Spanish Subjunctive with Conjunctions

We always use the subjunctive in the subordinate clause with this conjunction

• hasta que

• cuando

• a fin de que

• tan pronto como

Answer explanation

"A fin de que" always trigger the subjunctive in the subordinate clause; "mientras que", "hasta que", "tan pronto como" y "cuando" require specific conditions

Pedro trabaja mucho ________ el jefe le suba el sueldo.

• cuando

• para que

• mientras que

• antes de que

Answer explanation

"para que" means in order that, so that

Pedro is working hard in order that his supervisor raises his salary

El señor Martínez va a renunciar a su puesto antes de que el jefe __________ lo (despedir)

Answer explanation

The conjunction "antes de que" is one of those conjunctions that always trigger the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. That is why we conjugate the verb "despedir" in the subjunctive: "despida" and not in the indicative: "despide"

Llámame _________ tengas un problema.

• mientras que

• para que

• a fin de que

• en caso de que

Answer explanation

"En caso de que" means "in case" and it always trigger the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. The other conjunctions meanings do not apply to the sentence

mientras que= as long as

para que= in order that

a fin de que= in order that

Ana siempre llama a su jefa cuando _______ (sentirse) enferma.

Answer explanation

"Cuando" is one of those conjunctions that could go either way: use the subjunctive or the indicative in the subordinate clause. Since this is a habitual action we are going to conjugate "sentirse" in the indicative.

Attention: Look at the word "siempre"

Voy a visitar a Argentina tan pronto como yo __________ (tener) el dinero para el pasaje.

• tiene

• tenga

• tengo

• tener

Answer explanation

"Tan pronto como" (which means "as soon as") is one of those conjunctions that could use either the subjunctive or the indicative in the subordinate clause. However because the main clause implies future tense (voy a...) we are going to use the subjunctive.

Which one of the following conjunctions can trigger either the subjunctive or the indicative

• después de que

• a fin de que

• sin que

• para que

Answer explanation

"después de que" which means "after" can be use with either the subjunctive or the indicative.

"A fin de que", "sin que" and "para que" always use the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.

Ve a la oficina del jefe después de que los invitados _________ (llegar) a la sala de reuniones.

Answer explanation

"Después de que" is one of those conjunction that could use the indicative or the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. In this case because the main clause is a command (informal command) we are going to use the subjunctive of llegar = "lleguen"

Yo voy a repetir la orden hasta que tú me ___________ (entender)

Answer explanation

"hasta que" which means "until" can use either the subjunctive or the indicative. However in this sentence the main clause implies future tense (voy a... / I am going to) so we are using the subjunctive in the subordinate clause.

Usualmente Marta llega temprano a la oficina cuando ______ (tener) una reunión importante.

Answer explanation

"cuando" (means "when") can use either the subjunctive or the indicative. However in this sentence we are talking about a habitual or repetitive action.

Usualmente (usually) Marta gets to the office early when she has an important meeting. We use the indicative "tiene"