38 17th Subjunctive Sentences + Explanations Flashcards
(165 cards)
1
Q
The subjunctive indicators are easier to learn if you understand the basic reasons to use the subjunctive that each list represents. The mnemonic device WEIRD may help you remember the five basic reasons for using the subjunctive:
A
Wish Emotion Impersonal Expressions Requests Doubt (of existence or of occurrence)
2
Q
If the point of a sentence is to express a hope, desire, or need, the subjunctive is used for the verb that is wished. When the first clause indicates that what follows is not necessarily a reality, but rather something the subject of the first clause desires or needs, the verb after que must be in the subjunctive. It does not matter whether these are basic sentences or questions, nor does it matter whether they are affirmative or negative. You must use the subjunctive after que if one of these verbs of desire is somewhere before que.
A
In the sample sentences below, the subjunctive indicator is boldface and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined. Pay attention to what the subjunctive conjugation looks like and what verb was used in the beginning of the sentence that required the present subjunctive conjugation after que.
3
Q
to desire, to want
A
desear
4
Q
He doesn’t want me to call him.
A
Él no desea que yo lo llame.
5
Q
My dog hopes that we take a walk.
A
Mi perro espera que demos un paseo.
6
Q
We need you to introduce us to your parents.
A
Necesitamos que tú nos presentes a tus padres.
7
Q
Carlos does not want his daughter to play the drums.
A
Carlos no quiere que su hija toque el tambor.
8
Q
In “two‐verb” sentences where there is no change of subject (and no que), the first verb is conjugated and the second is in the infinitive form.
A
These verbs are often used without que, but only if the subject is the same for both verbs.
9
Q
He wants to buy a new computer.
Who wants? He does. Who buys? He does.
A
Él desea comprar una computadora nueva.
10
Q
We hope to win a lot of games.
Who hopes? We do. Who wins? We do.
A
Esperamos ganar muchos partidos.
11
Q
Everyone needs to bring his or her notebook.
Who needs? Everyone. Who brings? Everyone.
A
Todos necesitan traer sus cuadernos.
12
Q
English sentences often use an infinitive even when there is a change of subject. For example, you cannot translate the following sentence into Spanish word for word: “ He doesn’t want me to go.” It is better to think of this sentence as “He doesn’t want that I go” because, in Spanish, you cannot use the infinitive when there are two different subjects in the sentence and the main verb is a subjunctive indicator.
A
One common expression used to express a wish is somewhat unusual because it is impersonal. The expression ojalá is one exception in which you use the subjunctive mood without que. An Arabic expression that means “may Allah grant that,” ojalá is used in Spanish to mean “hopefully” or “if only.” Because it is impersonal, there is no subject and it is technically not conjugated. It is always written in the same form and is always followed by the subjunctive mood even if there is no que.
13
Q
Hopefully, you will bring the address.
A
Ojalá que traigas las direcciones.
14
Q
Hopefully, we will see your boyfriend tonight.
A
Ojalá veamos a su novio esta noche.
15
Q
Hopefully, he will not lose his passport.
A
Ojalá que no pierda su pasaporte.
16
Q
EMOTION
When the first clause expresses an emotion about what is happening in the second clause, the verb in the second clause (after que) is in the subjunctive mood. Therefore, verbs that express emotion are subjunctive indicators. Many verbs of emotion are very similar to the verb gustar.
A
The Spanish versions of “it angers me” or “it disappoints him” use an impersonal sentence structure, which means the subject of the sentence is “it.” For this reason, the verb stays in the él form. An indirect object, such as le, is used to reflect the individual who is feeling the emotion. The sample sentences below demonstrate how indirect objects other than le are used with these verbs. Notice that when the sentence is negative, the no precedes the indirect object and the verb following que is still in the subjunctive.
17
Q
it moves/affects (him) that =
Les conmueve que su abuela se mude hoy.
A
le) conmueve que
It moves them that their grandmother is moving today.
18
Q
To affect
A
conmover
19
Q
it disappoints (him) that
It does not disappoint me that your team always loses
A
le) desilusiona que
No me desilusiona que tu equipo siempre pierda.
