Perfect Subjunctive: Emotions and Past

This tense is a "compound tense." That means it uses two verbs together. The first verb is the auxiliary verb ter. The second verb is the main action. This main action is always in the participle form. You use this when the main clause is now. But the action happened in the past. Or maybe it should have happened. It is the perfect tool for expressing relief. It is great for showing regret too. It adds flavor to your sentences. It moves beyond simple facts. It adds your personal touch to the past.

1. 1Creating this tense is like following a recipe.
2. 2Start with the verb ter in the Present Subjunctive.
3. 3Add the Past Participle of your main verb.
4. 4Here is how you conjugate ter:
5. 5Eu tenha
6. 6Você/Ele/Ela tenha
7. 7Nós tenhamos
8. 8Vocês/Eles/Elas tenham
9. 9Now, add the participle. For -ar verbs, use -ado. For -er and -ir verbs, use -ido.
10. 10Example: falar becomes falado.
11. 11Example: comer becomes comido.
12. 12Example: partir becomes partido.
13. 13Put them together: Eu tenha falado.
14. 14It is like a grammar Lego set. Just snap the pieces together!

Use this tense for emotional reactions. You are glad something happened. "Fico feliz que você tenha vindo." You are sad about a past event. "Sinto muito que ela tenha partido." Use it for doubts about the past. "Duvido que eles tenham terminado." Use it after expressions of necessity or value. "É bom que você tenha estudado." It works perfectly for job interviews. "Espero que o senhor tenha recebido meu currículo." It also works when ordering food. "Que pena que o bolo tenha acabado!" It covers surprise, fear, and joy. If you feel it, use it.

Do not use this for cold facts. Facts use the Pretérito Perfeito Indicativo. "Eu sei que ele chegou." Use the indicative here because it is certain. Do not use it for ongoing past actions. If the action was a habit, use something else. This tense is for finished, completed events. If you are certain, stay in the indicative. The subjunctive is for the "subjective" world. Avoid it when there is no doubt or emotion. It is like a spice. Do not put it on everything.

Many people forget the verb ter entirely. They use the simple past instead. This sounds a bit "robotic" or incorrect. Another mistake is using the wrong participle. Watch out for irregulars like feito or visto. Never say fazido or verido. That will make a Brazilian grandmother cringe. Some people use houver instead of ter. Houver is very formal and rare. Stick to ter for daily life. Also, don't mix up the person. "Nós" always needs tenhamos. It is a common slip-up for learners.

Compare this to the Imperfect Subjunctive. That is the one with tivesse. Use tivesse for "if" scenarios. "Se eu tivesse dinheiro..." Use tenha for "I'm glad that..." scenarios. One is for imaginary worlds. The other is for real past actions. Also, compare it to the Present Subjunctive. "Espero que você venha" (Future). "Espero que você tenha vindo" (Past). One looks forward. The other looks backward. It is like a grammar traffic light. Green for future, yellow for past.