Subordinating Conjunctions For Intermediate learners
What Are Subordinating Conjunctions?
A subordinating conjunction (conjunción subordinante) connects two clauses that are not equal in grammatical status: One clause is the main clause that can stand alone while the other is a subordinate clause that depends on the main clause for full meaning.
Clause Marking and Punctuation
Subordinating conjunctions mark the dependent clause, which means the clause can appear before or after the main clause, usually without a change in meaning, although the emphasis or tone of the sentence might change slightly. When the subordinate clause comes first, it is usually followed by a comma. When it comes second, punctuation depends on the type of subordinate clause; many take no comma, but explanatory causal clauses normally do.
No salí porque llovía.
I didn't go out because it was raining.
Porque llovía, no salí.
Because it was raining, I didn't go out.
Te ayudaré si puedo.
I'll help you if I can.
Si puedo, te ayudaré.
If I can, I'll help you.
Laura and Diego are preparing a neighborhood market. They are discussing possible changes to their plans because the weather forecast is uncertain. Notice how subordinate clauses can appear before or after the main clause.
Diego, are we still going ahead with Saturday's market?
Yes, if the weather is good, we'll put the stalls in the square.
And what do we do if it rains?
We can use the cultural center because it has a covered courtyard.
Perfect. If we get permission, I'll inform the vendors.
I'll prepare the posters because we still have time.
Which sentence places the conditional subordinate clause before the main clause and punctuates it correctly?
Si termina la reunión te llamaré.
Si termina la reunión, te llamaré.
Te llamaré, si termina la reunión.
Te llamaré si, termina la reunión.
Subordinating Conjunctions: Types
Subordinating conjunctions express different relationships between clauses:
Cause
Consequence
Condition
Time
Purpose
Concession
Comparison
Tip!
Some of the conjunctions in this group trigger the subjunctive mood when the dependent clause expresses doubt, uncertainty, purpose, or condition. However, if the subordinate clause expresses something habitual or factual, the indicative mood is used in the dependent clause.
Causals
These subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause that expresses the cause or reason for the main clause. For example:
No vino porque estaba enfermo.
He didn't come because he was sick.
No lo hice, pues no tenía tiempo.
I didn't do it since I didn't have time.
Te ayudo, ya que me lo pides.
I'll help you, since you asked me to.
No salimos, puesto que llovía mucho.
We didn't go out, since it was raining heavily.
Como no había luz, salimos.
Since there was no power, we left.
Elena and Marcos are discussing why their community garden has not opened yet. Several unexpected problems have delayed the opening. Notice how causal conjunctions introduce explanations for these delays.
Marcos, why didn't we open the garden yesterday?
We couldn't open it because there was a problem with the irrigation system.
And when are they going to repair it?
Since a part was missing, the technician had to order it.
I see. Then we should inform the neighbors.
Yes. Since we already have their email addresses, we can inform them today.
The streets are flooded because it rained heavily all night. Which sentence correctly explains the cause?
Las calles están inundadas aunque llovió toda la noche.
Las calles están inundadas porque llovió toda la noche.
Las calles están inundadas para que llueva toda la noche.
Las calles están inundadas si llueve toda la noche.
In "Como no quedaban entradas, decidimos volver a casa", what does the initial clause express?
The purpose of returning home
A hypothetical situation
The reason for returning home
A comparison between two actions
Consecutives
This group indicates the result or consequence of the action in the main clause. For example:
Estaba cansado, así que me acosté temprano.
I was tired, so I went to bed early.
Sofía and Javier are preparing for an outdoor photography exhibition. The organizers have changed the schedule, and they need to make several adjustments. Notice how consecutive expressions connect a situation with its result.
Javier, the exhibition will start two hours earlier than planned.
Then we have less time, so we need to prepare the photographs this afternoon.
Also, there will be lots of visitors.
Therefore, we'll need more volunteers at the entrance.
I'll call the photography students. Maybe they can help us.
Perfect. We've already reserved the rooms, so we'll be able to set everything up tomorrow.
A flight was canceled, and as a result, the passengers had to stay another night. Which sentence expresses the consequence?
El vuelo se canceló porque los pasajeros se quedaron otra noche.
El vuelo se canceló aunque los pasajeros se quedaron otra noche.
El vuelo se canceló, así que los pasajeros tuvieron que quedarse otra noche.
El vuelo se canceló para que los pasajeros se quedaran otra noche.
