B1 Spanish GrammarAdvanced Subordinate Clauses
Master complex Spanish subordinate clauses: conditional sentences (si clauses), reported speech, purpose and result clauses, and concessive clauses. Build sophisticated sentence structures.
1Conditional Sentences (Si Clauses)
Spanish has three main conditional patterns. Type 1: si + present, future (real possibility). Type 2: si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional (unlikely/hypothetical). Type 3: si + pluperfect subjunctive, conditional perfect (past contrary to fact).
Conditional Types
| Type | Si Clause | Main Clause | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (real) | si + present | future/present/imperative | possible |
| 2 (unreal present) | si + impf. subj. | conditional | hypothetical now |
| 3 (unreal past) | si + plupf. subj. | cond. perfect | contrary to past |
| mixed | si + plupf. subj. | conditional | past cause, present result |
Examples
Si tengo tiempo, te llamo.
If I have time, I'll call you.
Type 1 - real possibility
Si tuviera dinero, viajarÃa más.
If I had money, I would travel more.
Type 2 - hypothetical
Si hubiera estudiado, habrÃa aprobado.
If I had studied, I would have passed.
Type 3 - contrary to past
Si no hubiera llovido, estarÃamos en la playa.
If it hadn't rained, we'd be at the beach.
mixed conditional
2Reported Speech
Reported speech shifts tenses backward. Present → imperfect, preterite/perfect → pluperfect, future → conditional. Pronouns and time expressions also change. Que introduces the reported clause.
Tense Shifts
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| present: 'Estoy cansado' | imperfect: Dijo que estaba cansado |
| preterite: 'Fui al cine' | pluperfect: Dijo que habÃa ido |
| future: 'Vendré mañana' | conditional: Dijo que vendrÃa |
| imperative: 'Ven aquÃ' | subjunctive: Me dijo que viniera |
Examples
Juan: 'Estoy enfermo'. → Juan dijo que estaba enfermo.
Juan said he was sick.
present → imperfect
MarÃa: 'Iré mañana'. → MarÃa dijo que irÃa al dÃa siguiente.
MarÃa said she would go the next day.
future → conditional
Me preguntó si querÃa ir.
He asked me if I wanted to go.
si for yes/no questions
Me pidió que lo ayudara.
He asked me to help him.
commands → subjunctive
3Purpose and Result Clauses
Purpose clauses use para que + subjunctive (different subjects) or para + infinitive (same subject). Result clauses use tan...que, tanto...que, de manera que. Result with indicative states fact; with subjunctive states goal.
Purpose and Result
| Structure | Meaning | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| para + infinitive | in order to (same subj) | n/a |
| para que + subj | so that (diff subj) | subjunctive |
| tan + adj + que | so...that (result) | indicative |
| tanto que | so much that | indicative |
| de manera que | so that / in such a way that | ind. or subj. |
Examples
Estudio para aprender.
I study in order to learn.
para + infinitive (same subject)
Te lo explico para que entiendas.
I explain it so you understand.
para que + subjunctive
Estaba tan cansado que se durmió.
He was so tired that he fell asleep.
tan...que result
Trabaja tanto que nunca descansa.
She works so much that she never rests.
tanto...que result
4Concessive Clauses
Concessive clauses express 'although' or 'even if'. Aunque takes indicative for facts, subjunctive for hypotheticals. Alternatives: a pesar de que, por más que, por mucho que + subjunctive.
Concessive Expressions
| Spanish | English | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| aunque + indic | although (fact) | indicative |
| aunque + subj | even if (hypothetical) | subjunctive |
| a pesar de que | despite the fact that | ind. or subj. |
| por más que | no matter how much | subjunctive |
| por mucho que | however much | subjunctive |
Examples
Aunque está lloviendo, voy a salir.
Although it's raining, I'm going out.
indicative - fact
Aunque llueva, iré.
Even if it rains, I'll go.
subjunctive - hypothetical
Por más que lo intento, no puedo.
No matter how much I try, I can't.
por más que + subjunctive
A pesar de que era difÃcil, lo terminé.
Despite it being difficult, I finished it.
a pesar de que - fact