The Subjunctive with Adverbial Clauses

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The Subjunctive with Adverbial Clauses

• 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 so that she
  will notice him.    why
• John works wherever we want. where
• Joan works after school is out. when
• Joan works as rapidly as she can. how

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• 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

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• 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.
• 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 rather than
  completed, habitual, or factual 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.

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• Adverbial conjunctions which are ALWAYS followed
  by the subjunctive (because they always indicate
  a pending/hypothetical action or state)
• Para que ? (preposition para)
• Antes de que ? (preposition antes de)
• A menos que
• A fin de que ? (preposition a fin de)
• Con tal de que ? (preposition con tal de)
• En caso de que ? (preposition en caso de)
• Sin que ? (preposition sin)

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PAAACES Examples

• No voy a la fiesta a menos que venga ella.   
• I'm not going to the party unless she comes.
• Salgo a la una con tal que se termine todo.
• I leave at 100 provided everything is done.
• Trabaja mucho para que vivan bien.
• She works hard so they (can) live well.
• No hago nada sin que lo sepan.
• I don't do anything without their knowing it.

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• Exception to remember
• 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.   
• My son lives to play the guitar.
• Ganaré antes de salir.
• I'll win before I leave before leaving.

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• Conjunctions of time
• Conjunctions of time are adverbial conjunctions
  which are sometimes followed by the subjunctive.
  They 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. If
  there is no change of subject involved and a
  preposition is available, typically the
  preposition is used with an infinitive.

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• Conjunctions of time
• Mientras
• Aunque
• Tan pronto como
• Cuando ? (preposition al upon)
• Hasta que ?(preposition hasta)
• En cuanto
• Después de que ? (prepositiondespués de)

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• MATCHED Examples
• Por lo general hago el desayuno cuando nos
  levantamos.   
• I usually make breakfast when we get up.   
  Indicative
• Lo haré cuando nos levantemos.
• I'll make it when we get up. Subjunctive
• Siempre me lavo los dientes después que comemos.
• I always brush my teeth after we eat.
  Indicative
• Me lavaré los dientes después de que comamos.
  I'll brush my teeth after we eat. Subjunctive  
  

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• MATCHED Examples (Cont.)
• Los alumnos repiten el vocabulario hasta que el
  profesor está satisfecho.
• The students repeat it until the professor is
  satisfied. Indicative
• Los alumnos repetirán el vocabulario hasta que él
  esté satisfecho.
• The students will repeat it until he is
  satisfied. Subjunctive  
• Trabajamos mientras ellos descansan.
• We work while they rest. Indicative
• Trabajaremos mientras ellos descansen.
• We will work while they rest. Subjunctive

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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
• Haré la tarea aunque no me gusta.   
• I'll do the homework, even though I don't like
  it.    Indicative It is a fact that I don't like
  it.
• Hará la tarea aunque no le guste.
• She'll do the homework, even though she may not
  like it. Subjunctive

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Other adverbial conjunctions 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.
• Escribe de modo que todos la entiendan.
• She writes so that everyone will might be able
  to understand her. Subjunctive

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De modo que, de manera que (so that in such a
way that)

• When used with the indicative they mean in such
  a way that followed by the actual result or
  outcome
• Escribe de modo que todos la entienden.   
• She writes in such a way i.e., so clearly that
  everyone understands her.    Indicative

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Other adverbial conjunctions Como

• 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)

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Como

• Como vayas conmigo, te pago la entrada.   
• If you go with me, I'll pay for your ticket.
  Subjunctive
• Como no estás listo, me voy sin ti.
• Since you're not ready, I'll go without you.
  Indicative
• Hago los quehaceres como dijiste.
• I do the chores like you said. Indicative
• Haré los quehaceres como digas.
• I'll do the chores however you (might) say.
  Subjunctive

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Website for follow up and practice

• http//www.colby.edu/bknelson/SLC/subj_pres.php