20
Q
it thrills (him) that =
A
(le) emociona que
21
Q
it delights (him) that It delights us that you guys visit us.
A
(le) encanta que
Nos encanta que ustedes nos visiten.
22
Q
it angers (him) that
Does it anger you that the politicians do not listen to you?
A
(le) enfada que
¿Le enfada a Ud. que los políticos no le escuchen?
23
Q
it angers (him) that
It angers me that the greedy ones have all the money.
A
(le) enoja que
Me enoja que los avaros tengan todo el dinero.
24
Q
it saddens (him) that
It saddens her that the poor live in the streets.
A
(le) entristece que
Le entristece que los pobres vivan en las calles.
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it pleases (him) that
It does not please me that you always forget my birthday.
(le) gusta que
No me gusta que tu siempre olvides mi cumpleaños.
26
it makes (him) happy that
Does it make them happy that I am painting their house?
le) hace feliz que
¿Les hace felices que yo pinte su casa?
27
it makes (him) (emotion) that
It makes us happy that you do not have any problem.
(le) hace (emoción) que
Nos hace feliz que no tengas ningún problema.
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it irritates (him) that
It irritates them that you know everything.
le) irrita que
Les irrita que sepas todo.
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it bothers (him) that
It does not bother Rafael that I speak with his Boss.
(le) molesta que
A Rafael no le molesta que yo hable con su jefe.
30
it makes (him) content that
It makes them content that he give them good advice.
(le) pone contento que
Las pone contentas que él les dé buenos consejos.
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it makes (him) (emotion) that
It makes you sad that I cannot attend your presentation.
le) pone (emoción) que
Te pone triste que yo no pueda asistir a tu presentación.
32
it surprises (him) that
It does not surprise me that you want to marry her.
(le) sorprende que
No me sorprende que tú quieras casarte con ella
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Listed below are more subjunctive indicators that express emotion. Unlike the verbs above, these verbs must be conjugated in order to agree with the subject of the first clause. Notice that the verb following que must be in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive indicator is bold and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined.
If the verb has se attached to the infinitive, it is reflexive. You may be able to remember reflexive pronouns after looking at the sample sentences.
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to be happy that
I am happy that Raquel uses the foreign language.
alegrarse de que
Me alegro de que Raquel utilice el idioma extranjero
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to be proud that
They are not proud that their son has problems with the law.
enorgullecerse de que
No se enorgullecen de que su hijo tenga problemas con la ley.
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to be delighted that
They are delighted that we are giving them a TV.
estar encantado de que
Ellas están encantadas de que les regalemos una televisión.
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to regret that
Toni regrets that I do not ski every day.
lamentar que
Toni lamenta que no yo esquíe cada día
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to regret that
Constanza and Pilar regret that your book is ripped.
sentir (e> ie) que
Constanza y Pilar sienten que tu libro esté roto.
39
to fear that
Are you afraid that your son believes in monsters?
temer que
¿Temes que tu hijo crea en monstruos?
40
to be afraid that
They are not afraid that the corporations will rob them.
tener miedo de que
Ellos no tienen miedo de que las corporaciones los roben.
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Impersonal expressions
There are many expressions in Spanish that are considered impersonal because they do not have a specific person as the subject. They are always conjugated in the él form because the subject is “it.” These expressions often indicate some sort of opinion about the clause that follows que. Because the focus of the sentence is on the opinion being expressed rather than on the action of the verb that comes after que, that verb is in the subjunctive.
Notice in the examples that follow that the verb is already conjugated in the él form. Most of the expressions include es + adjective + que. With a few exceptions (which are explained later), any impersonal expression constructed using es + adjective + que will be followed by a verb in the subjunctive. It does not matter whether these expressions are affirmative or negative, sentences or questions.
In the sample sentences, the subjunctive indicator is bold and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined
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it is advisable that
It is not advisable that you visit without calling.
conviene que
No conviene que visites sin llamar.
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it is better that
It is better that your friends protect you.
más vale que
Más vale que tus amigos te protejan.
