Present Perfect Subjunctive

What does the present perfect subjunctive express?

It describes actions that have happened in the past and are relevant to the present, often in contexts of doubt, emotions, wishes, or uncertainty.

How do you form the present perfect subjunctive?

• Use the present subjunctive of haber:

  • haya, hayas, haya, hayamos, hayáis, hayan

• Add the past participle of the verb:

  • -AR verbs → ado (e.g., hablado)

  • -ER/-IR verbs → ido (e.g., comido, vivido)

Translate: "I doubt that they have finished the project."

Dudo que hayan terminado el proyecto.

Translate: "It’s good that you have studied for the exam."

Es bueno que hayas estudiado para el examen.

When do you use the present perfect subjunctive?

• After subjunctive triggers (WEIRDO):

  • Dudo que hayan llegado. (I doubt they have arrived.)

• To express emotions or opinions about past events:

  • Me alegra que hayas venido. (I’m glad you have come.)

• Hypothetical past actions relevant to the present:

  • Es posible que él haya dicho eso. (It’s possible that he has said that.)

Name five common triggers for the present perfect subjunctive.

1. Es posible que...

2. Me alegra que...

3. Dudo que...

4. Es bueno/malo que...

5. Ojalá que...

Conjugate haber in the present perfect subjunctive.

• Yo: haya

• Tú: hayas

• Él/Ella/Usted: haya

• Nosotros/as: hayamos

• Vosotros/as: hayáis

• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes: hayan

How do you conjugate hablar, comer, and vivir in the present perfect subjunctive?

• Haya hablado (I have spoken)

• Hayas comido (You have eaten)

• Haya vivido (He/she has lived)

Conjugate five irregular past participles: abrir, decir, escribir, hacer, ver

• Abrir → abierto

• Decir → dicho

• Escribir → escrito

• Hacer → hecho

• Ver → visto

Translate: "It’s possible that they have seen the movie."

Es posible que hayan visto la película.