Pedir que + subjuntivo present / subjuntivo imperfect

Question

Hello 
 
I see two lesson of pedir que with subjuntivo present and imperfect, both says this way is used to ask someone to do something but i am really confused when to use present vs imperfect with pedir que.
 
Thanks
Davesh

Accepted Answer

Hola Davesh,
Thank you for your question! The difference between using the present subjunctive and the imperfect subjunctive with "pedir que" depends on the tense of the main verb, which in this case is "pedir". When you use the present subjunctive (for example, pido que vengas), it applies when the request or action is happening in the present or the future. This is used to ask someone to do something in the present or near future.
On the other hand, the imperfect subjunctive (for example, pedí que vinieras) is used when the main verb "pedir" is in the past. It refers to requests made in the past or hypothetical situations. Essentially, if the act of asking is happening now or in the future, you use the present subjunctive, but if the act of asking happened in the past or in a hypothetical or imagined scenario, you use the imperfect subjunctive.
I hope this explanation helps clarify things for you! Feel free to ask if you need more examples or further clarification.
Feliz miércoles
Silvia