【英文版西语语法】Expressing Uncertainty or Conditional Outcomes with the Subjunctive

 Overview

 

The subjunctive is one of the three moods in Spanish, the other two being the indicative (actions, events, facts) and the imperative (commands). You can find more on the differences between the subjunctive and the indicative here!

 

WEIRDO

 

Many of the verbs and phrases that require the subjunctive fit into the acronym WEIRDO: Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt/Denial and Ojalá. Although this topic doesn't fit into our fancy acronym, it's still important to learn. Let's get started!

 

Conditional Outcomes

 

This type of sentence describes what will happen if another action is completed. These actions are conditional upon another action being completed, so the subjunctive is used to convey a sense of uncertainty. Many phrases with conditional circumstances have a connecting phrase or conjunctive expressions which introduce time limitations, conditions, concessions, or results.

 

As you can see below, the the key action (the one that must be completed for the second action to occur) is in the subjunctive.

Limpiaré el cuarto después de que salgan.

I will clean the room after they leave.

 

Me hablará tan pronto como llegue.

He will speak with me as soon as I arrive.

 

No iremos a la playa a menos que vayan también.

We won’t go to the beach unless they go as well.

 

Time expressions

 

These conjunctions or conjunctive expressions are often used in the type of sentence discussed in this article.

 

Time Limitations

 

These expressions introduce the idea of a time limitation.

 

Spanish English

antes (de) que

 

before

hasta que

 

until

cuando

 

when

luego que

 

as soon as

después (de) que

 

after

siempre que

 

whenever

en cuanto

 

as soon as

tan pronto como

 

as soon as

mientras

 

while

Llámame antes de que vengan.

Call me before they come.

 

Estemos aquí hasta que llegue nuestro amigo.

Let’s stay here until our friend arrives.

 

Cuando vea a sus padres los saludaré.

When I see your parents, I will tell them hello.

 

Conditions

 

These expressions introduce the idea of a condition, an action dependent on something else occurring.

 

Spanish English

dado que

 

given that, since

a no ser que

 

unless, lest

en caso (de) que

 

in case (that), if

a menos que

 

unless, lest

sea que

 

whether, if

con/a condición de que

 

on condition that

siempre y cuando que

 

provided that, as long as

con tal (de) que

 

provided that

sin que

 

without

con tanto que

 

provided that

Debemos esperarnos aquí dado que regrese.

We should wait here since she might return.

 

No voy, a no ser que vayas conmigo.

I am not going unless you go with me.

 

Me iré, sea que se decidan a salir o no.

I will leave whether they decide to go or not.

 

Concessions

 

These expressions introduce the idea of a concession, an action occurring despite something else.

 

Spanish English

aunque

 

although, even if, though

aun cuando

 

even if, even when

a pesar de que

 

in spite of

por...que

 

however

Aunque sea un hombre difícil, sabe los negocios.

Although he might be a difficult man, he knows business.

 

Aun cuando no tenga nada, no debe perder la esperanza.

Even if you have nothing, you shouldn’t lose hope.

 

Por delicioso que sea, no quiero comerlo.

However delicious it may be, I don’t want to eat it.

 

Aunque and a pesar de que do not always take the subjunctive. If the conditional statement is considered hypothetical, you will use the subjunctive and if it is factual, you will use the indicative.

 

Example:

 

Aunque es un hombre difícil, sabe de negocios.  (Although he is a difficult man, he knows about business.)

Results

 

These expressions introduce the idea of a result.

 

Spanish English

a fin de que

 

in order (that), so that, so as

de manera que

 

in order (that), so that, so as

de modo que

 

in order (that), so that, so as

para que

 

in order (that), so that, so as^^

que

 

in order (that), so that, so as

Vine para que tenga suficiente gente para el juego.

I came so that you would have enough people for the game.

 

Voy a cerrar las ventanas a fin de que no entren moscas.

I am going to close the windows so that flies won’t come in.

 

Estudiaré mucho de manera que entienda mejor el español.

I will study a lot so I can understand Spanish better.