Mixing Tenses in 'Si' Clauses

This form is used in 'if' sentences to talk about things that did NOT happen in the past: 'Si hubieran + past participle...'

The Past Hypothetical

When you express doubt, wish, or emotion about a past event, you use 'hubieran' + past participle, especially after a main verb that is also in the past.

The Sequence Rule

If you are starting a sentence with 'Si' and talking about a past action that didn't happen, 'hubieran' is almost always the correct verb form for that first part of the sentence.

Focus on the 'If' Clause

Very common when discussing past hypothetical situations or expressing past doubt/emotion.

'Hubieran' is the third-person plural form of the auxiliary verb 'haber' used to create the Past Perfect Subjunctive. Learn how to use it in 'si' clauses for counterfactual past hypotheticals (e.g., 'If they had known').

hubieran

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations