Pluperfect Subjunctive
The pluperfect subjunctive is used in an unreal condition about the past.
How It Works
| Person | aver + participle | èsser + participle |
|---|---|---|
| ieu | aguèsse sauput | foguèsse vengut (venguda) |
| tu | aguèsses sauput | foguèsses vengut (venguda) |
| el, ela | aguèsse sauput | foguèsse vengut (venguda) |
| nosautres | aguèssem sauput | foguèssem venguts (vengudas) |
| vosautres | aguèssetz sauput | foguèssetz venguts (vengudas) |
| eles, elas | aguèsson sauput | foguèsson venguts (vengudas) |
An unreal condition about the past has two parts. The condition uses se and the pluperfect subjunctive, and the result uses the past conditional: Se foguèssem partits mai lèu, auriam pas perdut lo tren. (If we had left earlier, we would not have missed the train.)
This is the careful, written way to say it. Print also has se with the plain pluperfect, and the meaning is the same: S'aviái sauput, seriái vengut. In the first person you will also see -èssi (aguèssi); this course writes -èsse.
The pluperfect subjunctive also follows coma se (as if), as in coma s'aguèsse agut paur (as if he had been afraid).
Examples (5)
- S'aguèsse sauput, seriái vengut.
If I had known, I would have come.
S'aguèsse sauput: the pluperfect subjunctive after se.
- Se foguèssem partits mai lèu, auriam pas perdut lo tren.
If we had left earlier, we would not have missed the train.
Foguèssem partits: èsser, with the participle in the plural.
- S'aguèsses telefonat, t'auriái esperat.
If you had called, I would have waited for you.
S'aguèsses telefonat: aver and the participle.
- S'aguèsse plogut, serián pas sortits.
If it had rained, they would not have gone out.
S'aguèsse plogut: the pluperfect subjunctive of plòure.
- Se Joan aguèsse volgut, auriá pogut venir.
If Joan had wanted to, he could have come.
Aguèsse volgut, then auriá pogut in the result.
Common Mistakes
Using the conditional after se
S'auriái sauput, seriái vengut.S'aguèsse sauput, seriái vengut.The conditional belongs in the result. After se, the condition takes the pluperfect subjunctive: aguèsse sauput.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The pluperfect subjunctive combines the imperfect subjunctive and the past conditional in an unreal condition about the past, so both come first.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Pluperfect Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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