ABSTRACT
The subjunctive is a relative and dependent mood. Therefore, which subjunctive tense is used in the dependent clause is due particularly to the tense of the main verb and the chronology of events in the main and dependent clause. Logically, the event in the dependent clause can be before, after or at the same time as the main event. However, there are other factors that predetermine the relation between the main and subordinated event, such as the actual meaning of the main and subordinate verb, as well as other contextual elements. The present subjunctive covers the domains of simultaneity and posteriority. The imperfect subjunctive has only very limited reference to time and can be combined with events that happen simultaneously, after and before the main event. The present perfect mostly signals anteriority, but can also be combined with events that happen simultaneously and after the main event. Finally, the past perfect subjunctive signals anteriority.