44
it may be that
It may be that Rebeca will not continue attending that school.
puede ser que
Puede ser que Rebeca no siga asistiendo a esa escuela.
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it is good that
It is not good that Daniel whines when he has homework.
es bueno que
No es bueno que Daniel gima cuando tiene tarea.
46
it is unlikely that
It is unlikely that he will return your magazine.
es difícil que
Es difícil que devuelva tu periódico.
47
it is doubtful that
It is doubtful that we will eat lunch today.
es dudoso que
Es dudoso que almorcemos hoy.
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it is likely that
It is likely that they will punish the thief.
es fácil que
Es fácil que ellos castiguen al ladrón.
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it is fantastic that
It is fantastic that you play jai alai.
es fantástico que
Es fantástico que juegues jai alai.
50
it is time that
Is it time that we leave for the airport?
es hora de que
¿Es hora de que salgamos para el aeropuerto?
51
it is important that
It is important that you hug your children.
es importante que
Es importante que abrace a sus hijos .
52
it is impossible that
It is impossible that television does not influence children.
es imposible que
Es imposible que la televisión no influya en los niños.
The double negation in Spanish “no and impossible” does not produce a change of the meaning to “possible,” as in English.
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it is unlikely that
It is unlikely that Susan will drown because she swims well.
es improbable que
Es improbable que Susana se ahogue porque ella nada bien.
54
it is incredible that
It is incredible that we sleep so many hours each night.
es increíble que
Es increíble que durmamos tantas horas cada noche.
55
it is a shame that
It is a shame that Belinda dresses so badly.
es (una) lástima que
Es una lástima que Belinda se vista tan mal .
56
it is bad that
It is bad that we pollute nature.
es malo que
Es malo que contaminemos la naturaleza.
57
it is better that
It is better that you choose something very comfortable.
es mejor que
Es mejor que escojas algo muy cómodo.
58
it is necessary that
It is not necessary that they convince me.
es necesario que
No es necesario que me convenzan.
59
it is possible that
It is possible that I have the newspaper at home.
es posible que
Es posible que yo tenga el periódico en casa.
60
it is necessary that
It is necessary that you arrive on time.
es preciso que
Es preciso que Uds. lleguen a tiempo.
61
it is preferable that
It is preferable that Manuela explain it.
es preferible que
Es preferible que Manuela lo explique.
62
it is ridiculous that
It is ridiculous that she does not know the address.
es ridículo que
Es ridículo que ella no sepa la dirección.
63
it is terrible that
It is terrible that kids do not communicate with their parents.
es terrible que
Es terrible que los niños no se comuniquen con sus padres.
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it is sad that
It is sad that the house is not worth more.
es triste que
Es triste que la casa no valga más.
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An impersonal expression does not need to express doubt in order to be followed by the subjunctive, but the few impersonal expressions that completely eliminate doubt (affirmative expressions of certainty) are followed by the indicative.
Note: Verbs that express certainty are subjunctive indicators only when used negatively. Look carefully at the following sample sentences for each expression in this category. These affirmative expressions of certainty are not subjunctive indicators and no verb is conjugated in the subjunctive mood, so there is nothing bold or underlined in the sample sentences.
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it is clear that
It is clear that the player lies to his girlfriend.
es claro que
Es claro que el jugador le miente a su novia.
67
it is certain that
It is certain that we do not live enough.
es cierto que
Es cierto que no vivimos bastante.
68
it is evident that
It is evident that the economy changes.
es evidente que
Es evidente que la economía cambia.
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it is that
It is that I will miss my flight if I do not hurry.
es que
Es que voy a perder mi vuelo si no me apresuro.
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it is true that
It is true that you deserve good grades.
es verdad que
Es verdad que tú mereces buenas notas.
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There is one expression that must be negative in order to indicate certainty and, therefore, requires you to use the indicative mood after que. In its affirmative form, it is listed with the subjunctive indicators.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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it is not doubtful that
It is not doubtful Diana is the real leader.
no es dudoso que
No es dudoso que Diana es la verdadera líder.
