hubieran
oo-BYEHR-ahn
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Si hubieran traído un mapa, no nos habríamos perdido.
B2If they had brought a map, we wouldn't have gotten lost.
Dudábamos que ustedes hubieran terminado la tarea a tiempo.
C1We doubted that you (formal plural) had finished the homework on time.
Me alegré de que hubieran encontrado la solución.
B2I was happy that they had found the solution.
💡 Grammar Points
The Past Hypothetical
This form is used in 'if' sentences to talk about things that did NOT happen in the past: 'Si hubieran + past participle...'
The Sequence Rule
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.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Tenses in 'Si' Clauses
Mistake: "Si habían ido, habríamos sabido. (Using 'habían' instead of 'hubieran')"
Correction: Si hubieran ido, habríamos sabido. (The 'si' clause for past hypotheticals requires 'hubieran'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Focus on the 'If' Clause
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.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hubieran
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'hubieran' to talk about a past regret or missed opportunity?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'hubieran' and 'hubiesen'?
They are the same verb form (Imperfect Subjunctive of 'haber') and mean the exact same thing. 'Hubieran' is much more commonly used in spoken and modern written Spanish, especially in Latin America and Spain, while 'hubiesen' is often seen as more formal or literary.
Can I use 'hubieran' without another verb?
No. 'Hubieran' is a helping verb. It must always be followed by a past participle (like *comido*, *visto*, or *hecho*) to form a complete thought about a past action.