Subordinating Conjunctions: Que, Porque, Aunque, Cuando, Si
Que, porque, aunque, cuando and si start a clause that depends on the main one; some, like para que, always take the subjunctive, and time words take it for the future.
The rule at a glance
que that · porque because · aunque although · cuando when · si if
Subjunctive: cuando about the future, para que and antes de que always
That
que
not dropped as in English
Creo que tienes razón
I think (that) you're right
Because
porque · como
como when the reason comes first
Estudio porque quiero aprender
I study because I want to learn
Although, even if
aunque
fact: indicative; maybe: subjunctive
Aunque llueva, saldré
Even if it rains (it might), I'll go out
When (future)
cuando + subjunctive
also hasta que, antes de que
Cuando llegues, llámame
When you arrive, call me
- Never present subjunctive after si: Si tienes tiempo (real) or Si tuvieras tiempo (hypothetical), never si tengas.
Forms
While coordinating conjunctions connect equal elements, subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses that cannot stand alone. They show relationships like cause, time, condition and purpose, and some of them need the subjunctive mood.
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| que | that | Creo que sí | I think so |
| porque | because | porque quiero | because I want to |
| aunque | although | aunque llueva | even if it rains |
| cuando | when | cuando llegues | when you arrive |
| si | if | si puedo | if I can |
| mientras | while | mientras como | while I eat |
Indicative or subjunctive?
| Conjunction | Indicative | Subjunctive |
|---|---|---|
| que | after thinking, saying, knowing: Creo que tienes razón | after hoping, wanting: Espero que vengas |
| porque, como | always: porque quiero | - |
| aunque | a known fact: Aunque llueve, salgo | a possibility: Aunque llueva, saldré |
| cuando, hasta que | past or habit: Cuando tengo tiempo, leo | future: Cuando llegues, llámame |
| si | real conditions: Si tienes tiempo, ven | imperfect subjunctive for hypotheses: Si tuviera dinero. Never present subjunctive |
| para que, antes de que, a menos que, sin que, con tal de que, a no ser que | - | always |
Conjunctions that always take the subjunctive
They express purpose, anticipation or conditions that may not be realised.
| Conjunction | Meaning |
|---|---|
| para que | so that / in order that |
| antes de que | before |
| a menos que | unless |
| sin que | without |
| con tal de que | provided that |
| a no ser que | unless |
When to use each
1. Que: after thinking and saying
Que is the most common Spanish conjunction. It introduces clauses after verbs of thinking, saying, believing, knowing and wanting. Unlike English "that", it is rarely dropped.
Creo que tienes razón – I think (that) you're right
Me parece que está cerrado – It seems to me (that) it's closed
Dice que viene mañana – He says (that) he's coming tomorrow
Me dijo que estaba ocupado – He told me (that) he was busy
2. Porque and como: giving a reason
Porque (one word) means "because"; por qué (two words) means "why", and el porqué is "the reason". When the reason comes first, use como (since, as).
Estudio porque quiero aprender – I study because I want to learn
No vine porque estaba enfermo – I didn't come because I was ill
Como no viniste, salimos sin ti – Since you didn't come, we left without you
Como estaba lloviendo, me quedé en casa – As it was raining, I stayed at home
3. Aunque: fact or possibility
With the indicative the situation is real and known ("although"); with the subjunctive it may or may not happen ("even if").
Fact: Aunque llueve, salgo – Although it's raining (fact), I'm going out
Fact: Aunque es caro, lo compro – Although it's expensive (I know it is), I'm buying it
Possibility: Aunque llueva, saldré – Even if it rains (it might), I'll go out
Possibility: Aunque sea caro, lo compraré – Even if it's expensive (whatever the price), I'll buy it
4. Cuando, mientras, hasta que: time
For past or habitual events use the indicative; for future events use the subjunctive.
Past: Cuando era niño, jugaba mucho – When I was a child, I played a lot
Future: Cuando llegues, llámame – When you arrive, call me
Leo mientras como – I read while I eat
Future: Espera hasta que llegue – Wait until he arrives
5. Si: conditions
Real conditions take the indicative; hypothetical ones the imperfect subjunctive. More on conditional sentences (si clauses).
Real: Si tienes tiempo, ven – If you have time, come
Possible: Si puedo, te ayudo – If I can, I'll help you
Hypothetical: Si tuviera dinero, viajaría – If I had money, I would travel
6. Para que, antes de que, sin que: always subjunctive
These conjunctions express something that hasn't happened yet or might not happen, so they always take the subjunctive.
Hablo despacio para que entiendas – I speak slowly so that you understand
Llámame antes de que salgas – Call me before you leave
Voy a menos que llueva – I'm going unless it rains
Salió sin que lo viéramos – He left without us seeing him
Common mistakes
Don't drop que
Not this (incorrect): Creo es verdad
But this (correct): Creo que es verdad – I think (that) it's true. Unlike English, Spanish almost always requires "que".
