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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 -

La mamá les a los niños que se lo más pronto posible.

    dice
    dice
    dijo
    dijo
    acostaran
    acuesten
    acostaran
    acuesten

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #2 -

El embajador le a su secretaria que le un café.

    pidió
    pidió
    ha pedido
    ha pedido
    prepare
    preparase
    prepare
    preparase

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #3 -

El presidente no que el vicepresidente su biografía.

    quería
    quería
    quiere
    quiere
    escribiera
    escriba
    escribiera
    escriba

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #4 -

El padre le a su hijo que le gasolina al coche.

    dice
    dice
    dijo
    dijo
    ponga
    pusiera
    ponga
    pusiera

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #5 -

Ella que yo a su casa.

    quiere
    quiere
    quiso
    quiso
    vaya
    fuera
    vaya
    fuera

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #6 -

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

    den
    dieran

    1 valid answer
    sea
    fuera

    1 valid answer


Question #7 -

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

    ha enfadado
    ha enfadado
    enfadó
    enfadó
    dijera
    diga
    dijera
    diga

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #8 -

El doctor le que se de vacaciones.

    recomendó
    recomendó
    recomienda
    recomienda
    vaya
    fuera
    vaya
    fuera

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #9 -

Mi jefe que yo el informe lo más pronto posible.

    quiere
    quiere
    quería
    quería
    escribiera
    escriba
    escribiera
    escriba

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #10 -

El presidente que habrían elecciones tan pronto como el visto bueno del Congreso.

    ha dicho
    ha dicho
    dijo
    dijo
    recibiera
    reciba
    recibiera
    reciba

2 valid answers. Can you find them all?


Question #11 -

  • 0 valid answers
  • llohay/archive nfs bg,xattr,dev=458002d 1073649555 ellohay:/archive1 /hmt/elloha


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    Not a valid choice.


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

    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

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    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 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 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 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 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 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

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    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

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    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 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 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 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 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 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.

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    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.

    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).

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


    2) The 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).

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

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    Copyright 1996 Samuel Schiminovich.

    The text and the HTML formatting of these drills is covered by this copyright. One copy of this drill can be downloaded and/or printed for personal use. Unauthorized commercial use of these drills is forbidden, as well as reloading on servers or republishing under unauthorized URL addresses.


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