Conjunctions that always require the subjunctive 2009

Conjunctions a fin de que: in order that a menos (de) que: unless antes (de) que: before con tal (de) que: provided (that) en caso de que: in case para que: in order that, so that sin que: without

El coro tiene que cantar más alto para que todos lo escuchen mejor. – The choir has to sing louder so everyone hears them better. No hablaré con la actriz a menos que me lo pidan. – I will not speak with the actress unless they ask me. El camarógrafo no se enojará con tal que no lo interrumpas. – The cameraman will not get angry provided that you don’t interrupt him.

When there is no change in the subject, there is no dependent clause, then the following prepositions use the indicative. a fin de a menos de antes de con tal de en caso de para sin

La temporada será mas larga este año a fin de complacer a la directora. – The season will be longer this year in order to please the director. No podemos afinar los instrumentos sin tener el permiso del primer violinista. – We can’t tune our instruments without the permission of the violinist. La grabación fue en Inglaterra para poder grabar con la orquesta sinfónica de Londres. – The recording was done in England in order to be able to record with the symphonic orchestra of London.

Conjunctions that require either subjunctive or the indicative cuando: when después (de) que: after (a)donde: (to) where como: how en cuanto: as soon as hasta que: until luego que: as soon as mientras que: as long as según: according to tan pronto como: as soon as

El Entrevistador hablará con el conductor cuando tenga tiempo. – The interviewer will talk with the conductor when he has time. La pianista tocará el piano en cuanto pueda. – The pianist will play the piano as soon as she can. Graba la telenovela hasta que termine el episodio. – Tape the soap opera until the episode ends.

If the action in the main clause is habitual or has already happened, use the present or past indicative in the subordinate clause. Siempre fue tímida hasta que tomó un curso de arte dramático. – She was always timid until she took a course in dramatic art. Esta actriz siempre actúa según le pide el director. – This actress always acts according to how the director asks her.

Use the subjunctive with the conjunctive aunque (even if, although, even though) to convey uncertainty. To express certainty or refer to a completed event, use the indicative. Aunque vea la telenovela, no te diré lo que pasó. – Even if I see the soap opera, I will not tell you what happened. No me gusta ese tipo de programa, aunque es muy buena la serie policíaca. – I don’t like that type of program, although the police series is very good. Aunque detesta el rap, mi novia lo escucha para complacerme. – Although she detests rap, my girlfriend listens to it in order to please me.