Porque vs por qué
Not this (incorrect): ¿Porque vas?
But this (correct): ¿Por qué vas? – Why are you going? Porque (one word) = because: Voy porque quiero. Por qué (two words) = why.
Future = subjunctive
Not this (incorrect): Cuando llega, comeremos
But this (correct): Cuando llegue, comeremos – When he arrives, we'll eat. Time conjunctions need the subjunctive for future events. In the past it is indicative: Cuando llegó, comimos.
Never present subjunctive after si
Not this (incorrect): Si tenga tiempo...
But this (correct): Si tengo tiempo... For "if" clauses use the indicative (real) or the imperfect subjunctive (hypothetical): Si tuviera tiempo...
Como at the start of the sentence
Not this (incorrect): Porque llovía, me quedé en casa
But this (correct): Como llovía, me quedé en casa – As it was raining, I stayed at home. Starting with porque sounds odd: use como when the reason comes first, porque when it comes second (Me quedé en casa porque llovía).
Quick check
8 questions1. Complete: Creo ___ tienes razón (I think you're right)
Use 'que' after verbs of thinking/believing to introduce a clause.
2. Which is correct for 'because I want to'?
'Porque' (one word, no accent) means 'because'. 'Por qué' (two words, with an accent) means 'why'.
3. Complete: ___ no viniste, salimos sin ti (Since you didn't come...)
Use 'como' (since/as) when the reason comes at the start of the sentence.
4. Te llamo cuando ___ (I'll call you when I arrive)
Time conjunctions like 'cuando' need the subjunctive for future events.
5. Which sentence is correct?
Never use the present subjunctive after 'si'. Use indicative or imperfect subjunctive.
6. Hablo despacio para que ___ (I speak slowly so you understand)
'Para que' (so that) always triggers the subjunctive mood.
7. 'Aunque llueve' vs 'Aunque llueva' - what's the difference?
With 'aunque': indicative = known fact; subjunctive = hypothetical/uncertain.
8. Complete: Espera ___ llegue (Wait until he arrives)
'Hasta que' means 'until'. Note it takes subjunctive for future actions.
Test your knowledge of Spanish subordinating conjunctions:
Going further
More examples of each conjunction, including después de que, con tal de que and a no ser que
More examples
Real-life sentences with each conjunction. The present subjunctive page covers the verb forms.
que: Pienso que es verdad – I think (that) it's true
que + subj.: Espero que vengas – I hope (that) you come
que: Explica que es difícil – She explains (that) it's difficult
que: Prometo que lo haré – I promise (that) I'll do it
que + subj.: Espero que te guste el regalo – I hope you like the gift
que: Dicen que va a nevar – They say it's going to snow
que + subj.: Es importante que llegues a tiempo – It's important that you arrive on time
que: Sé que puedes hacerlo – I know you can do it
porque: Lo hago porque me gusta – I do it because I like it
porque: Llegó tarde porque perdió el tren – He arrived late because he missed the train
porque: No fui porque estaba cansado – I didn't go because I was tired
porque: Lo sé porque me lo dijo – I know because he told me
como: Como no llamaste, me preocupé – Since you didn't call, I worried
como: Como hace frío, lleva abrigo – Since it's cold, wear a coat
aunque: Aunque estoy cansado, voy a ir – Although I'm tired, I'm going to go
aunque: Aunque llueva, iré a la playa – Even if it rains, I'll go to the beach
aunque: Lo compró aunque era caro – She bought it although it was expensive
aunque: Aunque no quieras, tienes que hacerlo – Even if you don't want to, you have to do it
cuando (habit): Cuando tengo tiempo, leo – When I have time, I read
cuando: Te llamo cuando llegue a casa – I'll call you when I get home
mientras: Ella trabaja mientras él cocina – She works while he cooks
mientras: Mientras esperas, toma un café – While you wait, have a coffee
mientras: Escucho música mientras trabajo – I listen to music while I work
hasta que (past): Esperé hasta que llegó – I waited until he arrived
hasta que: No me voy hasta que termines – I'm not leaving until you finish
hasta que: Espérame hasta que vuelva – Wait for me until I return
después de que: Después de que comas, descansa – After you eat, rest
con tal de que: Te ayudo con tal de que me pagues – I'll help you provided you pay me
a no ser que: Vendrá a no ser que esté enfermo – He'll come unless he's ill
para que: Te lo explico para que entiendas – I'm explaining it so you understand
antes de que: Vete antes de que sea tarde – Leave before it's late
a menos que: No iré a menos que me invites – I won't go unless you invite me
sin que: Lo hizo sin que nadie lo supiera – He did it without anyone knowing