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Requests
1) The first group of subjunctive indicators that follow includes verbs that indicate some type of request or indirect command. The person who is the subject of the first clause requests that the subject of the second clause do something or not do something.
3) In the sample sentences, the subjunctive indicator is bold and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined. Pay attention to what the subjunctive conjugation looks like and the verb that was used in the beginning of the sentence that required the use of the present subjunctive after que.
2) Because the action of the verb being requested may never occur, the verb is in the subjunctive mood. It makes no difference whether the sentences are affirmative or negative for this group of indicators. The verbs implying an indirect request are subjunctive indicators because they indicate that the verb in the clause that follows que must be in the subjunctive. The subjunctive indicator itself is used in the beginning of the sentence, so it is not conjugated in the subjunctive mood. It indicates that the verb in the second clause (after que) be conjugated in the subjunctive mood.
74
to advise, to warn
They advise me that I (should) work more.
aconsejar
Ellos me aconsejan que yo trabaje más.
75
to approve
Elena approves that my family have the party.
aprobar (o> ue)
Elena aprueba que mi familia tenga la fiesta.
76
to tell
Estela tells you to do your homework.
decirle (e> i)
Estela te dice que hagas tu tarea.
77
to let, to allow
My father does not permit that I drive alone.
dejar
Mi padre no deja que yo conduzca solo.
78
to insist
The teachers insist that their students listen to them.
empeñarse en
Los maestros se empeñan en que sus estudiantes los oigan.
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to demand
Yolanda demands that her children do their chores.
exigir
Yolanda exije que sus niños hagan sus quehaceres.
80
to please
Do you like that I call you occasionally?
gustar
¿Te gusta que te llame de vez en cuando?
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to make
Emilio makes us come to see him.
hacer
Emilio hace que nosotras vengamos a verlo.
82
to prevent, to impede
His problems prevent Mark from being successful.
impedir (e> i)
Sus problemas impiden que Marco tenga éxito.
83
to insist
The lawyer insists that they help me.
insistir en
El abogado insiste en que ellos me ayuden.
84
to order, to demand
The boss demands that the employees arrive on time.
mandar
El jefe manda que los empleados lleguen a tiempo
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to request
Silvia requests that the waiter bring a glass of water.
pedir (e> i)
Silvia pide que el camarero traiga un vaso de agua.
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to permit
The manager does not permit that the employees arrive late.
permitir
El gerente no permite que los empleados lleguen tarde.
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to prefer
The wife prefers that the husband cook dinner.
preferir
La esposa prefiere que el esposo cocine la cena.
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to prohibit
The law does not prohibit that they smoke cigarettes.
prohibir
La ley no prohibe que fumen cigarrillos.
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to propose
Berto proposes that Ernesto work with him.
proponer
Berto propone que Ernesto trabaje con él.
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to pray
Lupe prays that her father will be careful.
rezar
Lupe reza para que su padre se cuide .
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to suggest
The doctor suggests that I do not eat so many sweets.
sugerir (e> ie)
El doctor sugiere que yo no coma tantos dulces.
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to beg
The mendicants beg that someone give them money.
suplicar
Los mendigos suplican que alguien les dé dinero.
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For the above verbs to be subjunctive indicators, they must be followed by que. As you can see in the examples below, you use the infinitive after any of the above verbs if the sentence does not have que.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
94
It pleases me to study the social sciences.
Me gusta estudiar las ciencias sociales
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They prefer to eat vegetables.
Prefieren comer verduras.
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Doubt
Although doubt is not the only reason for using the subjunctive after que, the elimination of doubt requires the use of the indicative mood after que. Therefore, the following verbs that express doubt are subjunctive indicators only if used affirmatively.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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to doubt
Her parents doubt that she sets the table.
dudar
Sus padres dudan que ella ponga la mesa.
98
to deny
Leonora denies that Ana hates her classes.
negar (e> ie)
Leonora niega que Ana aborrezca sus clases .
