The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses
I. Adverbs indicate such things as why, where, when, and how. Typical adverbs in
English are words like “soon”, “here” and “quickly”; adverbial phrases are groups of
words used in the same way, such as “on Sunday” or “with compassion”. Likewise, an
entire clause —remember that a clause has a subject and predicate— may have an
adverbial function:
John is working to win her attention.
John works at home.
Joan works late.
Joan works quickly.
(preposition) reason
location
time
mode/form
John is working so that she will notice him.
John works wherever we want.
Joan works after school is out.
Joan works as rapidly as she can.
[why]
[where]
[when]
[how]
[why]
[where]
[when]
[how]
Adverbial clauses are introduced by conjunctions, such as para que (so that), antes de
que (before), and hasta que (until). The indicative or subjunctive mood may be
required in the adverbial clause in Spanish, or an adverbial phrase (preposition plus
infinitive) may be used, depending on:
1. Whether there is a change of subject. If no change of subject is involved and a
preposition exists which corresponds to the conjunction, that preposition plus an
infinitive is normally used, e.g.: He's saving his money so he can buy a car,
Ahorra su dinero para poder comprar un coche. [A list of the corresponding
prepositions is given below.]
2. The type situation or time in the adverbial clause. In general, if the situation in
the adverbial clause is viewed as something hypothetical or anticipated, then
the subjunctive is required. In contrast, if the adverbial expression deals with
something that is viewed as completed, habitual, or factual, the indicative is
used. Some adverbial conjunctions by their very nature deal with something
hypothetical or anticipated and thus are always followed by the subjunctive;
others may take either the subjunctive or the indicative.
II. Adverbial conjunctions which are ALWAYS followed by the subjunctive (because
they always indicate a pending/hypothetical action or state):
Conjunction
a fin de que
a condición de que
a menos que
a no ser que
antes (de) que
con tal (de) que
en caso de que
no sea que / no fuera que
para que
sin que
Translation
so that
on the condition that
unless
lest, unless
before
provided that
in case
lest, so that ... not
so that
without
Corresponding preposition
a fin de
antes de
con tal de
en caso de
(= para no)
para
sin
Notes: 1) Where de is given in parentheses above, it is optional; that is, the conjunction before may be expressed as
antes que or antes de que.
Examples:
No voy a menos que ella venga.
Salgo a la una con tal que se termine
todo.
Trabaja mucho para que vivan bien.
No hago nada sin que lo sepan.
I'm not going unless she comes.
I leave at 1:00 provided everything is
done.
She works hard so they (can) live well.
I don't do anything without their knowing
it.
Normally a preposition is used when no change of subject is involved; it is followed by
an infinitive, not the subjunctive or indicative. Examples:
Mi hijo vive para tocar la guitarra.
Ganaré antes de salir.
My son lives to play the guitar.
I'll win before I leave [before leaving.]
III. Adverbial conjunctions of time: The following adverbial conjunctions deal with
time, and are followed by the subjunctive when they introduce an anticipated situation.
If they introduce one which is viewed as completed or habitual, they are followed by
the indicative. Of course, if there is no change of subject involved and a preposition is
available, typically the preposition is used with an infinitive.
Conjunction
a medida que
cuando
dado que
después (de) que
en cuanto
hasta que
luego que
mientras
nada más que
por más ... que
por mucho que
siempre que
tan pronto como
Translation
as, according as
When
granted that, in case that
After
as soon as
until
as soon as
while
as soon as
no matter how much, however much
no mater how much, however much
whenever, every time that
as soon as
Preposition
(al = upon)
después de
hasta
Examples:
Por lo general lo hago cuando nos
levantamos.
Lo haré cuando nos levantemos.
I usually do it when we get
up.
I'll do it when we get up.
[Indicative]
Siempre me lavo los dientes
después que comemos.
Me lavaré los dientes después de
que comamos.
I always brush my teeth
after we eat.
I'll brush my teeth after we
eat.
[Indicative]
Los alumnos lo repiten hasta que
el profesor está satisfecho.
Los alumnos lo repetirán hasta
que él esté satisfecho.
The students repeat it until
the professor is satisfied.
The students will repeat it
until he is satisfied.
[Indicative]
[Subjunctive]
[Subjunctive]
[Subjunctive]
Trabajamos mientras ellos
descansan.
Trabajaremos mientras ellos
descansen.
We work while they rest.
[Indicative]
We will work while they
rest.
[Subjunctive]
IV. Other adverbial conjunctions:
•
Aunque (although, even though, even if). The indicative is used if a fact is
involved or the outcome is known; otherwise the subjunctive is used:
Lo haré aunque no
le gusta.
Lo haré aunque no
le guste.
•
I'll do it, even though she
doesn't like it.
I'll do it, even though she
may not like it.
De modo que, de manera que (so that; in such a way that). These two
expressions are identical. If used similarly to para que (in order that, indicating
the purpose of an action), they require the subjunctive; they are used with the
indicative if they mean “in such a way that” [followed by the actual result or
outcome]:
Escribe de modo que
todos la entienden.
Escribe de modo que
todos la entiendan.
•
[Indicative It is a fact that she
doesn't like it.]
[Subjunctive]
She writes in such a way [i.e., so
clearly] that everyone understands her.
She writes so that everyone will
[might be able to] understand her.
[Indicative]
[Subjunctive]
Como is followed by the subjunctive if it used to mean “if”, by the indicative if it
means “because” [at the beginning of a sentence], and by either the indicative or
the subjunctive (depending on hypothetical/future aspect) if it means
“how(ever)”:
Como vayas conmigo, te pago
la entrada.
Como no estás listo, me voy sin
ti.
Lo hago como dijiste.
Lo haré como digas.
Contact: Fred F. Jehle
Indiana University - Purdue University Ft. Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
USA
If you go with me, I'll pay for
your ticket.
Since you're not ready, I'll go
without you.
I'll do it like you said.
I'll do it however you (might)
say.
Home: http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/
URL: http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/subjadv.htm
[Subjunctive]
[Indicative]
[Indicative]
[Subjunctive]