| The sequence of
tenses depends on the fact they describe.
This type of sentences is simple. It does not matter
at what point of time the speaker is. The rules of
chapter 6 apply here fully.
When the position of the speaker comes to focus because
the action described is something thought, imagined,
wished or feared, the position of the speaker within
the time span is important. Have a look.
We see it's not that easy anymore because we have a
second dimension, the first one is the action itself
and the second is the focus on the person that produces
(by thinking, imagining, wishing etc.) these actions.
 |
Case I: The sequence
of actions are independent of the person thinking
/ talking about it |
|
|
 |
 |
1) You smoke
so many cigarettes that you will fall ill
of cancer. |
|
 |
 |
2) You have
smoked so many cigarettes that you are ill
of cancer now. |
|
 |
 |
3) If you
are going to smoke cigarettes, you will fall
ill of cancer. |
|
Is the introductory verb in present tense then there
is no difference between the case I and case II. This
is important to realise, because it means for the Spanish
grammar that the rules of chapter
6 apply when the introductory verb is in a "present"
tense (presente, pretérito
perfecto, futuro I und
futuro II).
Is the verb in a past tense (pretérito
imperfecto, pretérito
indefinido, plusquamperfecto)
there are rules to be taken into consideration. We will
have a look at them. Ffirst to remind you; Is the
involvement of the speaking person in the present (tense)
there are no differences to the "normal" use
of the tenses.
As was to be seen in this table there is no difference
between the two cases if the introductory verb is in
a present tense. Then the point of time of the involvement
of the speaker and the point of time of speaking is
the same.
| As
present tenses are to be accounted |
 |
presente (=
present)
pretérito perfecto (=
present perfect)
futuro (= future
I)
futuro perfecto (=
future II) |
|
It's challenging to have a introductory verb in the
past tense.
 |
pretérito
imperfecto (= simple past)
pretérito indefinido
(= simple past)
plusquamperfecto (=
past perfect) |
|
To understand the problem we have a look at this sentence
 |
Cortaron el
árbol. = They
cut the tree. |
|
| Now
it's clear that the time has to be changed |
The rules discussed in chapter
6 are not valid anymore. If the action is before
the mental involvement of the speaker, the pretérito
plusquamperfecto is
to be used. Is the mental involvement at the same time
the imperfecto
is the right choice, with the action after the point
of involvement the right tense is the condicional.
 |
When discussing
the mental involvement one could get the
idea to discuss verbs that require the subjuntivo.
The above is - so far - only meant for the
indicativo. Furthermore, please note that
verbs like suponer
(to suppose), creer (to believe, to think),
pensar (to
think) and presumir
(to assume) do not require the subjuntivo.
Rather impersonal expressions of doubt
require the subjuntivo.
|
|
|