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
con tal (de) que . . . . . . . . provided that
antes (de) que . . . . . . . . . before
para 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.
Dale las llaves para que abra la puerta
Give him the keys so that he can open the
door.
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 un paraguas en caso de que llueva.
Take the umbrella in case it rains.
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 d una
bonificacin.
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 or is
occurring.
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. Martnez, le ofrezco el trabajo ahora que la
necesito.
Miss Martnez, Im offering you the job now that
I need you.
El plan de retiro es ms atractivo desde que
incluimos ms 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.
La jefa le dio el trabajo a Pedro porque es
muy talentoso.
The boss gave the job to Pedro because he
is very taleted.
El plan de seguro le interesa mucho a Juanita
ahora que est embarazada.
The insurance plan interests Juanita a lot now
that she is pregnant.

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 Mxico en julio, yo esper 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 prxima vez, voy a
llevar a mi esposa tambin.
When I go to Oaxaca the next time, Im going to take my
wife too.

Vamos a quedarnos all hasta que visitemos todos

los museos y parques.
Were 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, were going to make

reservations.

Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative

aunque
Even though = indicative
Aunque llueve, sigue en marcha el partido de
ftbol. (It is indeed raining, but the game
goes on.)

Even if = subjunctive
Aunque llueva maana, pensamos ir a la
playa. (Its not raining, and it may not rain, but
even if it does, were planning to go to the
beach.)

FIN