CSG159

Unit 14

Morę Uses of tlie Subjunctive: Adverb and Relative Clauses

The Suhjunetive in Adverb Clauses

In Unit 13, you learned that the speaker uses the subjunctive in noun clauses to communicate doubt, wish, denial, etc., about the actions of other subjects in dependent noun clauses. The subjunc-tive mood is also used in other situations of doubt, uncertainty, purpose, and condition following certain conjunctions, connect-ing phrases, and adverbs.

A conjunction (conjunción) is a word or expression used to link sentences or clauses within a sentence. Many conjunctions are really connecting phrases usually ending in que. antes (de) que

(before) or para que (in order that), for example.

These connecting expressions link the main clause to dependent clauses or adverb clauses (clausulas or proposiciones circunstan-ciales) because they function as an adverb, modifying or specify-ing the manner, place, time, etc., in which the action of the main clause takes place.

Puedo terminar el informe    I can finish the report before

antes de que Alina llegue. Alina arrives.

Notę the circumstances surrounding the verb in the main clause with respect to the information in the dependent clause, antes de que Alina llegue. The dependent clause functions as an adverb of time for puedo terminar, indicating when the action of the main clause is taking place. In this example, the action in the main clause will take place before the action expressed in the dependent clause.

Other conjunctions or connecting phrases with que introduce a dependent clause + subjunctive to express a purpose, condition, proviso, etc., with regard to the verb in the main clause:

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