4.5.1 The subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses
What is an adverbial clause?
Adverbial clauses are the third type of clause in which the subjunctive occurs. Adverbs can be the hardest kind of word to identify because they either modify verbs or modify adjectives. Let’s see a few examples of adverbs before moving on to adverbial clauses:
English
Maggie runs fast.
Fast is an adverb because it describes how Maggie runs, it does not describe Maggie.
Spanish:
Magy corre rápido
Magy uses female pronouns. But since “rápido” is an adverb and describes running and not Magy, the form is masculine.
Adverbial clauses that use the subjunctive
Again, when a clause functions as an adverb, it can use the subjunctive. In these clauses, the trigger for the subjunctive is time relationships. In sentences that use the subjunctive, we are generally saying A has to happen in order for B to happen. B is in the dependent clause and depends on whatever is in part A. If A doesn’t happen then B doesn’t happen. The subjunctive is used to express this dependent relationship.
Adverbial clauses are introduced with expressions, some of which require the use of the subjunctive. This has to do with the meaning of relationship expressed by the conjunctions. Some of the most common adverbial conjunctions that require the subjunctive are listed here:
| ESCAPA-A | |
| En caso de que | As long as |
| Sin que | Without |
| Con tal de que | As long as |
| Antes de que | Before |
| Para que | So that |
| A fin de que | In order to |
| A menos que | Unless |
These adverbial conjunctions will introduce the dependent clause and they are always subjunctive as long as they have the word que. We can sometimes omit que and what happens then will be discussed later in the chapter.
Let’s see a few examples here:
El delantal blanco: “Si te traje a la playa es para que vigilaras a Alvarito y no para que te pusieras a leer”
El delantal blanco: “Le pondremos una inyección para que se duerma por un buen tiempo”
Una carta abierta: “para que reconozcas en mí lo que de tu padre tengo.”
The subjunctive after adverbs
There are a few adverbs that require the subjunctive. These include some of the few instances in which the subjunctive is the only verb in the sentence. They are:
- Tal vez
- Quizá(s)
- Ojalá (que)[1]
- Acaso
- Mejor (que)
These are all ways of saying “hopefully” or “possibly” and any time they occur before a verb, they require the subjunctive.
Activity 1
- What are these sentences saying? Translate them into English. Why is the subjunctive necessary?
Activities 2 & 3
Activity-practice the subjunctive in adverbial clauses where it’s mandatory.
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- Listen
and then complete the following activity:
- not technically an adverb-but acting like one here ↵
