Pluperfect subjunctive with hubiera

The idea

Choose hubiera, hubieras, hubiera, hubiéramos, hubierais or hubieran to match the subject, then add an invariable past participle. The corresponding hubiese forms are also valid.

Examples

• Ojalá hubieras llegado antes al concierto.I wish you had arrived earlier at the concert.
• Si hubiéramos reservado, tendríamos mesa ahora.If we had booked, we would have a table now.
• Me sorprendió que Ana hubiera escrito la carta.I was surprised that Ana had written the letter.
• Buscaban a alguien que hubiera vivido en la isla.They were looking for someone who had lived on the island.
• Era extraño que los vecinos no hubieran abierto la puerta.It was strange that the neighbors had not opened the door.
• Si vosotros hubierais visto el mapa, no estaríais perdidos.If you had seen the map, you would not be lost.

Watch out

Do not make the participle agree with the subject: hubieran abierto, not hubieran abiertos. In much of Latin America ustedes hubieran replaces Spain’s vosotros hubierais.

Try it yourself

1. Complete with the pluperfect subjunctive. Ojalá yo ___ la noticia antes. (saber)

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   hubiera sabido / hubiese sabido

   Hubiera sabido / hubiese sabido uses the irregular participle of saber.

2. Complete with the pluperfect subjunctive. Me alegró que ustedes ___ a tiempo. (llegar)

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   hubieran llegado / hubiesen llegado

   Hubieran llegado / hubiesen llegado matches ustedes.

3. Complete with the pluperfect subjunctive. Si nosotros ___ la ventana, no entraría frío. (cerrar)

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   hubiéramos cerrado / hubiésemos cerrado

   Hubiéramos cerrado / hubiésemos cerrado matches nosotros and expresses an unreal condition.

Use it today

Complete each sentence, then invent a wish about an earlier event.