What Is Sequence of Tenses in Spanish?
La concordance des temps, or the sequence of tenses, is a grammatical rule that governs which verb tense you must use in a subordinate clause based on the tense used in the main clause. In simple terms, when you combine two verbs in a sentence, they must ‘agree’ in time. This rule is especially important in complex sentences using the subjunctive mood.
Simple Examples to Get Started
Before diving into the details, let’s look at a few basic examples:
- Espero que vengas. (I hope you come.) — present in main clause → present subjunctive in subordinate clause
- Esperaba que vinieras. (I was hoping you would come.) — past in main clause → past subjunctive in subordinate clause
- Quiero que él hable. (I want him to speak.) — present → present subjunctive
- Quería que él hablara. (I wanted him to speak.) — imperfect → imperfect subjunctive
You can already see the pattern: the tense in the main clause determines the tense in the subordinate clause.
The Key Elements of Sequence of Tenses in Spanish
To understand this concept fully, you need to know its main building blocks.
1. The Main Clause and Its Tense
The main clause sets the ‘time frame’ of the sentence. It can be in the present, past, future, or conditional tense. This tense acts as the anchor for the rest of the sentence.
- Present: Quiero (I want)
- Future: Querré (I will want)
- Past (preterite or imperfect): Quería / Quise (I wanted)
- Conditional: Querría (I would want)
2. The Subordinate Clause and the Subjunctive
The subordinate clause usually contains a verb in the subjunctive mood. The tense of the subjunctive depends on the tense of the main clause. Here is a simple table to summarise the most common combinations:
| Main Clause Tense | Subordinate Clause (Subjunctive) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present / Future | Present Subjunctive | Espero que venga. |
| Imperfect / Preterite / Conditional | Imperfect Subjunctive | Esperaba que viniera. |
| Present Perfect | Present or Perfect Subjunctive | He pedido que venga. |
| Pluperfect / Past Conditional | Pluperfect Subjunctive | Había pedido que hubiera venido. |
3. Expressing Time Relationships
The subordinate clause can refer to an action happening at the same time, before, or after the main clause. This changes which subjunctive tense you use.
- Same time: Quiero que hables ahora. (I want you to speak now.)
- Before: Me alegra que hayas venido. (I am glad you came.) — present perfect subjunctive
- After (future action): Cuando llegues, llámame. (When you arrive, call me.) — present subjunctive
Why Does Sequence of Tenses Matter in Spanish?
You might wonder: does it really make a difference? The answer is yes. Using the wrong tense in the subordinate clause can confuse your listener or change the meaning of your sentence entirely. It can also make your Spanish sound unnatural, even if the vocabulary is correct.
Mastering this rule will help you:
- Sound more fluent and natural in conversation
- Write correctly in formal and academic contexts
- Understand native speakers more easily, especially in written texts
- Express nuance in time, certainty, and emotion
Comparison With French and English
If you speak French or English, you may already know a version of this rule.
| Language | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| English | Sequence of tenses exists but is simpler; subjunctive is rare | ‘I wanted him to come.’ (infinitive, no subjunctive) |
| French | Similar to Spanish; subjunctive used after expressions of will or doubt | ‘Je voulais qu’il vienne.’ (imperfect + present subjunctive) |
| Spanish | Strict sequence rules; subjunctive is very common and necessary | ‘Quería que viniera.’ (imperfect + imperfect subjunctive) |
In English, the subjunctive is almost invisible. In French, it is important but sometimes optional. In Spanish, it is essential and the sequence rules are strictly followed in both spoken and written language.
A Full Example in Context
Let’s look at a short paragraph that uses the sequence of tenses naturally:
Mi profesora me dijo que estudiara más. Quería que yo aprendiera las reglas bien. Me explicó que si practicara todos los días, mejoraría rápido. Espero que tenga razón.
Translation: ‘My teacher told me to study more. She wanted me to learn the rules well. She explained that if I practised every day, I would improve quickly. I hope she is right.’
- dijo → estudiara: preterite → imperfect subjunctive
- quería → aprendiera: imperfect → imperfect subjunctive
- explicó → practicara: preterite → imperfect subjunctive
- espero → tenga: present → present subjunctive
Key Takeaways
- The sequence of tenses links the tense of the main clause to the tense of the subordinate clause.
- Present and future main clauses use the present subjunctive in the subordinate clause.
- Past and conditional main clauses use the imperfect subjunctive.
- The pluperfect subjunctive is used for actions further back in the past.
- This rule is more strict in Spanish than in English, and similar to French.
- Practising with real sentences is the best way to master it.
Sources
- Real Academia Española. Nueva gramática de la lengua española. Espasa, 2009.
- Butt, John and Benjamin, Carmen. A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish. Routledge, 2011.
- Penny, Ralph. A History of the Spanish Language. Cambridge University Press, 2002.