Conditionals
"Si" is the most common conditional conjunction which introduces a condition that must be met for the main clause to happen. Other conditional conjunctions, such as a menos que, a no ser que, con tal de que, en caso de que, etc. are used in conditional sentences which trigger the subjunctive mood. For example:
Si llueve, no iremos.
If it rains, we won't go.
Si tengo tiempo, te llamo.
If I have time, I'll call you.
Te ayudaré mientras me digas la verdad.
I'll help you as long as you tell me the truth.
Puedes venir, con tal de que no llegues tarde.
You can come, provided that you don't arrive late.
Carmen and Daniel are organizing a group hiking trip. They want everyone to participate, but several conditions must be met before the trip can take place. Notice the difference between ordinary conditions with "si" and conditions introduced by expressions that take the subjunctive.
Daniel, are we going ahead with Sunday's hike?
Yes, if the weather is good, we'll leave at eight.
And what if there's a storm?
We'll cancel the hike unless the forecast improves.
I see. Can my brother come?
Of course, provided that he wears suitable footwear.
Which sentence correctly expresses a realistic future condition?
Si mañana hará sol, iremos a la playa.
Si mañana hace sol, iremos a la playa.
Si mañana haga sol, iremos a la playa.
Si mañana haría sol, iremos a la playa.
Complete the sentence: "Podremos salir temprano, a menos que el jefe nos ___ una reunión de última hora."
organiza
organizará
organice
organizaría
Temporals
These conjunctions add information about when the action in the main clause happens. They require the use of subjunctive in the subordinate clause when they refer to future actions. For example:
Escucho música mientras estudio.
I listen to music while I study.
Apenas llegó, empezó a trabajar.
As soon as he arrived, he started working.
Lo llamé cuando llegué.
I called him when I arrived.
Sal antes de que llueva.
Leave before it rains.
Cenaremos después de que llegues.
We'll have dinner after you arrive.
Esperó hasta que volviera.
He waited until she came back.
Te avisaré tan pronto como pueda.
I'll let you know as soon as I can.
Laura and Marcos are preparing dinner for their friends. Some guests have not arrived yet, so they must coordinate when to start cooking and serving the food. Notice how temporal conjunctions relate actions in time and how the subjunctive appears with certain future events.
Marcos, shall we start preparing dinner?
Yes, but don't start cooking the pasta until the guests arrive.
All right. While I prepare the sauce, can you set the table?
Of course. When should we turn on the oven?
We'll turn it on when we finish preparing the ingredients.
Perfect. I'll let you know as soon as the others arrive.
Which sentence correctly refers to a future event whose exact time is not yet known?
Te llamaré cuando llegaré a casa.
Te llamaré cuando llego a casa.
Te llamaré cuando llegue a casa.
Te llamaré cuando llegaría a casa.
Which sentence correctly describes a habitual activity rather than a specific future event?
Siempre escucho música mientras estudio.
Siempre escucho música mientras estudie.
Siempre escucharé música mientras estudiara.
Siempre escucho música mientras estudiaría.
Purpose
The conjunctions in this group specify the intention or goal behind the main clause. They always take the subjunctive in the dependent clause. For example:
Se esfuerza a fin de que todos estén contentos.
He works hard so that everyone is happy.
Lo dije para que entendieras.
I said it so that you would understand.
Trabajan con el propósito de que la empresa crezca.
They work with the purpose that the company grows.
Sofía and Javier are preparing a public safety workshop for elderly residents. They want the instructions to be simple and accessible. Notice how purpose conjunctions introduce the intended results of their actions.
Javier, we need to prepare materials that are easy to understand.
Yes, I'll use large images so that everyone can see them.
We should also explain each step slowly.
All right. I'll repeat the instructions so that nobody gets confused.
And how do we check that everyone has understood?
We can give a demonstration so that the participants can practice.
A teacher speaks slowly because she wants her students to understand the explanation. Which sentence expresses her purpose?
La profesora habla despacio porque los estudiantes entienden.
La profesora habla despacio aunque los estudiantes entiendan.
La profesora habla despacio para que los estudiantes entiendan.
La profesora habla despacio cuando los estudiantes entienden.
Complete the sentence: "Hemos instalado una rampa a fin de que las personas con movilidad reducida ___ entrar fácilmente."
pueden
podrán
puedan
podían
Concessive
These conjunctions express concession or contrast between the two clauses. They require the subjunctive when they express an assumption or hypothesis in the dependent clause. For example:
Salió, a pesar de que hacía frío.
He went out, even though it was cold.
Si bien no es perfecto, funciona.
Although it's not perfect, it works.
Voy al trabajo, aunque estoy cansado.
