Subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to a main clause, showing relationships like time, cause, condition, and purpose. They shape how you interpret and organize information.
Time
Time conjunctions introduce when something happens relative to another event, and they sometimes require the subjunctive if the action is anticipated or uncertain.
Examples
Spanish Example
English Translation
☕ Mientras preparaba el café, revisé mi correo.
While I made coffee, I checked my email.
📰 Antes de salir, leí las noticias.
Before leaving, I read the news.
🌇 Cuando llegó la tarde, cerraron las tiendas.
When evening came, the stores closed.
🌅 Después de que amaneció, salió a correr.
After it dawned, he went for a run.
⏳ Tan pronto como llegó, empezó la reunión.
As soon as he arrived, the meeting began.
🛏️ Hasta que terminé, no me acosté.
Until I finished, I did not go to bed.
Vocabulary
Spanish Word(s)
English Word(s)
cuando
when
antes de que
before
después de que
after
en cuanto
as soon as
hasta que
until
Spanish
English
antes de
before
después de
after
mientras
while
cuando
when
tan pronto como
as soon as
hasta que
until
Cause
Cause conjunctions explain why something happens, linking an effect to its reason. They normally trigger the indicative because the cause is presented as real.
Examples
Spanish Example
English Translation
⚡ Se cayó la luz porque hubo una tormenta.
The power went out because there was a storm.
🛑 No salí puesto que estaba lloviendo mucho.
I didn’t go out since it was raining heavily.
🌧️ Como había alerta de lluvia, cancelaron el evento.
Since there was a rain warning, they canceled the event.
🧹 Me quedé limpiando casa ya que no podía salir.
I stayed cleaning the house because I couldn’t go out.
🗣️ Dijeron que no habría clases porque el transporte paró.
They said there would be no classes because the transport stopped.
📴 Apagué el teléfono puesto que necesitaba concentración.
I turned off the phone since I needed focus.
Vocabulary
Spanish Word(s)
English Word(s)
porque
because
ya que
since
puesto que
given that
como
since / as
dado que
given that
Spanish
English
porque
because
puesto que
since
ya que
given that
como
as/since
dado que
considering that
por
due to
Condition
Condition conjunctions set requirements for an action to occur, and they can trigger the subjunctive when the condition is hypothetical or uncertain.
Examples
Spanish Example
English Translation
☔ Si llueve, llevaré un paraguas.
If it rains, I will take an umbrella.
🌂 En caso de lluvia, el partido se pospone.
In case of rain, the game is postponed.
🔄 Siempre llevo ropa extra por si me mojo.
I always bring extra clothes in case I get wet.
🏠 Saldré con tal de que deje de llover.
I will go out provided that it stops raining.
📧 Te aviso con tal que cambien la hora del evento.
I’ll let you know provided that they change the event time.
⚠️ Aunque llueva, la reunión será virtual.
Although it rains, the meeting will be virtual.
Vocabulary
Spanish Word(s)
English Word(s)
si
if
a menos que
unless
en caso de que
in case
siempre que
provided that
con tal de que
as long as
Spanish
English
si
if
en caso de
in case of
con tal de que
provided that
siempre que
whenever / provided that
aunque
although / even though
salvo que
unless
Purpose
Purpose conjunctions express the reason an action is done, often introducing a subordinate clause with the subjunctive when the intended outcome is not guaranteed.
Examples
Spanish Example
English Translation
🎯 Llevé una manta para que pudiéramos sentarnos en seco.
I brought a blanket so that we could sit dry.
🗺️ Cambiaron la ruta para que evitaran las calles inundadas.
They changed the route so that they avoided the flooded streets.
🔦 Encendí la linterna para que vieran el camino.
I turned on the flashlight so that they could see the path.
🧴 Guardé la comida en bolsas para que no se mojara.
I put the food in bags so that it wouldn’t get wet.
📝 Hice una lista para que no olvidáramos nada importante.
I made a list so that we wouldn’t forget anything important.
🏷️ Marcamos las cajas para que supieran su contenido.
We labeled the boxes so that they knew their contents.
Vocabulary
Spanish Word(s)
English Word(s)
para que
so that
a fin de que
in order that
con el propósito de que
with the purpose that
para
for / in order to
con la intención de que
with the intention that
Spanish
English
para que
so that
a fin de que
in order that
con el propósito de
with the purpose of
con la intención de
with the intention of
a modo de
as a way of
por+infinitive
in order to
Manner
Manner conjunctions describe how something is done and can introduce subordinate clauses that use the subjunctive when the manner is desired or uncertain.
Examples
Spanish Example
English Translation
Spanish Example
English Translation
🌧️ Hicieron lo posible para llegar a tiempo pese a la lluvia.
They did their best to arrive on time despite the rain.
🧽 Secaron la entrada con toallas para que no resbalara.
They dried the entrance with towels so that it wouldn’t be slippery.
🚗 Condujeron más despacio de lo habitual debido al agua en la calle.
They drove more slowly than usual due to the water on the street.
🧴 Colocaron arena en los charcos para que la gente tuviera mejor paso.
They placed sand in the puddles so that people had better footing.
📢 Avisaron por megáfono para que todos escucharan el cambio de lugar.
They announced by megaphone so that everyone heard the change of place.
✉️ Mandaron correos recordando el horario a pesar del mal tiempo.
They sent emails reminding the schedule despite the bad weather.
Vocabulary
Spanish Word(s)
English Word(s)
como
how / as
según
according to
de la manera que
in the way that
tal como
just as
según que
depending on
Spanish
English
como
as / like
tal como
just as
según
according to
de modo que
so that
de manera que
in such a way that
así
like this / so
Concession
Concession conjunctions acknowledge opposing information and sometimes require the subjunctive when the contrary fact is uncertain or anticipated.
Examples
Spanish Example
English Translation
Spanish Example
English Translation
🌧️ Aunque llovía, muchas personas asistieron al concierto.
Although it was raining, many people attended the concert.
🛍️ A pesar del agua en las calles, salí a comprar.
Despite the water in the streets, I went out shopping.
🚧 Si bien había cortes de luz, el evento siguió adelante.
Even though there were power outages, the event went on.
🧥 Aunque hacía frío y lluvia, traje a los niños al parque.
Although it was cold and rainy, I brought the kids to the park.
📵 Aun cuando no había señal, mantuvimos contacto por voz.
Even when there was no signal, we stayed in touch by voice.
⚠️ Si bien el clima era adverso, se prepararon con entusiasmo.
While the weather was adverse, they prepared enthusiastically.
Vocabulary
Spanish Word(s)
English Word(s)
aunque
although / even if
a pesar de que
despite that
aun cuando
even when
si bien
although
pese a que
despite that
Spanish
English
aunque
although
a pesar de
despite
si bien
even though
aun cuando
even when
pese a
despite
por más que
no matter how much
Summary
Subordinating conjunctions signal the relationship between clauses and guide whether you use the indicative or subjunctive. Paying attention to these markers improves both comprehension and expression.
