Subjunctive in Adverbial Phrases Quiz and Review (Quiz #4)

Mastering the subjunctive in adverbial phrases (and adverbial clauses) is one of the biggest milestones in achieving Spanish fluency. Adverbial clauses modify the main verb by telling us how, why, when, or under what conditions an action happens.

In this quick review and quiz, we break down the essential rules of when to use the subjunctive mood versus the indicative mood in adverbial expressions.

Conjunctions That ALWAYS Require the Subjunctive

Some adverbial phrases introduce a condition, purpose, or hypothetical situation that hasn’t happened yet. These conjunctions always require the subjunctive mood when followed by a new subject and a conjugated verb.

En caso de que (In case)

Example: Llevaré mi paraguas en caso de que llueva.
(I will bring my umbrella in case it rains.)

Con tal (de) que (As long as / Provided that)

Example: Te ayudaré con tal de que me acompañes al teatro esta noche.
(I will help you as long as you come with me to the theater tonight.)

Para que / A fin de que (So that / In order that)

Example: Voy a enseñárselo a Miguel para que me crea.
(I am going to show it to Miguel so that he believes me.)

Example: Ellos crearon este grupo a fin de que tuviéramos un lugar seguro para hablar.
(They created this group so that we would have a safe place to talk.)

Sin que (Without)

Example: No puedo hacerlo sin que me tiemblen las manos.
(I cannot do it without my hands trembling.)

The Infinitive Exception (No Subject Change)

Grammar Tip: When the subject of the sentence does not change, drop the “que” and use the infinitive instead of the subjunctive.

• Correct: Estoy a dieta para bajar de peso. (I am on a diet to lose weight.)
• Correct: Todos tendremos que hacer sacrificios a fin de llegar a un acuerdo. (We will all have to make sacrifices in order to reach an agreement.)

The “A Menos Que” Exception

Unlike the others, a menos que (unless) almost always requires the subjunctive mood, even if the subject remains the same.

Example: No puedes participar a menos que sigas las reglas. (You cannot participate unless you follow the rules.)

Adverbial Clauses of Time (Subjunctive vs. Indicative)

Temporal conjunctions (like cuando, en cuanto, and siempre que) are flexible. You must choose between the subjunctive or indicative based on the timeline of the action:

• Use the subjunctive for future, pending, or uncertain actions.
• Use the indicative for habitual actions, facts, or past events.

Examples in Action:

Antes de que (Always requires subjunctive):
Preparé la comida antes de que llegaran.
(I prepared the meal before they arrived.)

Cuando (Future/Pending → Subjunctive):
Llámame cuando estés lista.
(Call me when you’re ready.)

Cuando (Habitual → Indicative):
El niño siempre llora cuando el perro ladra.
(The baby always cries when the dog barks.)

En cuanto (Future command → Subjunctive):
Ustedes levántense en cuanto suene la alarma.
(Get up as soon as the alarm clock goes off.)

Siempre que (Habitual → Indicative):
La visito siempre que tengo la oportunidad.
(I visit her whenever I have the chance.)

Siempre que (Future condition → Subjunctive):
Ponte bloqueador siempre que salgas al sol.
(Put on sunscreen every time you go out in the sun.)

Adverbial Clauses of Manner and Place (How & Where)

Just like time clauses, phrases introducing how (conjunctions like aunque) or where (donde) change meaning depending on reality versus hypothetical situations.

Aunque + Indicative (Even though it’s a known fact):
Aunque tiene el dinero, no va a comprar la casa.
(Although she has the money, she’s not going to buy the house.)

Aunque + Subjunctive (Even if it’s hypothetical/contrary to fact):
Aunque tuviera el dinero, no podría comprar la casa.
(Even if she had the money, she couldn’t buy the house.)

Donde + Indicative (A specific, known place):
Vamos donde tú quieres.
(Let’s go to the specific place where you want to go.)

Donde + Subjunctive (Anywhere / Unknown place):
Vamos donde tú quieras.
(Let’s go wherever you want to go.)

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

Put your skills to the test with our comprehensive Spanish grammar quizzes!

• Quiz #4 – The Subjunctive in Adverbial Clauses
• Quiz #1 – Choose the Correct Tense of the Subjunctive
• Quiz #2 – The Subjunctive in Noun Clauses
• Quiz #3 – The Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses

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