I'm going to work, although I'm tired.
Lo haré, por más que protestes.
I'll do it, no matter how much you protest.
Iré, aunque llueva.
I'll go, even if it rains.
Elena and Daniel are planning a weekend camping trip. The weather might change, but they are determined to go. Notice how concessive expressions introduce obstacles that do not necessarily prevent an action.
Daniel, the forecast says it might rain on Saturday.
I know, but we'll go even if it rains.
And what if it's very cold?
We can bring suitable clothing. Even though it'll be cold, we'll be prepared.
Sounds good. The campsite is small, but it's near the lake.
Exactly. Although it doesn't have many facilities, it's a beautiful place.
The speaker intends to attend an event even if it rains. Which sentence correctly expresses this?
Iré al evento porque llueve.
Iré al evento aunque llueva.
Iré al evento para que llueva.
Iré al evento cuando llovió.
The speaker knows that the hotel is expensive but still considers it worthwhile. Which sentence naturally expresses this known fact?
Aunque el hotel es caro, merece la pena.
Aunque el hotel sea caro, merece la pena.
Para que el hotel sea caro, merece la pena.
Si el hotel sería caro, merece la pena.
Comparatives
These conjunctions introduce clauses that compare the degree, manner, or quantity of the action in the dependent clause with the main clause. For example:
Hazlo como te dije.
Do it as I told you.
Habla tal como lo hace su madre.
He speaks just as his mother does.
Carmen and Pablo are preparing a short musical performance. Carmen is teaching Pablo how to perform a passage, using her own playing as a model. Notice how comparative conjunctions introduce a standard or manner of comparison.
Pablo, let's practice the beginning of the song again.
All right. Should I play the first notes the same way as before?
Yes, play them as I showed you yesterday.
I see. And what should I do with the slower section?
Perform it just as we played it during rehearsal.
Perfect. I'll try it again.
A chef wants an assistant to prepare a dish using exactly the method demonstrated earlier. Which instruction expresses this?
Prepara el plato porque te enseñé.
Prepara el plato aunque te enseñé.
Prepara el plato como te enseñé.
Prepara el plato para que te enseñé.
What does "tal como" express in "Organizaron la ceremonia tal como estaba previsto"?
The ceremony happened because of an unexpected problem.
The ceremony was organized according to the original plan.
The ceremony was organized despite the original plan.
The ceremony was organized to change the original plan.
Summary
Spanish subordinating conjunctions (conjunciones subordinantes) connect a dependent clause to a main clause. The dependent clause adds information about a relationship such as cause, result, condition, time, purpose, concession, or comparison.
- Clause order: Many subordinate clauses can appear before or after the main clause. When they come first, they are commonly followed by a comma: "Si llueve, no iremos".
- Cause: "Porque", "pues", "ya que", "puesto que", and causal "como" introduce reasons: "No salimos porque llovía".
- Consequence: "Así que" introduces results or conclusions: "Estaba cansado, así que descansé".
- Condition: "Si" introduces conditions, while "a menos que", "a no ser que", and "con tal de que" introduce more specific conditional relationships.
- Time: "Cuando", "mientras", "antes de que", "después de que", "hasta que", and "tan pronto como" relate actions in time.
- Purpose: "Para que" and "a fin de que" introduce intended results and normally require the subjunctive: "Lo explico para que lo entiendas".
- Concession: "Aunque", "a pesar de que", "si bien", and "por más que" express contrast or an obstacle: "Iré aunque llueva".
- Comparison: "Como" and "tal como" can introduce a standard or manner of comparison: "Hazlo como te dije".
- Indicative and subjunctive: Mood selection depends on the conjunction and the meaning of the clause. Habitual or factual information often uses the indicative, while purpose clauses and many hypothetical or future-oriented subordinate clauses require the subjunctive.
In final conversation, Lucía and Andrés are preparing to reopen a small neighborhood cinema. They must decide how to handle it without disappointing the audience.
Andrés, the projector has switched off again while we were testing the film.
Yes, and I'm worried because the opening is tomorrow.
If we manage to repair it this afternoon, we'll be able to keep the schedule.
I'll call the technician so that he can check the electrical system.
And what will we do if he can't come?
We can use the smaller projector, even if the picture isn't as good.
Good idea. We'll arrange the chairs as we'd planned.
Perfect. I'll prepare the backup equipment before the volunteers arrive.
Then we'll inform the audience as soon as we know everything works.
All right. It's a serious problem, but we can still solve it.
Quiz:
Comments
(0)Recommended
