Vocab 38 Flashcards
Subjunctive (Future or Uncertain Action):
When the action has not yet happened or is uncertain, the subjunctive is used.
“No saldré hasta que termines tu trabajo.”
(I won’t leave until you finish your work.)
The finishing is in the future and uncertain at the moment of speaking.
Indicative (Completed or Certain Action):
When the action is already completed or a habitual occurrence, the indicative is used.
“Me quedé en la oficina hasta que llegó mi jefe.”
(I stayed at the office until my boss arrived.)
The boss’s arrival is a completed event.
Subjunctive (Future or Uncertain Action):
When the action has not yet happened or is uncertain, the subjunctive is used.
“Esperaremos aquí hasta que llegue el autobús.”
(We will wait here until the bus arrives.)
The arrival of the bus is anticipated.
Indicative (Completed or Certain Action):
When the action is already completed or a habitual occurrence, the indicative is used.
“Siempre trabajo hasta que termina mi turno.”
(I always work until my shift ends.)
The shift ending is a regular occurrence.
“Te lo explico para que lo entiendas.”
(I’m explaining it to you so that you understand it.)
The understanding is the purpose, and it hasn’t been achieved yet.
The phrase “para que” (so that, in order to) is always followed by the subjunctive because it introduces a purpose or goal, which is inherently hypothetical or desired rather than factual.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “para” followed by the infinitive.
“Estudio para aprender más.”
(I study to learn more.)
The same subject (I) is performing both actions.
“Voy a salir temprano para evitar el tráfico.”
(I’m going to leave early to avoid traffic.)
“Hablo despacio para que todos puedan escucharme.”
(I’m speaking slowly so that everyone can hear me.)
The goal of everyone hearing is uncertain.
The phrase “para que” (so that, in order to) is always followed by the subjunctive because it introduces a purpose or goal, which is inherently hypothetical or desired rather than factual.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “para” followed by the infinitive.
“Estudio para aprender más.”
(I study to learn more.)
The same subject (I) is performing both actions.
“Voy a salir temprano para evitar el tráfico.”
(I’m going to leave early to avoid traffic.)
“Voy a prepararme temprano para que no lleguemos tarde.”
(I’m going to get ready early so that we don’t arrive late.)
Not arriving late is the desired outcome.
The phrase “para que” (so that, in order to) is always followed by the subjunctive because it introduces a purpose or goal, which is inherently hypothetical or desired rather than factual.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “para” followed by the infinitive.
“Estudio para aprender más.”
(I study to learn more.)
The same subject (I) is performing both actions.
“Voy a salir temprano para evitar el tráfico.”
(I’m going to leave early to avoid traffic.)
“No puedo hacer nada sin que me ayudes.”
(I can’t do anything without you helping me.)
The help hasn’t occurred yet; it’s hypothetical.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“Sin que” implies something that hasn’t happened or is being avoided, making it hypothetical.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “sin” followed by the infinitive.
“Se fue sin decir adiós.”
(He left without saying goodbye.)
“Estudié sin descansar.”
(I studied without resting.)
“Salió sin que nadie lo viera.”
(He left without anyone seeing him.)
The action of someone seeing him is being avoided.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“Sin que” implies something that hasn’t happened or is being avoided, making it hypothetical.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “sin” followed by the infinitive.
“Se fue sin decir adiós.”
(He left without saying goodbye.)
“Estudié sin descansar.”
(I studied without resting.)
“Organizamos la fiesta sin que mis padres lo supieran.”
(We organized the party without my parents knowing about it.)
The parents’ knowledge is hypothetical and was intentionally avoided.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“Sin que” implies something that hasn’t happened or is being avoided, making it hypothetical.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “sin” followed by the infinitive.
“Se fue sin decir adiós.”
(He left without saying goodbye.)
“Estudié sin descansar.”
(I studied without resting.)
“No pasará el examen sin que estudie más.”
(He won’t pass the exam unless he studies more.)
The studying is a condition that hasn’t occurred yet.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“Sin que” implies something that hasn’t happened or is being avoided, making it hypothetical.
Structure Variation Without “Que”:
If the subject of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same, you use “sin” followed by the infinitive.
“Se fue sin decir adiós.”
(He left without saying goodbye.)
“Estudié sin descansar.”
(I studied without resting.)
“No iremos al parque a menos que deje de llover.”
(We won’t go to the park unless it stops raining.)
The rain stopping is uncertain.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“A menos que” sets up a condition that may or may not happen, making it inherently hypothetical.
“No te ayudaré a menos que me lo pidas.”
(I won’t help you unless you ask me.)
The request is hypothetical.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“A menos que” sets up a condition that may or may not happen, making it inherently hypothetical.
“No lo aceptaré a menos que todos estén de acuerdo.”
(I won’t accept it unless everyone agrees.)
The agreement is a possibility, not a certainty.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“A menos que” sets up a condition that may or may not happen, making it inherently hypothetical.
“No podemos avanzar a menos que resolvamos este problema.”
(We can’t move forward unless we solve this problem.)
Solving the problem is a condition that hasn’t occurred yet.
Why Always Subjunctive?
“A menos que” sets up a condition that may or may not happen, making it inherently hypothetical.
“Luego que termines tus deberes, puedes salir a jugar.”
(After you finish your homework, you can go out to play.)
The finishing of the homework is in the future and uncertain.
“Me llamó luego que llegó a casa.”
(She/he called me after arriving home.)
The arrival is a completed fact.
The phrase “luego que” (after) can be followed by either the indicative or the subjunctive, depending on the context. However, its use is more common in some Spanish-speaking regions, such as Latin America, and often functions similarly to “después de que.”
“Vamos a celebrar luego que se gradúe.”
(We’ll celebrate after he/she graduates.)
Graduation is an anticipated event.
“Fueron felices luego que resolvieron sus problemas.”
(They were happy after they resolved their problems.)
The resolution of their problems is factual and in the past.
The phrase “luego que” (after) can be followed by either the indicative or the subjunctive, depending on the context. However, its use is more common in some Spanish-speaking regions, such as Latin America, and often functions similarly to “después de que.”
“Te llamaré tan pronto como llegue a casa.”
(I will call you as soon as I get home.)
The arrival at home is anticipated but not certain.
“Tan pronto como terminó la reunión, se fue a casa.”
(As soon as the meeting ended, he/she went home.)
The meeting ending is a completed event.
The phrase “tan pronto como” (as soon as) can be followed by either the subjunctive or the indicative, depending on the context.
“Empieza el proyecto tan pronto como tengas todos los materiales.”
(Start the project as soon as you have all the materials.)
Having all the materials is a condition that hasn’t happened yet.
“Tan pronto como llega a la oficina, revisa sus correos electrónicos.”
(As soon as he/she gets to the office, he/she checks their emails.)
This is a habitual action, so the indicative is used.
The phrase “tan pronto como” (as soon as) can be followed by either the subjunctive or the indicative, depending on the context.
Subjunctive (Hypothetical or Uncertain):
When the statement introduces a hypothetical, uncertain, or exaggerated situation, the subjunctive is used.
“Por más que lo intentes, no podrás convencerlo.”
(No matter how much you try, you won’t be able to convince him.)
The outcome (convincing him) is hypothetical.
Indicative (Fact or Reality):
When the statement refers to a real or factual situation, the indicative is used.
“Por más que lo intentó, no pudo resolver el problema.”
(No matter how much he/she tried, he/she couldn’t solve the problem.)
The attempt to solve the problem is a known fact.
