Is the refence to the future the only thing that distinguishes between whether it describes a comleted actions in rhe past or future? thank you

Emanuel B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Is the refence to the future the only thing that distinguishes between whether it describes a comleted actions in rhe past or future? thank you

Asked 4 years ago
InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Emanuel,

Yes, that reference to the future is what makes it refer to a completed future action. If we had no future reference we would think it is referring to the past. For example:

Espero que hayan empezado a construir la nueva urbanización antes de septiembre.

(referring to the future)

Espero que hayan empezado a construir la nueva urbanización.

(referring to the past- unless it is omitting the future reference because it is assumed, i.e. it was mentioned before in the conversation so there is no need to repeat.)

Saludos,

Inma

Is the refence to the future the only thing that distinguishes between whether it describes a comleted actions in rhe past or future? thank you

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