Quiz # 4 – The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses

This audio lesson is a quiz on the use of the subjunctive in adverbial clauses. It reviews the material covered in the following premium lessons.

• Subjunctive 10 and 11 – Conjunctions that Require the Subjunctive (e.g. a menos que, con tal que)
• Subjunctive 12 and 13 – Adverbial Clauses of Time
• Subjunctive 14 – Adverbial Clauses that Describe How or Where

Conjunctions that Require the Subjunctive

LLOVER
I will bring my umbrella IN CASE it rains.
Llevaré mi paraguas EN CASO DE QUE llueva.

ACOMPAÑAR
I will help you AS LONG AS you come with me to the theatre tonight.
Te ayudaré CON TAL (DE) QUE me acompañes al teatro esta noche.

CREER
I am going to show it to Miguel SO THAT he believes me.
Voy a enseñárselo a Miguel PARA QUE me crea.

TENER
They created this group SO THAT we would have a safe place to talk.
Ellos crearon este grupo A FIN DE QUE tuviéramos / tuviésemos un lugar seguro para hablar.

TEMBLAR
I can not do it WITHOUT my hands trembling.
No puedo hacerlo SIN QUE me tiemblen las manos.

No Change in Subjunctive – Use the Infinitive

When there is no change in subject, most of these conjunctions can be followed by an infinitive. In this case, the QUE is omitted. QUE is only required prior to a conjugated verb. A MENOS DE QUE is an exception. It is almost always followed by a verb conjugated in the subjunctive mood.

I am on a diet to lose weight.
Estoy a dieta PARA bajar de peso.

We will all have to make sacrifices in order to arrive at an agreement.
Todos tendremos que hacer sacrificios A FIN DE llegar a un acuerdo.

The Exception – A Menos Que

However, A MENOS QUE (UNLESS) is usually followed by the subjunctive, even when the subject remains the same.

You can not participate UNLESS you follow the rules.
No puedes participar A MENOS QUE sigas las reglas.

Adverbial Clauses of Time

Now you will have to choose when to use the subjunctive or the indicative.

LLEGAR
I prepared the meal before they arrived.
Preparé la comida ANTES DE QUE llegaran / llegasen.
* subjunctive

ESTAR
Call me when you’re ready. (addressing a girlfriend)
Llámame CUANDO estés lista.
* subjunctive

LADRAR
The baby always cries when the dog cries.
El niño siempre llora CUANDO el perro ladra.
* indicative

SONAR
Get up as soon as the alarm clock goes off. (addressing more than one person)
Ustedes levántense EN CUANTO suene la alarma.
* subjunctive

TENER
I visit her whenever I have the chance.
La visito SIEMPRE QUE tengo la oportunidad.
* indicative

SALIR
Put on sunscreen every time you go out in the sun.
Ponte bloqueador SIEMPRE QUE salgas al sol.
* subjunctive

Adverbial Clauses That Describe How and Where

Aunque tiene el dinero, no va a comprar la casa.
Although she has the money, she’s not going to buy the house.

Even if she had the money, she couldn’t buy the house.
Aunque tuviera / tuviese el dinero, no podría comprar la casa.

Let’s go where you want (to go).
Vamos donde tú quieres.

Let’s go wherever you want (to go).
Vamos donde tú quieras.

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