The Past Subjunctive
The past subjunctive (conjunctiv perfect) is wonderfully simple to form. Unlike the present subjunctive, which changes endings depending on the subject, the past subjunctive is completely invariable.
To form it, use să fi followed by the verb's past participle. This exact same form is used for every person (I, you, he, she, we, they).
A common use is to express speculations or deductions about the past. Combined with trebuie (must), it expresses what must have happened.
| The jury must have chosen a moving film. | Juriul trebuie să fi ales un film emoționant. |
It is also used for past possibilities, such as with e posibil (it is possible).
| It is possible that he deserved the prize. | E posibil să fi meritat premiul. |
Direct object pronouns attach to să with a hyphen, just as in the present subjunctive. For example, să îl becomes să-l (so "to have deserved it" becomes să-l fi meritat).
| Did she really win the trophy for the directing of this film? She must have deserved it! | Chiar a câștigat trofeul pentru regia acestui film? Trebuie să-l fi meritat! |
Negations and Hopes
To make the past subjunctive negative, place nu immediately after să, resulting in să nu fi + past participle. This is useful when expressing relief or hopes about past events, using verbs like a spera (to hope).
| I hope I didn't miss last night's show. | Sper să nu fi ratat spectacolul de aseară. |
Impressions and Appearances
The past subjunctive pairs naturally with phrases introducing uncertainty, subjective opinions, or appearances. For instance, use pare (it seems) to say someone seems to have done something.
| The jury seems to have appreciated the film's script. | Juriul pare să fi apreciat scenariul filmului. |