfect in the indicative mood.
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Present Perfect Subjunctive in Questions with Relative Clauses
In questions, the verb in the relative clause can be conjugated in the present perfect subjunctive. This is the case when there is an element of doubt and the speaker is not sure whether the antecedent exists.
Take a look at the following examples. The first example uses the present perfect in the subjunctive mood because the antecedent isn't identifiable, while the second uses the indicative because the speaker is just confirming a fact.
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Learn more about the subjunctive with the following articles:
