8.2 The past perfect subjunctive © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc The past perfect subjunctive (el pluscuamperfecto del subjuntivo) is formed with the past subjunctive of haber and a past participle. A Julio le sorprendió que lo hubieran descongelado después de tan pocos años.

8.2 The past perfect subjunctive © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc.8.2-2

8.2 The past perfect subjunctive © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc The past perfect subjunctive is used in subordinate clauses under the same conditions for other subjunctive forms, and in the same way the past perfect is used in English (I had talked, you had spoken, etc.). It refers to actions or conditions that had taken place before another past occurrence. Le molestó que los otros investigadores no hubieran asistido a su conferencia. A pesar de que nos mostró fotos, dudábamos que el científico hubiera visto un ovni. It annoyed her that the other researchers hadn’t attended her lecture. Despite the pictures that he showed us, we doubted that the scientist had seen a UFO.

8.2 The past perfect subjunctive © and ® 2011 Vista Higher Learning, Inc When the action in the main clause is in the past, both the past subjunctive and the past perfect subjunctive can be used in the subordinate clause. Note, however, how the sequence of events differs. Tú no pensabas que el telescopio costara tanto, ¿verdad? You didn’t think the telescope would (was going to) cost so much, right? Tú no pensabas que el telescopio hubiera costado tanto, ¿verdad? You didn’t think the telescope (had already) cost so much, right? La empresa buscó una bioquímica que viviera en la zona. The company looked for a biochemist who lived (was living) in the area. La empresa buscó una bioquímica que hubiera vivido en la zona. The company looked for a biochemist who had (might have) lived in the area. Past subjunctive Past perfect subjunctive