The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo, the present perfect subjunctive, is one of the three perfect tenses of the subjunctive mood. It works the same way as the present perfect indicative but it follows the rules for the subjunctive.
The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is formed by the auxiliar verb "haber" in the present subjunctive tense followed by the past participle of the main verb. The English equivalent of the pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo could be, depending on the situation, the present perfect "have + past participle of the main verb ", the past perfect "had + past participle of the main verb ", the future perfect "will + have + past participle of the main verb”, the conditional perfect "would or could + have + past participle of the main verb” or, simply, a present or past tense when the sentence has a subjunctive nuance.
Qué lástima que tu amigo se haya torcido el tobillo justo el día antes de que se vayan a esquiar.
What a shame your friend sprained his ankle just the day before you were going skiing.
Espero que hayas ido al médico a que te mire ese bulto de la garganta.
I hope you had gone to the doctor to get that lump in your throat checked.
The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo conjugation for regular verbs is:
The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo conjugation for irregular verbs is the same as for regular verbs. However, irregular verbs have irregular past participles. See a list of irregular past participles on the perfect tenses - the pretérito pluscuamperfecto part 1 lesson.
La policía duda que los ladrones hayan podido entrar a robar al banco sin un cómplice.
The police doubt that the thieves could have entered the bank without an accomplice.
Me sorprende que me hayas llamado.
I’m surprised you called.
2. The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is used for unreal or doubtful actions that have happened in the recent past.
Me alegro de que ellas se lo hayan pasado bien esta noche.
I’m glad they have had fun tonight.
Qué pena que Javier no haya podido venir a comer con nosotros hoy.
What a shame Javier couldn’t have come with us for lunch today.
3. The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is used for not completed unreal or doubtful actions that will have been completed in the future.
Quiero que hayan limpiado su cuarto cuando vuelva del supermercado.
I want you to have cleaned your room when I come back from the supermarket.
Es posible que Marc haya pospuesto su viaje hasta después de que su madre salga del hospital.
It’s possible that Marc has postponed his trip until after his mother is released from the hospital.
The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is formed by the auxiliar verb "haber" in the present subjunctive tense followed by the past participle of the main verb. The English equivalent of the pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo could be, depending on the situation, the present perfect "have + past participle of the main verb ", the past perfect "had + past participle of the main verb ", the future perfect "will + have + past participle of the main verb”, the conditional perfect "would or could + have + past participle of the main verb” or, simply, a present or past tense when the sentence has a subjunctive nuance.
Qué lástima que tu amigo se haya torcido el tobillo justo el día antes de que se vayan a esquiar.
What a shame your friend sprained his ankle just the day before you were going skiing.
Espero que hayas ido al médico a que te mire ese bulto de la garganta.
I hope you had gone to the doctor to get that lump in your throat checked.
The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo conjugation for regular verbs is:
Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo | CANTAR | BEBER | VIVIR | yo | haya cantado | haya bebido | haya vivido | tú | hayas cantado | hayas bebido | hayas vivido | él, ella, usted | haya cantado | haya bebido | haya vivido | nosotros/as | hayamos cantado | hayamos bebido | hayamos vivido | ellos, ellas, ustedes | hayan cantado | hayan bebido | hayan vivido |
The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo conjugation for irregular verbs is the same as for regular verbs. However, irregular verbs have irregular past participles. See a list of irregular past participles on the perfect tenses - the pretérito pluscuamperfecto part 1 lesson.
Uses of the Pretérito Perfecto de Subjuntivo
1. The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is used for unreal or doubtful actions that happened in the past but are still valid in the present.La policía duda que los ladrones hayan podido entrar a robar al banco sin un cómplice.
The police doubt that the thieves could have entered the bank without an accomplice.
Me sorprende que me hayas llamado.
I’m surprised you called.
2. The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is used for unreal or doubtful actions that have happened in the recent past.
Me alegro de que ellas se lo hayan pasado bien esta noche.
I’m glad they have had fun tonight.
Qué pena que Javier no haya podido venir a comer con nosotros hoy.
What a shame Javier couldn’t have come with us for lunch today.
3. The pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo is used for not completed unreal or doubtful actions that will have been completed in the future.
Quiero que hayan limpiado su cuarto cuando vuelva del supermercado.
I want you to have cleaned your room when I come back from the supermarket.
Es posible que Marc haya pospuesto su viaje hasta después de que su madre salga del hospital.
It’s possible that Marc has postponed his trip until after his mother is released from the hospital.