The Perfect Subjunctive
The helper changes with the person: باشم, باشی, باشد, باشیم, باشید, باشند.
How It Works
| Person | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| من | رفته باشم | that I have gone |
| تو | رفته باشی | that you have gone |
| او | رفته باشد | that he or she has gone |
| ما | رفته باشیم | that we have gone |
| شما | رفته باشید | that you have gone |
| آن‌ها | رفته باشند | that they have gone |
Compare two sentences. شاید بیاید means maybe he will come. شاید آمده باشد means maybe he has come. The first looks forward, and the second looks back at something that may already be finished.
The words that call for the subjunctive also call for this form: امیدوارم که (I hope that), شاید (maybe) and ممکن است که (it is possible that).
The negative puts نـ on the participle: شاید نرسیده باشد (maybe he has not arrived). The same form follows باید for a firm guess: باید رسیده باشد (he must have arrived).
Use the plain subjunctive for what may still happen and the perfect subjunctive for what may be done already: امیدوارم بیاید (I hope he comes) and امیدوارم آمده باشد (I hope he has come).
Examples (5)
- امیدوارم که نامه به دستت رسیده باشد.
I hope the letter has reached you.
رسیده باشد is the perfect subjunctive after امیدوارم که.
- شاید مریم پیام مرا ندیده باشد.
Maybe Maryam has not seen my message.
ندیده باشد is the negative: نـ goes on the participle.
- شاید دیشب باران باریده باشد.
Maybe it rained last night.
باریده باشد looks back at a finished event.
- ممکن است که آن‌ها به هرات رفته باشند.
They may have gone to Herat.
رفته باشند is the form for آن‌ها.
- امیدوارم که سفر شما خوب گذشته باشد.
I hope your trip went well.
گذشته باشد is the perfect subjunctive of گذشتن.
Common Mistakes
Using the present perfect after شاید.
شاید باران باریده است.شاید باران باریده باشد.After شاید, the helper is the subjunctive باشد.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The perfect subjunctive uses the participle and the subjunctive of be.
Related Patterns
- Maybe With شاید
شاید takes the subjunctive.
Level 3 - امیدوارم کهHoping with امیدوارم
امیدوارم که takes the subjunctive.
Level 3 - باید … باشدSaying Something Must Be True
باید رسیده باشد uses the same form for a firm guess.
Level 5 - باشم، داشته باشمIrregular Subjunctive Forms
باشم is the subjunctive of بودن.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice The Perfect Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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