Types of Temporal Subordinate Clauses
Temporal subordinate clauses in Spanish can be categorized based on the timing relationship they express The main types include Simultaneity when two actions occur at the same time
Anteriority when one action precedes another
Posteriority when one action follows another
Each type uses specific conjunctions and verb tenses to accurately convey the temporal relationship between the main clause and the subordinate clause
Simultaneity
Simultaneity refers to actions that occur at the same time Several conjunctions indicate this relationship such as cuando when mientras while and en cuanto as soon as
Structure
The structure for expressing simultaneity is generally
Main clause conjunction subordinate clause both in the indicative mood for habitual actions or subjunctive for future or hypothetical actions
Examples
1 Cuando when
Cuando llego a casa ceno When I get home I have dinner
This sentence indicates that the action of having dinner happens when the speaker gets home both in the indicative mood for a habitual action
2 Mientras while
Mientras estudias yo cocino While you study I cook
Here the action of studying occurs simultaneously with cooking both in the indicative mood
3 En cuanto as soon as
En cuanto termine te llamo As soon as I finish I will call you
This sentence indicates that calling will happen immediately after finishing subordinate clause in the subjunctive for a future action
Anteriority
Anteriority refers to actions that occur before another action Conjunctions like antes de que before and después de que after are commonly used
Structure
The structure for expressing anteriority is typically
Main clause conjunction subordinate clause subordinate clause in the subjunctive mood when referring to a future action or intention
Examples
1 Antes de que before
Antes de que te vayas quiero hablar contigo Before you leave I want to talk to you
The action of talking occurs before leaving subordinate clause in the subjunctive for a future action
2 Después de que after
Después de que cenemos veremos una película After we have dinner we will watch a movie
The action of watching a movie occurs after having dinner subordinate clause in the subjunctive for a future action
3 Una vez que once
Una vez que llegue a casa te llamo Once I get home I will call you
The action of calling occurs after getting home subordinate clause in the subjunctive for a future action
Posteriority
Posteriority indicates actions that occur after another action Conjunctions such as después de que after and tan pronto como as soon as are used
Structure
The structure for expressing posteriority is
Main clause conjunction subordinate clause subordinate clause in the indicative or subjunctive mood depending on whether the action is habitual or future
Examples
1 Después de que after
Después de que termine la reunión saldremos a comer After the meeting ends we will go out to eat
The action of going out to eat occurs after the meeting ends subordinate clause in the subjunctive for a future action
2 Tan pronto como as soon as
Tan pronto como te vea te lo diré As soon as I see you I will tell you
The action of telling occurs as soon as seeing happens subordinate clause in the subjunctive for a future action
Usage of Indicative vs Subjunctive
Choosing between the indicative and subjunctive moods in temporal subordinate clauses depends on the certainty and timing of the action Generally
Indicative mood is used for habitual actions or past actions that are considered factual
Subjunctive mood is used for actions that are anticipated hypothetical or uncertain particularly when referring to future events
Examples
1 Indicative Mood for Habitual Actions
Cuando llueve no salimos When it rains we do not go out
Both actions are habitual and factual so the indicative mood is used
2 Subjunctive Mood for Future Actions
Cuando llueva no saldremos When it rains we will not go out
The action of not going out is anticipated based on the future possibility of rain requiring the subjunctive mood
Specific Conjunctions and Their Uses
Certain conjunctions have specific rules for when to use the indicative or subjunctive moods
1 Cuando when
Indicative Used for habitual or past actions
Cuando era niño jugaba al fútbol When I was a child I played soccer
Subjunctive Used for future or hypothetical actions
Cuando llegues llámame When you arrive call me
2 Mientras while
Indicative Used for simultaneous ongoing actions
Mientras cocino él lee While I cook he reads
Subjunctive Used when the action is dependent on another future action
Mientras no llegues no empezaremos As long as you dont arrive we will not start
3 Hasta que until
Indicative Used for habitual or past actions
Esperé hasta que llegaste I waited until you arrived
Subjunctive Used for future or hypothetical actions
Esperaré hasta que llegues I will wait until you arrive
4 En cuanto as soon as
Indicative Used for habitual or past actions
En cuanto lo vi lo saludé As soon as I saw him I greeted him
Subjunctive Used for future or hypothetical actions
En cuanto lo vea lo saludaré As soon as I see him I will greet him
Temporal Clauses in Different Tenses
Temporal subordinate clauses can appear in various tenses to indicate the timing relationship between events in the past present or future
Past Tense
1 Cuando era joven viajaba mucho When I was young I traveled a lot
Both the main and subordinate clauses are in the past indicative showing habitual actions in the past
2 Después de que terminó la película nos fuimos a casa After the movie ended we went home
The action of going home follows the past action of the movie ending
Present Tense
1 Siempre me relajo cuando leo un libro I always relax when I read a book
Both actions are habitual and occur simultaneously in the present
2 Mientras trabajas yo limpiaré la casa While you work I will clean the house
The action of cleaning will happen simultaneously with working anticipating future actions
Future Tense
1 Te llamaré cuando llegue I will call you when I arrive
The action of calling will happen after arriving both anticipated in the future
2 No saldremos hasta que deje de llover We will not go out until it stops raining
The action of going out is dependent on the future cessation of rain
