Use of Subjunctive in Time Expressions  

Grammar Present Subjunctive Time Expressions
Overview

Time expressions occur in adverbial clauses. We have studied seven different patterns, with minor variations.

"will do" present subjunctive
"is going to do" present subjunctive
"want to do" present subjunctive
"do it" present subjunctive
"would do" past subjunctive
"was going to do" past subjunctive
"wanted to do" past subjunctive

Notice that all of these cases represent situations in which an event is being anticipated. The subjunctive verb form is used to express these events that have not been experienced. That is, they are not part of the speaker's reality.

Examples:

Llevaré las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegue.
I will take the suitcases to the hotel as soon as the plane arrives.

Perdóneme, llegaré tan pronto como yo pueda.
Pardon me, I will arrive as soon as I can.

OR:

Quiero que lleves las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegue.

Juan, lleva las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegue.

Juan dijo que llevaría las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegara.

Juan dijo que iba a llevar las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegara.

Juan dijo que quería llevar las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegara.

OR:

Juan dijo que quería que yo llevara las maletas al hotel tan pronto como el avión llegara.

Note! The expression, antes de que is ALWAYS followed by the subjunctive, because its meaning inevitably suggests another event which is being anticipated.


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Popular Phrase: how do you say | Kids' Spanish Resources | Conjugated Verb: paginar - to paginate [ click for full conjugation ]