Spanish C2: Sequence of tenses · Grammar

In a que-clause, the tense follows the main verb. Main verb in the present or future: Quiero que vengas; Espero que hayas descansado. Main verb in the past or conditional: Quería que vinieras; Me alegré de que hubieras venido. When the subordinate clause is still true now, the present subjunctive can follow a past verb: Me pidió que la llames mañana. The future in the past is the conditional: Dijo que vendría.

• quería que — I wanted (someone) to
• me alegré de que — I was glad that
• temía que — I was afraid that
• me extrañó que — I was surprised that
• era lógico que — it was only natural that
• no creía que — I didn’t think that
• les rogó que — she begged them to
• convendría que — it would be advisable that

• No creía que fuera tan difícil. — I didn’t think it would be so hard.
• Me extrañó que no llamaras. — I was surprised you didn’t call.
• Les rogó que se quedaran. — She begged them to stay.
• Era lógico que estuviera enfadado. — It was only natural he was angry.