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  THE SUBJUNCTIVE INDICATIVE DISTINCTION  
 
  SUBJUNCTIVE-INDICATIVE IN ADVERBIAL CLAUSES Exercises  
 
  • Adverbial clauses are a type of dependent clause headed by a subordinating conjunction, or subordinator.
  • Subordinators can be divided into into time subordinators and subordinators of place or manner.
  • Indicative or subjunctive is chosen for the subordinate verb based on the rules given below.
 
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Adverbial Clauses Headed by Time Subordinators  
  With one common exception, time subordinators will take can take either the indicative or the subjunctive, depending on the context discussed below.  
 
  • The subordinate verb will be indicative if it refers to an event that is generally true or known to happen.
    • Cuando lo visito, hablamos mucho de la política. When I visit him, we talk about politics a lot.
    • Mientras ella prepara el desayuno, yo pongo la mesa.While she makes breakfast, I set the table.
    • Después de que Mariana toma un examen, siempre la invito a comer.After Mariana takes an exam, I always take her out to eat.
  • It will be in the subjunctive if it is still in the future as of the time of the main verb:
    • Voy a hablar con el jefe cuando termine la reunión. I'm going to speak with the boss when the meeting ends.
    • Tan pronto como llegue Paco, todos vamos a felicitarlo. As soon as Paco gets here, we're all going to congratulate him.
  • A past indicative tense is used if the event already occurred:
    • Tan pronto como llegó Paco, todos lo felicitamos. As soon as Paco got here, we all congratulated him.
  • Exception: Subjunctive is always used after antes (de) que, since the verb that follows it always refers to something that is still in the future as of the time of the main verb; compare:
    • Abrimos la puerta antes de que los clientes lleguen. We open the door before the customers arrive.
    • La cerramos después de que salen. We lock it after they leave.
  
 
  • Other time subordinators:
    • en cuanto (as soon as); tan pronto como (as soon as); hasta que (until) ; a medida que (as (an event proceeds); siempre que (as soon as, whenever)
  
  Subjunctive/Indicative in Adverbial Clauses Headed by Subordinators of Place or Manner  
  A number of subordinators, owing to their meaning, take either indicative exclusively or subjunctive exclusively, or heavily favor one or the other. Some can take either mood.  
 
  • Subordinators that indicate acceptance of what follows as a fact take the indicative:
    • En vista de que todos están de acuerdo, vamos a terminar la discusión. In view of the fact that all agree, we're going to end the discussion.
    • Debido a que nosotros no somos ciudadanos, no podemos votar en la elección. Owing to the fact that we are not citizens, we can't vote in the election.
    • Ya que / ahora que ellas conocen bien a sus vecinos, se sienten más a gusto viviendo aquí.. Now that they know their neighbors well, they feel more comfortable living here.
    • Puesto que no tenemos tiempo suficiente, dejamos eso para otro día. Since (inasmuch as) we don't have enough time, we'll leave that for another day.
  • Those that express purpose or condition or that negate what follows take the subjunctive:
    • Te lo digo con tal de que (a condición de que) prometas guardar el secreto. I'll tell you provided that (on the condition that) you promise to keep the secret.
    • Hablo despacio para que (a fin de que) todos entiendan. I speak slowly so that all will understand.
    • Necesito explicarles la lección sin que nadie se confunda. I need to explain the lesson without anyone getting confused.
    • Vamos a la playa a menos que llueva. We're going to the beach unless it rains.
    • Debemos pedir comida para seis personas, en caso de que vengan Pedro y Juana. We should order food for six people, in case Pedro and Juana come.
  • De modo que, de manera que take indicative when what follows is simply the unintended consequence of the main verb, subjunctive when what follows is the intended result:
    • La niña está enferma, de modo (manera) que sus padres no pueden salir. The child is sick, and so her parents can't go out.
    • Debes salir de manera (modo) que nadie te vea. You should leave in such a way that nobody sees you.
  • Subordinators of concession aunque, a pesar de que, aun cuando take indicative when what follows is thought of as true, subjunctive when doubt is present:
    • Aunque es / sea aburrido, pienso leer el artículo de nuevo. Though it is (might be) boring, I'm going to read the article again.
    • Pensamos ir, a pesar de que nos parece / parezca innecesario. We're going to go, even though it seems / might seem unnecessary.
  • Donde, como take indicative when the subordinate verb event is true or known at time of main verb, subjunctive when it is unrealized (still in the future):
    • El siempre hace su trabajo como él quiere. He always does his work in the way that he wants.
    • Haré el trabajo como yo quiera. I will do the work the way I want to.
    • Generalmente trabajo donde trabajan mis colegas. I generally work where my colleagues work.
    • Van a construir el puente donde les parezca más factible. They're going to build the bridge where it seems most feasible.
  
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