99
When used negatively, these verbs eliminate doubt, and the verb after que must be in the indicative mood. Keep an eye out for negative words such as nunca or nadie.
When used before the noun, these words make a sentence negative without using the word no.
100
Maribel does not doubt that I oppose her plan.
Maribel no duda que yo me opongo a su plan.
101
Nobody denies that her plans never work.
Nadie niega que sus planes nunca funcionan.
102
Remember, verbs that express certainty are subjunctive indicators only when used negatively. It is important to realize a cultural difference between English and Spanish speakers. When a Spanish speaker states that she thinks or believes something is true, she considers this a certainty and uses the indicative mood after que. An English speaker uses the verbs “to think” and “to believe” only when he does not know for certain.
This basic difference is why the verbs creer and pensar are included in the list of verbs that express certainty and which must be negative in order to be subjunctive indicators.
In the sample sentences below, the negative word is bold because it is part of the subjunctive indicator and the verb that is conjugated in the subjunctive mood is underlined.
103
not to believe that
They never believe that she wakes up at five.
no creer que
Nunca creen que ella se despierte a las cinco.
104
not to say that
Loli is not saying that her brother has to come with us.
no decir que
Loli no dice que su hermano tenga que venir con nosotras.
105
not to think that
José does not think that it is going to rain.
no pensar que
José no piensa que vaya a llover.
106
not to know that
I do not know that you will arrive on time.
no saber que
Yo no sé que Uds. lleguen a tiempo.
107
Notice in the following sample sentences that these verbs are followed by the indicative mood when used affirmatively.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
108
You believe that life is a party.
Crees que la vida es una fiesta.
109
They tell me that this bracelet costs two thousand euros.
Me dicen que esta pulsera cuesta dos mil euros.
110
Sometimes I think that Soledad does not want any friends.
A veces pienso que Soledad no quiere tener amigos.
111
We know that our dog understands us.
Sabemos que nuestro perro nos entiende.
112
Another type of doubt that causes the subjunctive to be used is when there is some doubt about the existence of the second clause's subject. How can the verb of the second clause occur if the subject doing the verb may not even exist? This type of subjunctive situation requires some thought as well as cultural understanding because the Spanish language reflects a cultural tendency to “believe it when I see it.”
An English speaker is probably certain that she can find what she wants when she states, “I'm looking for a hotel that has a view of the sea.” To the Spanish speaker, the fact that the sentence begins with “I'm looking for” indicates that what follows technically may not exist, or at least that the speaker is unsure as to which hotel he will find.
This type of sentence always uses the conjunction que, and the subject after que is always what is being looked for or what is needed in the first clause. When something mentioned in the first clause is used as the subject of the second clause, it is called an antecedent. When the existence of the antecedent is unknown, the subjunctive is used. You may have heard the term “unknown antecedent.” This refers to a sentence in which there is no certainty of the existence of the person(s) or things(s) that would be the subject of the clause after que.
113
Whether or not a verb is a subjunctive indicator because it establishes some doubt about the existence of the subject of the clause after que depends on whether the first clause is affirmative or negative, and on whether it is a sentence or a question. For this reason, there are several examples for each verb in the sections that follow. Pay attention to the bold and underlined verbs in the examples. Think about how the existence of the subject of the second clause depends on whether it is a sentence or a question, and also on whether it is affirmative or negative; look to see if the verb is in the subjunctive (that is, underlined) for each example.
One of the most common verbs of this type is the word hay (haber). Because hay does not get conjugated, it is considered idiomatic and is an important expression to learn. Hay is used to indicate the existence of people or things both singular and plural.
114
hay (followed by something singular) = there is
There is a lawyer that speaks Spanish here.
Hay un abogado que habla español aquí.
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hay (followed by something plural) = there are
There are many lawyers that speak Spanish here.
Hay muchos abogados que hablan español aquí
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Below, when hay is used in a question, it is bold because it questions the existence of what follows.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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¿hay? = is there?
¿Hay un abogado que hable español aquí?
¿hay? = are there?
¿Hay muchos abogados que hablen español aquí?
