It’s true that Spanish speakers generally use presente de subjuntivo to express uncertainty, probability, or feelings such as joy, surprise, or amazement. Nonetheless, it can be more useful when combining it together with words like Como, Cuando, and Adonde
Using the structrutes Como/ Cuando/ Adonde + Subjuntivo can help you talk about future events and express different types of conditions. Using these structures is a great way to improve your speaking. Therefore, adding these phrases to your vocabulary is an incredible choice if you’re learning Spanish. Keep reading this article and learn more about Como/ Cuando/ Adonde + Subjuntivo
How to use como + presente de subjuntivo
Using como + presente de subjuntivo is pretty common when you want to build conditionals. Yet, these types of conditionals are a bit different. You can use como together with phrase like “tan pronto” to build “tan pronto como”. Let’s see an example.
Tan pronto como vuelvas de trabajar, irémos a casa de Rebeca.
As you may see, the expression “tan pronto como” help us express that the minute the condition is met, another action will happen in the near future.
The structure como + presente subjuntivo is often used by native speakers in subordinate sentences. Then, you’ll have the main clause and the subordinate clause. In that case, como will play the role of a connector.
You can use como by itself. In this situation, the sentence will still express that when the condition is met, another action will happen in the future. However, this time, listeners might not have an idea when the action will be met. Using “tan pronto” improves credibility and confidence in your audience. Using como by itself is less popular. Let’s see a few more examples.
Como nos autoricen, iremos a la clínica a visitar a mi abuelita.
As authorized, we will go to the clinic to visit my grandmother.
Harémos la tarea como tú digas.
We will do the homework as you say.
Please note that the expression “como tú digas” does not express a condition but a way of doing something. In that case, the way of doing the homework. There are other phrases you can build using como like, for example, como si.
How to use cuando + presente de subjuntivo
Using cuando + el presente subjuntivo is common in Spanish. However, some students get confused when deciding if they need to conjugate the verb following cuando in the indicative or the subjunctive. To clear your mind, you’ll always conjugate the verb following cuando in the subjunctive when you want to talk about future events. On the flip side, you’ll use the indicative only when you want to talk about temporary events. Then, let’s see a few examples using the subjunctive.
Cuando venga mi madre de viaje, haremos una fiesta para celebrar su regreso, ya lleva 3 meses fuera del país.
When my mother comes on a trip, we will have a party to celebrate her return. She has already been out of the country for 3 months.
El doctor dijo que nos llamará cuando sepa el resultado, así que debemos esperar hasta entonces y tener fé.
The doctor said that he will call us when he knows the result, so we should wait until then and have faith.
Cuando ordenes tu cuarto y termines con tus deberes, es que te daré permiso para salir con tus amigos.
When you tidy up your room and finish your homework, I’ll permit you to go out with your friends.
As you can see, we use this expression as long as the action is in the future and there’s a condition that needs to be met.
In some cases, the connector cuando does not need to go before the presente de subjuntivo. We can also use it after the verb. In this case, we do not need to fulfill a condition to execute an action. Instead, it is more of an advice, warning, or command. Let’s have a look at some other examples.
Es necesario que prestes atención cuando te hable, de esta manera puedes aprender más rápido sin cometer muchos errores.
You need to pay attention when I talk to you, this way you can learn faster without making many mistakes.
Sería bueno que se casen cuando caiga la primavera. Es una de las épocas más hermosas del año y las flores se verán increíbles en las fotos.
It would be nice to get married when spring falls. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year and the flowers will look amazing in the photos.
How to use adonde + presente de subjuntivo
The word adonde is a relative adverb of place that expresses the direction of movement. Or also, adonde introduces a sentence that indicates the place where something is or happens. We write this adverb without an accent. Thus, the adverb adonde goes before the presente de subjuntivo. Here are some examples below,
Adonde sea que lo hagas, ten cuidado, que las calles están más peligrosas que nunca.
Wherever you do it, be careful, the streets are more dangerous than ever.
Adonde sea que inventen ir, no cuenten conmigo, nunca me han gustado los viajes no planificados.
Wherever you invent to go, do not count on me, I have never liked unplanned trips.
¡Se puede ir adonde quiera, en barco, en avión, en carro o en tren, no lo necesito!
You can go anywhere you want, by boat, by plane, by car or by train, I don’t need it!
On the other side, there is an expression where you can use the adverb adonde with the present subjunctive quiera. In this case, you can form a single word, which is adondequiera. This expression is an adverb of place meaning “anywhere” or “wherever”. Spanish speakers usually use it before the relative que. For example,
Había decidido seguirla adondequiera que fuese.
I had decided to follow her wherever she went.
In summary, one of the things that the words como, cuando, and adonde have in common, is that all three are adverbs. Although you can use these adverbs in the present subjunctive, when we talk about the word cuando, you should use it together with the subjunctive to talk about future events. Yet, keep in mind that this does not affect the time of the sentence.