The subjunctive and the indicative with adverbial conjunctions

The Subjunctive and the Indicative
With Adverbial Conjunctions
(El subjuntivo y el indicativo con conjunciones
adverbiales)
Always Subjunctive
The subjunctive is always used after certain
adverbial conjunctions, such as the following
ones. We can use the acronym ESCAPA to help
us remember them.
E
S
C
A
P
A
en caso de que . . . . . . . . in case
sin que . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .without, unless
con tal (de) que . . . . . . . . provided that
antes (de) que . . . . . . . . . before
para que (a fin de que) . . so that, in order that
a menos que . . . . . . . . . . unless
Always Subjunctive
Following are examples of usage of adverbial
conjunctions that always require the subjunctive.
Déle la recomendación para que la lea.
Give him the recommendation so that he
can read it.
Carmen no va a aceptar el trabajo a menos que le
suban el sueldo.
Carmen is not going to accept the job unless
they raise the salary.
Always Subjunctive
Following are examples of usage of adverbial
conjunctions that always require the subjunctive.
Lleve la evaluación en caso de que la necesitemos.
Take the evaluation in case we need it.
Le recomiendo que visite el museo antes de que lo
cierren.
I recommend that you visit the museum
before they close it.
No me enojo con tal que el jefe me dé una
bonificación.
I will not get angry provided that the boss
gives me a bonus.
Always Indicative
A few conjunctions always use the indicative
because they convey that the action in the
subordinate clause has actually occurred, is
occurring, or will occur.
ahora que / ya que . . . . . now that, since
desde que . . . . . . . . . . . . since
porque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . because
Always Indicative
Following are examples of usage of adverbial
conjunctions that always require the indicative.
Srta. Martínez, le ofrezco el trabajo ahora que la
necesito.
Miss Martínez, I’m offering you the job now that
I need you.
El plan de retiro es más atractivo desde que
incluimos más incentivos.
The retirement plan is more attractive since we
included more incentives.
Always Indicative
Following are examples of usage of adverbial
conjunctions that always require the indicative.
El jefe le dio el trabajo a Pedro porque lo
impresionó mucho.
The boss gave the job to Pedro because he
impressed him a lot.
El plan de seguro le interesa mucho a Juanita
porque va a tener un bebé.
The insurance plan interests Juanita a lot
because she is going to have a baby.
Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative
Cuando, hasta que, tan pronto como / en cuanto
Habitual actions or events: indicative
Cuando mi hermano me visita, siempre hablamos
sobre las motos.
Whenever my brother visits me, we always talk about
motorcycles.
Normalmente, hablamos hasta que nos dormimos de
cansancio.
Normally, we talk until we fall asleep from weariness.
Tan pronto como mi hermano me llama, saco mi
moto y me preparo para dar un paseo.
As soon as my brother calls me, I get out my motorcycle
and get ready to take a ride.
Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative
Cuando, hasta que, tan pronto como / en cuanto
Past actions or events: indicative
Cuando salimos para México en julio, yo esperé en
el aeropuerto hasta que todos los estudiantes
llegaron.
When we left for Mexico in July, I waited at the airport
until all the students arrived.
En cuanto llegaron, les hice facturar su equipaje.
As soon as they arrived, I had them check their luggage.
Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative
Cuando, hasta que, tan pronto como / en cuanto
Future actions or events: subjunctive
Cuando yo vaya a Oaxaca la próxima vez, voy a
llevar a mi esposa también.
When I go to Oaxaca the next time, I’m going to take my
wife too.
Vamos a quedarnos allí hasta que visitemos todos
los museos y parques.
We’re going to stay there until we visit all the museums
and parks.
Tan pronto como tengamos suficiente dinero,
vamos a hacer las reservaciones.
As soon as we have enough money, we’re going to make
reservations.
Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative
aunque
“Even though” = indicative
Aunque llueve, sigue en marcha el partido de
fútbol. (It is indeed raining, but the game goes
on.)
“Even if” = subjunctive
Aunque llueva mañana, pensamos ir a la
playa. (It’s not raining, and it may not rain, but
even if it does, we’re planning to go to the
beach.)
FIN