118
Hopefully, you noticed that the verb hablar (after que) is in the subjunctive when hay is used as a question, but is in the indicative when hay is used in an affirmative statement.
What happens to the verb that follows que if hay is used in a negative statement? While considering the examples, notice the necessary double negative in Spanish.
119
no hay = there is not
No hay ningún abogado que hable español aquí.
Hay in its negative form creates a sentence in which the subject of the second clause does not exist; therefore, the verb that goes with the nonexistent subject should be in the subjunctive mood. The same thing is true for the following verbs.
120
Tener (to have)
Do you have a book that teaches French?
¿Tienes un libro que enseñe francés?
121
I do not have any dictionary that includes that word.
No tengo ningún diccionario que incluya esa palabra.
122
Tener used negatively or as a question in the first clause requires the subjunctive mood in the clause that follows que. Notice in the example below that, when tener is used affirmatively in the first clause, it requires the indicative mood in the second clause. The same applies to conocer.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
123
She has a boyfriend that calls every night.
Tiene un novio que llama cada noche.
124
Do you know a doctor that gives sweets to kids?
Conocer (to know, to be acquainted with)
¿Conoces a un médico que les dé dulces a los niños?
125
I do not know anyone that lives in a cave.
No conozco a nadie que viva en una cueva.
126
He knows a nice man that lives in Guadix.
Conoce a un hombre simpático que vive en Guadix.
127
A verb in the first clause that expresses a need, or the search for something or someone, requires the subjunctive after que even when the sentence is affirmative. This is because Spanish speakers never assume that a thing or person exists.
If a definite article follows the verb, the verb is no longer a subjunctive indicator because it refers to a very specific, known entity. The next few examples make this more clear.
128
She is looking for a secretary that knows how to type.
Buscar (to look for)
Ella busca una secretaria que sepa escribir a máquina.
129
I am looking for the secretary that typed that essay.
Yo busco a la secretaria que escribió a máquina ese ensayo.
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(to need)
I need a CD that has dance songs.
Necesitar (to need)
Necesito un disco compacto que tenga canciones para bailar.
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I need the CD that has my favorite song.
Necesito el disco compacto que tiene mi canción favorita.
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We want a wedding that impresses all our friends.
Queremos una boda que impresione a todos nuestros amigos.
133
Miguel wants the teacher that always gives good grades.
Miguel quiere a la profesora que siempre da buenas notas.
134
Mercedes wants a job that offers many opportunities.
Mercedes desea un puesto que ofrezca muchas oportunidades.
135
Ana wants the job that she just saw in the newspaper.
Ana desea el puesto que acaba de ver en el periódico.
136
There is a second kind of doubt to consider as a subjunctive indicator. When there is doubt as to whether or not the action of the verb in the second clause will take place, that verb is in the subjunctive. This type of sentence has a different kind of subjunctive indicator, a conjunction.
A conjunction is a word or phrase that joins two clauses together. So far, all of the subjunctive indicators you have seen have been a verb or expression in the first clause followed by the conjunction que. There are other conjunctions however, that will be discussed later, that join clauses in a way that indicates the need for the subjunctive in the second clause.
137
When the conjunction that joins two clauses indicates that the action of the verb in the second clause has not yet occurred and, therefore, may never occur, the verb after the conjunction is in the subjunctive. Luckily, these conjunctions all include the word que, so you can still look for the verb after que to conjugate in the subjunctive
When the word que is missing from these conjunctions, they become prepositions and are followed by an infinitive rather than a subjunctive conjugation. The verb in the first clause does not have to be any of the above listed subjunctive indicators. Always use the subjunctive for the verb that follows any of the conjunctions below:
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a menos que = unless
We are going to the Caribbean this fall unless a hurricane destroys the beach.
Vamos al Caribe este otoño a menos que un huracán destruya la playa.
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fin (de) que = so that
Parents punish their kids so that they obey the rules.
Los padres castigan a sus hijos a fin de que obedezcan las reglas.
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antes (de) que = before
| You have to practice a lot before you win the championship.
Tienes que practicar mucho antes de que ganes el campeonato.
