3.3 Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses

The subjunctive mood in adverbial clauses adds depth to Spanish expressions. It's used in purpose, time, and conditional clauses to convey uncertainty, future events, or hypothetical situations. This contrasts with the indicative mood, which is used for factual or certain actions.

Understanding when to use the subjunctive in adverbial clauses is crucial for mastering Spanish grammar. It allows speakers to express nuanced meanings, differentiating between real and imagined scenarios, and adding layers of intention to their communication.

Adverbial Clauses and the Subjunctive

Types of Adverbial Clauses Triggering Subjunctive

• Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that modify the verb in the main clause, expressing circumstances such as time, place, manner, purpose, cause, condition, or concession
• Certain adverbial clauses, particularly those expressing purpose, time, and condition, require the use of the subjunctive mood in Spanish
• Conjunctions that commonly introduce adverbial clauses triggering the subjunctive include: para que (so that), a fin de que (so that), antes de que (before), después de que (after), hasta que (until), con tal de que (provided that), sin que (without), and a menos que (unless)
• Other adverbial clauses, such as those expressing place or manner, generally do not require the subjunctive mood (Voy donde quiero. - I go where I want.)

Function of Adverbial Clauses

• Adverbial clauses provide additional information about the main clause, specifying the circumstances under which the action in the main clause takes place
• They can express a wide range of relationships between the main and subordinate clauses, such as purpose, time, condition, concession, cause, or result
• Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions, which determine the relationship between the clauses and the mood required in the subordinate clause (subjunctive or indicative)
• Recognizing the function of the adverbial clause is essential for determining whether the subjunctive mood is necessary

Subjunctive Mood in Adverbial Clauses

Purpose Clauses

• Purpose clauses, which express the intention or goal of the action in the main clause, require the subjunctive mood when introduced by conjunctions such as para que and a fin de que
• Example: Trabajo duro para que mis hijos tengan un futuro mejor. (I work hard so that my children have a better future.)
• The subjunctive is used in purpose clauses because the outcome or goal is not yet realized and is dependent on the action in the main clause
• Purpose clauses answer the question "Why?" or "For what purpose?" in relation to the main clause

Time Clauses

• Time clauses referring to future or hypothetical events use the subjunctive mood when introduced by conjunctions like antes de que, después de que, and hasta que
• The subjunctive is used in time clauses when the action in the subordinate clause has not yet occurred or is uncertain
• Example: Esperaré hasta que llegues. (I will wait until you arrive.)
• Time clauses with the subjunctive express actions that are anticipated or expected to happen in the future, relative to the main clause
• In contrast, time clauses referring to past or present events generally use the indicative mood (Después de que terminé mi tarea, fui al parque. - After I finished my homework, I went to the park.)

Conditional Clauses

• Conditional clauses expressing hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situations employ the subjunctive mood when introduced by conjunctions such as con tal de que, sin que, and a menos que
• The subjunctive is used in the subordinate clause when the condition is considered unlikely, hypothetical, or contrary to reality
• Example: Iría a la fiesta con tal de que me invitaras. (I would go to the party provided that you invite me.)
• Conditional clauses with the subjunctive express conditions that are not currently true or are unlikely to be fulfilled
• When the condition is real or likely, the indicative mood is used in both clauses (Si tengo tiempo, iré al gimnasio. - If I have time, I will go to the gym.)

Subjunctive vs Indicative in Adverbial Clauses

Factual vs Hypothetical Events

• The indicative mood is used in adverbial clauses when expressing factual, certain, or habitual actions, while the subjunctive mood is employed for hypothetical, uncertain, or future events
• Indicative: Siempre que puedo, voy al parque. (Whenever I can, I go to the park.) - Habitual action
• Subjunctive: Hasta que me llames, no saldré. (Until you call me, I won't leave.) - Future, uncertain event
• The choice between indicative and subjunctive depends on the speaker's perception of the reality or certainty of the action in the adverbial clause

Past and Present vs Future Events

• Time clauses referring to past or present events generally use the indicative mood, whereas those referring to future or hypothetical events require the subjunctive
• Indicative: Cuando era niño, jugaba en este parque. (When I was a child, I played in this park.) - Past event
• Subjunctive: Cuando seas mayor, entenderás. (When you are older, you will understand.) - Future event
• The temporal relationship between the main and subordinate clauses determines the mood required in the adverbial clause

Real vs Hypothetical Conditions

• Conditional clauses that express real or likely conditions use the indicative mood in both the main and subordinate clauses (Si tengo tiempo, iré al cine.), while those expressing hypothetical or unlikely conditions employ the subjunctive in the subordinate clause (Si tuviera tiempo, iría al cine.)
• Indicative: Si hace buen tiempo, saldremos a caminar. (If the weather is good, we will go for a walk.) - Real, likely condition
• Subjunctive: Si fuera millonario, viajaría por el mundo. (If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.) - Hypothetical, unlikely condition
• The likelihood or reality of the condition determines the mood required in the conditional clause

Conjunctions Allowing Both Moods

• Some conjunctions, such as aunque (although) and mientras (while), can be followed by either the indicative or subjunctive mood, depending on the certainty or factuality of the subordinate clause
• Indicative: Aunque llueve, voy a salir. (Although it is raining, I am going to go out.) - Factual, certain event
• Subjunctive: Aunque llueva, saldré. (Even if it rains, I will go out.) - Hypothetical, uncertain event
• The speaker's intention and the context of the sentence determine the appropriate mood when using these conjunctions

Complex Sentences with Subjunctive Mood

Expressing Purpose

• Combine a main clause with an adverbial clause expressing purpose using the subjunctive mood, e.g., "Estudio mucho para que mis padres estén orgullosos de mí." (I study hard so that my parents are proud of me.)
• Other examples:
  • Ahorro dinero para que pueda comprar una casa. (I save money so that I can buy a house.)
  • Ella habla despacio a fin de que todos entiendan. (She speaks slowly so that everyone understands.)

Referring to Future Events

• Create a complex sentence with a time clause referring to a future event, employing the subjunctive mood, e.g., "Te llamaré después de que termine mi tarea." (I will call you after I finish my homework.)
• Other examples:
  • Esperaremos hasta que llegue el tren. (We will wait until the train arrives.)
  • Antes de que te vayas, dame un abrazo. (Before you leave, give me a hug.)

Expressing Hypothetical Situations

• Construct a sentence with a conditional clause expressing a hypothetical situation, using the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause, e.g., "Compraría un coche nuevo si tuviera suficiente dinero." (I would buy a new car if I had enough money.)
• Other examples:
  • Iríamos de vacaciones con tal de que nos dieran más días libres. (We would go on vacation provided that they give us more days off.)
  • Ella sería feliz a menos que le mintieran. (She would be happy unless they lied to her.)

Using Concessive Clauses

• Write a complex sentence combining a main clause with a concessive adverbial clause using the subjunctive mood, e.g., "Aunque llueva, iremos de excursión." (Even if it rains, we will go on the excursion.)
• Other examples:
  • Aunque me ofrezcan más dinero, no cambiaré de trabajo. (Even if they offer me more money, I will not change jobs.)
  • Iré a la fiesta aunque no conozca a mucha gente. (I will go to the party even though I don't know many people.)