Subjunctive trigger phrases
Beyond WEIRDO: "even if" and "no matter how" phrases, time words about the future, purpose and condition, and fixed expressions all take the subjunctive.
The rule at a glance
trigger phrase + subjunctive
Even if / even though
aunque, por mucho que
Aunque llueva, voy a salir.
Even if it rains, I'm going out.
Time (future)
cuando, en cuanto, hasta que
Cuando llegues, llámame.
When you arrive, call me.
Purpose and condition
para que, a menos que
Hablo despacio para que me entiendas.
I speak slowly so that you understand me.
Fixed expressions
pase lo que pase
Pase lo que pase, estaré aquí.
Come what may, I'll be here.
When to use them
You've learnt the WEIRDO triggers (Wishes, Emotions, Impersonal expressions, Recommendations, Doubt, Ojalá) on the present subjunctive page. These phrases are the advanced triggers native speakers use constantly in conversation: "even if" and "no matter how" constructions, time triggers for future events, purpose and condition, and ready-made fixed expressions. For every trigger in one place, see the list of 120+ subjunctive triggers.
1. Aunque + subjunctive: even if
For hypothetical or uncertain situations, and sometimes for a fact you accept that doesn't change anything. Aunque + indicative means "although" (a known fact): Aunque llueve, voy a salir = although it's raining (and I know it is), I'm going out.
Aunque llueva, voy a salir. Even if it rains, I'm going out.
Aunque no te guste, tienes que hacerlo. Even if you don't like it, you have to do it.
2. Por mucho que, por muy... que: no matter how much
To emphasise that the degree or amount doesn't matter. With a known fact, the indicative is also possible: Por mucho que trabaja, no gana bien (he works a lot, but he doesn't earn much).
Por mucho que estudies, no aprobarás. No matter how much you study, you won't pass.
Por muy cansado que estés, tienes que terminar. No matter how tired you are, you have to finish.
Por muy difícil que sea, no te rindas. No matter how difficult it is, don't give up.
3. Diga lo que diga, haga lo que haga: whatever...
Fixed expressions meaning "whatever happens / is said / is done": the same verb twice, in the subjunctive.
Pase lo que pase, estaré aquí. Come what may, I'll be here.
Diga lo que diga la gente, voy a hacerlo. Whatever people say, I'm going to do it.
Sea lo que sea, lo resolveremos. Whatever it is, we'll solve it.
Haga lo que haga, siempre me critica. Whatever I do, he always criticises me.
4. Cuando: subjunctive for the future, indicative for habits
For a future or pending action, cuando takes the subjunctive. For habits and the past, it takes the indicative.
Future: subjunctive: Cuando llegues, llámame. When you arrive, call me.
Future: subjunctive: Cuando termines el trabajo, llámame. When you finish work, call me.
Habit: indicative: Cuando llego, siempre llamo. When I arrive, I always call.
5. En cuanto, tan pronto como, hasta que
As soon as, until: subjunctive when the action is still to come.
En cuanto termine, salgo. As soon as I finish, I'm leaving.
Tan pronto como pueda, te aviso. As soon as I can, I'll let you know.
Espera hasta que lleguen. Wait until they arrive.
Vale, en cuanto salga te aviso. OK, as soon as I leave I'll let you know.
6. Antes de que, después de que, mientras
Antes de que always takes the subjunctive, even for past events that did happen (Salió antes de que llegáramos): it is a fixed rule, not a sign of doubt. Después de que and mientras take it for something still to come; después de que can also take it for past events (Después de que terminara la reunión, nos fuimos).
Hazlo antes de que sea tarde. Do it before it's too late.
Después de que comas, descansa. After you eat, rest.
Mientras estés aquí, ayúdame. While you're here, help me.
7. Para que: so that, in order that
The purpose of an action (why you're doing it). If the subject is the same in both clauses, use para + infinitive instead: Estudio para aprender (I study to learn).
Hablo despacio para que me entiendas. I speak slowly so that you understand me.
Te llamo para que vengas. I'm calling you so that you come.
Te lo digo para que lo sepas. I'm telling you so you know.
