Present perfect subjunctive
The perfect subjunctive is haya + past participle. Use it where the subjunctive is needed for an action that has (already) happened.
| haber (subjunctive) | + participle | |
|---|---|---|
| yo | haya | terminado |
| tú | hayas | llegado |
| él / ella / usted | haya | visto |
| nosotros | hayamos | hecho |
| vosotros | hayáis | dicho |
| ellos / ustedes | hayan | vuelto |
Uses
- Feeling or doubt about something that has happened: Me alegro de que hayas venido. No creo que haya llegado.
- A future action completed before another: Cuando hayas terminado, avísame.
- Wishes about the recent past: Ojalá haya aprobado.
Examples
- Espero que lo hayáis pasado bien.I hope you had a good time.
- Es raro que no haya llamado.It’s strange that she hasn’t called.
- No conozco a nadie que haya estado en Bolivia.I don’t know anyone who has been to Bolivia.
- En cuanto hayamos cenado, salimos.As soon as we’ve had dinner, we’ll go out.
- Dudo que hayan llegado ya.I doubt they have arrived yet.
Common mistakes
- ✗ Espero que has llegado.✓ Espero que hayas llegado.Esperar que needs the subjunctive even for a finished action. English “I hope you have arrived” is a plain perfect with no mood.
- ✗ Dudo que ha venido.✓ Dudo que haya venido.Doubt triggers the subjunctive in the perfect too: haya. English “I doubt he has come” shows no change.
- ✗ Espero que tengas llegado.✓ Espero que hayas llegado.Only haber builds the perfect. English “have” is both “possess” and the auxiliary, so tener sneaks in.
- ✗ Es posible que hemos perdido.✓ Es posible que hayamos perdido.Es posible que takes the subjunctive, so hemos becomes hayamos. English “it’s possible we have lost” has no mood.
- ✗ Me alegro de que hayas no llegado.✓ Me alegro de que no hayas llegado.No goes before haber. English “you haven’t arrived” puts the negative after the auxiliary.