The Subjunctive and the Indicative With Adverbial Conjunctions

(El subjuntivo y el indicativo con conjunciones adverbiales)

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

en caso de que . . . . . . . . in case

sin que . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .without, unless

E

S

CA

P

A

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.

Always 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 SubjunctiveFollowing 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.

Always SubjunctiveFollowing are examples of usage of adverbial conjunctions that always require the subjunctive.

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.

porque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . because

ahora que / ya que . . . . . now that, since

desde que . . . . . . . . . . . . since

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.

Always 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 IndicativeFollowing 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.

Always IndicativeFollowing are examples of usage of adverbial conjunctions that always require the indicative.

Cuando, hasta que, tan pronto como / en cuanto

Cuando mi hermano me visita, siempre hablamos sobre las motos.

Habitual actions or events: indicative

Normalmente, hablamos hasta que nos dormimos de cansancio.

Tan pronto como mi hermano me llama, saco mi moto y me preparo para dar un paseo.

Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative

Whenever my brother visits me, we always talk about motorcycles.

Normally, we talk until we fall asleep from weariness.

As soon as my brother calls me, I get out my motorcycle and get ready to take a ride.

Cuando salimos para México en julio, yo esperé en el aeropuerto hasta que todos los estudiantes llegaron.

Past actions or events: indicative

En cuanto llegaron, les hice facturar su equipaje.

Cuando, hasta que, tan pronto como / en cuanto

Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative

When we left for Mexico in July, I waited at the airport until all the students arrived.

As soon as they arrived, I had them check their luggage.

Cuando yo vaya a Oaxaca la próxima vez, voy a llevar a mi esposa también.

Future actions or events: subjunctive

Vamos a quedarnos allí hasta que visitemos todos los museos y parques.

Tan pronto como tengamos suficiente dinero, vamos a hacer las reservaciones.

Cuando, hasta que, tan pronto como / en cuanto

Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative

When I go to Oaxaca the next time, I’m going to take my wife too.

We’re going to stay there until we visit all the museums and parks.

As soon as we have enough money, we’re going to make reservations.

aunque

Aunque llueve, sigue en marcha el partido de fútbol. (It is indeed raining, but the game goes on.)

“Even though” = indicative

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.)

“Even if” = subjunctive

Sometimes Subjunctive, Sometimes Indicative

FIN