Te lo explico para que lo entiendas bien. I'm explaining it so you understand it well.
8. A menos que, con tal de que, siempre que: conditions
Unless, provided that, as long as.
a menos que: No voy a menos que vengas. I'm not going unless you come.
a no ser que: Llegaré tarde a no ser que salga ya. I'll be late unless I leave now.
con tal de que: Voy con tal de que pagues tú. I'll go provided that you pay.
siempre que: Puedes ir siempre que estudies. You can go as long as you study.
con tal de que: Te ayudo con tal de que me ayudes después. I'll help you provided that you help me later.
9. Sin que, en caso de que: without, in case
sin que: Salió sin que lo viera. He left without me seeing him.
en caso de que: Lleva paraguas en caso de que llueva. Take an umbrella in case it rains.
en caso de que: Lleva dinero en caso de que lo necesites. Take money in case you need it.
sin que: Entró sin que nadie lo oyera. He came in without anyone hearing him.
After a past main verb, these phrases usually take the imperfect subjunctive instead, as in Salió sin que lo viera; como si takes the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive (como si lo supiera, como si lo hubiera sabido). The full contrast between the moods is in subjunctive vs indicative.
Fixed expressions
Memorise these as complete chunks.
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| sea como sea | be that as it may | Sea como sea, tenemos que hacerlo. |
| quieras o no | whether you like it or not | Quieras o no, vas a venir. |
| lo que sea | whatever / anything | Haré lo que sea necesario. |
| donde sea | wherever | Te seguiré donde sea. |
| quien sea | whoever / anyone | Pregúntale a quien sea, te dirá lo mismo. |
| como sea | however / anyway | Hazlo como sea, pero hazlo. |
| cuando sea | whenever | Puedes venir cuando sea, estaré en casa. |
| cueste lo que cueste | whatever it costs / at any cost | Cueste lo que cueste, voy a conseguirlo. |
| sea cual sea | whichever it may be | Sea cual sea tu decisión, te apoyo. |
| caiga quien caiga | regardless of who it affects | Vamos a investigar, caiga quien caiga. |
| llueva o truene | come rain or shine | Llueva o truene, estaré allí. |
| suceda lo que suceda | whatever happens | Suceda lo que suceda, no te rindas. |
Common mistakes
Using the indicative after "antes de que"
Not this (incorrect): Antes de que llega, limpia
But this (correct): Antes de que llegue, limpia. "Antes de que" always requires the subjunctive.
The indicative after "para que"
Not this (incorrect): Hablo despacio para que entiendes
But this (correct): Hablo despacio para que entiendas – I speak slowly so that you understand. Para que always takes the subjunctive; with the same subject use para + infinitive.
Aunque + subjunctive vs aunque + indicative
Not this (incorrect): Aunque llueve mañana, iré
But this (correct): Aunque llueva mañana, iré – Even if it rains tomorrow, I'll go. Tomorrow's rain isn't a known fact. Subjunctive = hypothetical; indicative = known fact: Aunque llueve, iré = although it is raining.
The present after "cuando" for the future
Not this (incorrect): Cuando llego a casa, te llamaré
But this (correct): Cuando llegue a casa, te llamaré – When I get home, I'll call you. English uses the present ("when I get home"), but Spanish needs the subjunctive for a future action.
Quick check
6 questions1. Aunque ___ mañana, iremos a la playa. (it might rain)
Aunque + subjunctive for something that might happen: even if.
2. Hazlo antes de que ___ tarde.
Antes de que always takes the subjunctive.
3. Cuando ___ a casa, siempre ceno. (every day)
A habit with cuando takes the indicative.
4. Te lo explico para que lo ___.
Different subjects: para que + subjunctive.
5. Por mucho que ___, no lo vas a terminar hoy. (however hard you might work)
Por mucho que + subjunctive: no matter how much you might work. The indicative (trabajas) is only for a known fact: although you do work a lot.
6. Lleva paraguas en caso de que ___.
En caso de que always takes the subjunctive.
Indicative or subjunctive? Pick the form that fits.