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para que = so that
| She wants to lose weight so that her boyfriend sees her pretty.
Ella quiere adelgazar para que su novio la vea bonita.
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por más que = no matter how much that
I will not tell you no matter how much you request my number.
Yo no te diré por más que pidas mi número.
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sin que = without (that)
We do not leave without doing our chores.
No salimos sin que hagamos nuestros quehaceres .
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en caso de que = in case that
I carry my cellphone in case there is an emergency.
Llevo mi móbil en caso de que haya una emergencia .
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con tal que = provided that
Lola can enter provided that she pretend to be a member.
Lola puede entrar con tal que finja ser miembro .
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There are also some conjunctions that will always be followed by the indicative because their meaning indicates a certainty of the occurrence of the verb that follows. Conjugate the verb in the indicative mood if it follows one of the conjunctions listed below.
No word is in bold below because these conjunctions are always followed by the indicative. No verb is underlined because there is no verb in the subjunctive in the sample sentences.
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ahora que = now that
The wind is not as strong now that the window is closed.
El viento no es tan fuerte ahora que la ventana está cerrada.
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desde que = since (a time when something happened)
| The towers have been a marvel since they built them.
Las torres han sido una maravilla desde que las construyeron.
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porque = because
The chicken crosses the street because he wants to arrive at the other side.
El pollo cruza la calle porque quiere llegar al otro lado.
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puesto que = since (because)
| I always buy the gifts since I never forget a birthday.
Yo siempre compro los regalos puesto que nunca olvido un cumpleaños.
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ya que = now that
You can visit me more often now that you live more close by.
Tú puedes visitarme más a menudo ya que vives más cerca.
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Conjunctions that determine mood by the tense of the first clause
Conjunctions are subjunctive indicators when they indicate that the action of the clause that follows has not yet occurred. There are a few conjunctions that require the indicative if the verb after que is in a past tense because the action of the verb has already happened. If, however, the action of the verb after que has not yet occurred, this verb is in the present subjunctive.
They are only subjunctive indicators, however, if the verb in the first clause is in the present tense, is in the future tense, or is a command. There are two examples for each conjunction. Look carefully at the bold words and the underlined verbs to determine when the conjunction is a subjunctive indicator, and consider how the tense of the first verb influences whether or not the second verb has occurred and whether or not the subjunctive is used. Some of the following conjunctions do not include the word que, but they still are conjunctions.
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después de que = after
The concert will begin after the guitarist arrives.
El concierto empezará después de que el guitarrista llegue .
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The concert began after the guitarist arrived.
El concierto empezó después de que el guitarrista llegó.
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hasta que = until
They did not count the chicks until they were born (hatched).
No contaron los pollitos hasta que nacieron .
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They did not eat the chickens until they cooked them well.
No comieron los pollos hasta que los cocinaron bien.
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luego que = as soon as
You will have your car as soon as I receive your money.
Tú tendrás tu coche luego que yo reciba tu dinero.
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You got your car as soon as I received your money.
Tú obtuviste tu coche luego que recibí tu dinero.
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cuando = when
Call me when you arrive at home.
Llámame cuando llegues a casa.
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You did not call me when you arrived home.
Tú no me llamaste cuando llegaste a casa.
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Jeronimo will buy a car as soon as he graduates.
en cuanto = as soon as
Jerónimo comprará un coche en cuanto se gradúe.
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Jeronimo bought a car as soon as he graduated.
Jerónimo compró un coche en cuanto se graduó.
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tan pronto como = as soon as
We will eat as soon as he brings the food.
Comeremos tan pronto como traiga la comida.
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We ate as soon as he brought the food.
Comimos tan pronto como trajo la comida.
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The most important thing about the subjunctive mood is to think constantly about the reasons behind the indicators so that you do not have to try to memorize so much. It is better to understand each of the subjunctive situations and the reasons the subjunctive is used.
You will never memorize all of the verbs and phrases that could be subjunctive indicators, but you can recognize whether a new verb or expression would fit into one of the categories that represent the reasons for using the subjunctive.
