Spanish subordinating conjunctions that connect dependent clauses to main clauses, indicating cause, time, condition, purpose, and more.
Subordinating conjunctions (las conjunciones subordinantes o subordinadas) are words that link a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing relationships like cause, time, condition, purpose, or contrast. In Spanish, these conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses that cannot stand alone.
- Subordinating conjunctions always introduce a dependent clause.
- The verb in the subordinate clause often appears in the subjunctive mood when expressing uncertainty, purpose, or condition, but can be indicative if stating facts.
- Common types include conjunctions for cause, time, condition, purpose, concession, and comparison.
Common Types of Subordinating Conjunctions
Below are the most frequent categories of Spanish subordinating conjunctions, along with examples:
- Cause (reason why): porque, puesto que, ya que, dado que
- Time (when): cuando, mientras, en cuanto, tan pronto como, antes de que, después de que
- Condition (if): si, a menos que, con tal de que, siempre que
- Purpose (in order that): para que, a fin de que
- Concession (although): aunque, a pesar de que, por más que
- Comparison: como, tal como
Subordinating Conjunctions Table
| Category | Spanish Conjunction | Meaning | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | porque | because | No fui a la fiesta porque estaba cansado. | I didn't go to the party because I was tired. |
| Cause | puesto que | since | Puesto que llueve, no saldré. | Since it's raining, I won't go out. |
| Cause | ya que | given that | Ya que estás aquí, ayúdame. | Given that you're here, help me. |
| Time | cuando | when | Te llamaré cuando llegue. | I'll call you when I arrive. |
| Time | mientras | while | Escucho música mientras estudio. | I listen to music while I study. |
| Time | en cuanto | as soon as | Salimos en cuanto termina la reunión. | We leave as soon as the meeting ends. |
| Time | tan pronto como | as soon as | Tan pronto como llegue, te aviso. | As soon as I arrive, I'll let you know. |
| Time | antes de que | before (that) | Termina la tarea antes de que salgamos. | Finish the homework before we leave. |
| Time | después de que | after (that) | Salimos después de que oscurece. | We leave after it gets dark. |
| Condition | si | if | Si tienes tiempo, ven conmigo. | If you have time, come with me. |
| Condition | a menos que | unless | No saldré a menos que deje de llover. | I won't go out unless it stops raining. |
| Condition | con tal de que | as long as | Puedes ir con tal de que seas responsable. | You can go as long as you're responsible. |
| Condition | siempre que | provided that | Siempre que estudies, aprobarás. | Provided that you study, you'll pass. |
| Purpose | para que | so that | Estudio para que mis padres estén orgullosos. | I study so that my parents are proud. |
| Purpose | a fin de que | in order that | Te lo explico a fin de que lo entiendas. | I explain it to you so that you understand. |
| Concession | aunque | although/even though | Aunque llueva, iremos al parque. | Even though it rains, we'll go to the park. |
| Concession | a pesar de que | despite the fact that | A pesar de que está enfermo, fue a trabajar. | Despite being sick, he went to work. |
| Concession | por más que | no matter how much | Por más que estudio, no entiendo. | No matter how much I study, I don't understand. |
| Comparison | como | as/like | Hazlo como te enseñé. | Do it as I taught you. |
| Comparison | tal como | just as | Tal como prometí, vine temprano. | Just as I promised, I came early. |
The conjunctions "como" and "tal como" are used to make what kind of comparison?
Comparison (as/like)
"Como" and "tal como" introduce clauses that compare actions or situations by showing similarity.
The conjunctions "aunque", "a pesar de que", and "por más que" introduce clauses that express what kind of meaning?
Concession (although)
These conjunctions introduce subordinate clauses that acknowledge a fact or obstacle, yet the main clause remains true or occurs anyway.
Summary
Spanish subordinating conjunctions connect dependent clauses to main clauses, expressing relationships of cause, time, condition, purpose, concession, and comparison. The verb mood in the dependent clause may be subjunctive or indicative depending on the meaning. These conjunctions are essential for building complex, nuanced sentences.
Flashcards (1 of 20)
- Category: Cause
- Meaning: because
- Example (English): I didn't go to the party because I was tired.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
