Why is this in the past tense and not the present tense?

HelenC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Why is this in the past tense and not the present tense?

"Il a peur que nous ne soyons pas rentrées à temps." (He's worried that we might not get home on time.) Why wouldn't this be in the present tense subjunctive? "il a peur que nous ne rentrions pas a temps."
Asked 6 years ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hmmmmm....I would have translated the given French sentence as: "He is afraid that we might not have got home on time." But I would hope Aurélie chimes in on that. -- Chris (not a native speaker).
HelenC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks, Chris, I hope she or Laura chimes in!!
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Helen and Chris ! Yes indeed, the translation was off, but thanks to you, I've now edited the example accordingly. :) Merci beaucoup et à bientôt !

Why is this in the past tense and not the present tense?

"Il a peur que nous ne soyons pas rentrées à temps." (He's worried that we might not get home on time.) Why wouldn't this be in the present tense subjunctive? "il a peur que nous ne rentrions pas a temps."

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