Spanish Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect two grammatically equal parts, neither depending on the other:

• Quiero café y té. → I want coffee and tea.
• No es caro pero es bueno. → It is not expensive but it is good.

The core categories are addition (y, ni), choice (o), contrast (pero, sino) and consequence (así que).

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause that relies on the main clause, and these are the ones that can trigger the subjunctive:

• No salgo porque llueve. → I am not going out because it is raining.
• Te llamo cuando llegue. → I will call you when I arrive.

They group by the relationship they express: cause (porque, ya que, como), consequence (por lo tanto, de modo que), condition (si, a menos que), concession (aunque, a pesar de que), purpose (para que) and time (cuando, antes de que, hasta que, mientras).

Confusing Pairs

sino vs si no. Sino (one word) means "but rather" and corrects a negative statement (No es azul sino verde). Si no (two words) means "if not" (Llámame si no puedes venir).

porque vs por qué vs porqué. Porque (one word, no accent) means "because" and gives an explanation (No voy porque estoy cansado). Por qué (two words, with accent) means "why" and asks a question (¿Por qué no vienes?). Porqué (one word, with accent) is a noun meaning "the reason" (No entiendo el porqué). A helpful rule of thumb: two words with an accent ask the question, one word without an accent gives the answer.

Conjunctions and the Subjunctive

Subordinating conjunctions decide whether you use the indicative or the subjunctive.

Conjunctions of purpose, restriction or strict condition always take the subjunctive: para que, antes de que, a menos que, con tal de que, en caso de que and sin que.

Conjunctions of time and concession take the indicative for confirmed facts and habits, but switch to the subjunctive for the unrealised future. Cuando llego, como (When I get home, I eat, a routine) uses the indicative, while Cuando llegue, como (When I arrive in the future, I will eat) uses the subjunctive.