Syntax
Table of contents
Infinitive Tense
| Infinitive Tense | Time of infinitive action relative to main verb |
|---|---|
| present | at the same time |
| perfect | before |
Sequence of Tenses
| Main Verb Tense | Subordinate (Subjunctive) Verb Tense | Relationship of Subordinate Verb to Main Verb |
|---|---|---|
| primary (present, future, future perfect) | present | incomplete, in progress |
| perfect | completed | |
| secondary (imperfect, perfect, pluperfect) | imperfect | incomplete, in progress |
| pluperfect | completed |
Conditions
| Type of Condition | Protasis (“if”) | Apodosis (“then”) | Translation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| present simple | present indicative | present indicative | – |
| past simple | past indicative | past indicative | – |
| future more vivid / future simple | future or future perfect indicative | future or future perfect indicative | – (optional: translate verb of protasis as present tense) |
| present contrary-to-fact | imperfect subjunctive | imperfect subjunctive | if: “were [verb]ing”; then: “would [verb]” |
| past contrary-to-fact | pluperfect subjunctive | pluperfect subjunctive | if: “had [verb]ed”; then: “would have [verb]ed” |
| future less vivid | present subjunctive | present subjunctive | if: “should [verb]”; then: “would [verb]” |