The Spanish present perfect subjunctive tense communicates feelings, wishes, or uncertainty about an action that has already happened.
Es probable que él _______ (terminar) el trabajo.
It’s possible that he has finished the job
- A haya terminado
- B ha terminado
This example expresses uncertainty about whether the action has finished or not. As a result, you must use the subjunctive form.
No creo que ellos _______ (recibir) la carta todavía.
I don’t think they have opened the letter yet
- A hayan recibido
- B han abierto
Hayan recibido communicates doubts about the action, which is reinforced by the triggered no creo que.
Nosotros _______ (visitar) Francia dos veces.
We have visited France two times
- A han visitado
- B hemos visitado
In this example, we use the present perfect indicative because we’re expressing a fact, something that we know for sure that already occurred.
¡Qué bueno que ustedes _______ (conocerse)!
How nice that you guys met
- A se han conocido
- B se hayan conocido
The Spanish present perfect subjunctive is the appropriate answer for this sentence because it communicates the emotion caused by the action.
Me alegra que tú _______ (encontrar) un buen empleo.
I’m so glad that you found a good job.
- A hayas encontrado
- B has encontrado
‘Me alegra que’ triggers the present perfect subjunctive because it communicates the feelings a past action causes.
Paulina y yo todavía no ______ (salir) de trabajar.
Paulina and I haven’t left work yet.
- A hayamos salido
- B hemos salido
This sentence provides factual and objective information. As a result, hemos salido (indicative) is the correct answer.
Tú _______ (comprar) los boletos para el concierto.
You have bought the tickets for the concert.
- A has comprado
- B hayas comprado
The example states a fact. There is no uncertainty or feelings about the action. Therefore, we must use the present perfect indicative.
Espero que tú _______ (hacer) la tarea antes de salir.
I hope you have done your homework before you leave.
- A has hecho
- B hayas hecho
Esperar is a verb related to wishes and hopes. As a result, it triggers the subjunctive. This sentence expresses the hope that the action (doing your homework) has already been done.
Ellos _______ (leer) todos los libros de la lista.
They have read all the books from the list.
- A hayan leído
- B han leído
In this example, we’re reporting something that our friends have actually done. Because of this, han leído is the correct option.
Ojalá tu hermana no le _______ (decir).
I hope your sister didn’t tell her.
- A haya dicho
- B ha dicho
Because it expresses hope, ‘ojalá’ is one of the most common words that trigger the subjunctive tense. Additionally, when using the present perfect subjunctive we imply uncertainty (we’re not sure if it actually happened), whereas the indicative form refers to factual events.
Quiz Results
| Question | Answer Given | Correct Answer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Es probable que él _______ (terminar) el trabajo. | |||
| No creo que ellos _______ (recibir) la carta todavía. | |||
| Nosotros _______ (visitar) Francia dos veces. | |||
| ¡Qué bueno que ustedes _______ (conocerse)! | |||
| Me alegra que tú _______ (encontrar) un buen empleo. | |||
| Paulina y yo todavía no ______ (salir) de trabajar. | |||
| Tú _______ (comprar) los boletos para el concierto. | |||
| Espero que tú _______ (hacer) la tarea antes de salir. | |||
| Ellos _______ (leer) todos los libros de la lista. | |||
| Ojalá tu hermana no le _______ (decir). |
Spanish Present Perfect Subjunctive Practice: Instructions
You’ve been given 10 multiple choice questions to test your knowledge on when to use the present perfect subjunctive vs the present perfect indicative. Your job is to complete each question by selecting the right answer. Make sure you read the sentences carefully so you choose the right tense.
Being able to identify when and when not to use the subjunctive form, will give you a better understanding of the present perfect subjunctive.
Notes on the Spanish Present Perfect Subjunctive
Here is a summary of this tense:
- This compound tense is formed by combining the present perfect subjunctive forms of haber with a verb in past participle form.
- The Spanish present perfect subjunctive refers to actions that already happened.
- However, this tense expresses:
- The current feelings such action causes
- Uncertainty on whether the action happened
- The current hopes you have about such event
- Unlike the present perfect indicative, this tense is not factual or objective.
To learn more about this tense, you can check my guide on how to use the Spanish present perfect subjunctive.