Does the rain continue to stop?

Question

When to use Le Subjonctif Présent or Le Subjonctif Passé?Regardless of the tense used in the main clause, the question is whether the main clause action will go on until the action after jusqu'à ce que happens, or until it has happened and stopped:On est restés à l'intérieur jusqu'à ce que la pluie s'arrête. We stayed inside until the rain stopped.I've managed to confuse myself.  In the example above surely the rain has completed its stopping – so should the phrase be:On est restés à l'intérieur jusqu'à ce que la pluie se soit arrêtéeWe stayed inside until after the rain had stoppedOr are both correct? Or am I just over-thinking this?

Accepted Answer

Both are correct. But using the past subjunctive capitalizes on the fact that there is a time gap between the rain stopping and your going outside.The present subjunctive makes no such implication. Here is how I would cast this difference in English:
On est restés à l'interieur jusque à ce que la pluie s'arrête. -- We stayed inside until the rain stopped.On est restés à l'interieur jusque à ce que la pluie se soit arrêtée. -- We stayed inside until after the rain had stopped.

Answer

Bonjour Richard,
https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/fr-jusqu%C3%A0-ce-que-temps-subjonctif-pr%C3%A9sent-pass%C3%A9.2880849/
You may find it interesting to view the above link, in particular, the comments by Maître Capello who I have rated highly for many years.
It does not answer your query directly but nevertheless may help your understanding.
Bonne journée
Jim