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Sequence of Tenses


There is a prescription for the sequence of tenses of verbs of the principal and corresponding subordinate sentences in what we could call Standard Spanish. Even though you may see some of the invalid answers used in some areas and some contexts, specially in the spoken language, it is best and safest that you should adhere to Standard Spanish practice.

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Grammatical Notes


Question #1 - Gloss.?

La mamá les a los niños que se tan pronto como de lavarse las manos.


Question #2 - Gloss.?

El embajador le a su secretaria que le un café, y ella le cuando tiempo.


Question #3 - Gloss.?

El presidente no que el vicepresidente su biografía antes de que su mandato.


Question #4 - Gloss.?

El padre le a su hijo que le gasolina al coche en cuanto a la primera gasolinera.


Question #5 - Gloss.?

Ella que yo a su casa, pero le he explicado que no creía que me posible hacerlo.


Question #6 - Gloss.?

Cuando era niña me gustaba que me dinero, pero mis padres no creían que el dinero necesario para una niña.


Question #7 - Gloss.?

Me mucho que Ud. eso porque creía que era mi amigo.

_Lo siento mucho, pues no que usted se .


Question #8 - Gloss.?

El doctor le que se a casa y que una aspirina en cuanto .


Question #9 - Gloss.?

Mi jefe que yo el informe en cuanto tiempo.


Question #10 - Gloss.?

El presidente que tan pronto como el visto bueno del Congreso, mandaría la ayuda que necesaria.


Top



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 1



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 2



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 3



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 4



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 5



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 6



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 7



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 8



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 9



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Not a valid choice.


Improper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Correct!


Proper use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Hints?

Back to question 10



















































Grammatical notes for the drills in this page.


There is a prescription for the sequence of tenses of verbs of the principal and corresponding subordinate sentences in what we could call Standard Spanish. Even though you may see some of the invalid answers used in some areas and some contexts, specially in the spoken language, it is best and safest that you should adhere to Standard Spanish practice.

The drills in this page are based, for comparison purposes, on those in 'Spanish, Programatic Course', by V. Arbeláez et al., Foreign Service Institute (1989), Workbook Vol II, pg. 114.

The items covered are:


1)- The use of tense in the subordinate after present tenses in the principal.


Quest. 1 Quest. 2 Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 7 Quest. 8 Quest. 9 Quest. 10

When the verb in the principal sentence is in the present, present perfect, future, future perfect, or is a command, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the present subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the present perfect subjunctive is to be used).


2)- The use of tense in the subordinate after past tenses in the principal.


Quest. 1 Quest. 2 Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 6 Quest. 7 Quest. 8 Quest. 9 Quest. 10

When the verb in the principal sentence is in the preterite, imperfect, pluperfect, or conditionals, the subordinate if calling for the subjunctive mood will use the imperfect subjunctive. (If the action in the subordinate occurs before the action of the principal, the pluperfect subjunctive is to be used).

Back to question 1

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Glossary for question #1 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #2 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #3 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #4 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #5 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #6 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #7 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #8 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #9 - Back to question?


Glossary for question #10 - Back to question?