The Spanish como, cuando, donde and quien form subordinate clauses which could be using the indicative or the subjunctive.
Learn about como, cuando, donde and quien in Spanish
The most common way to express how/however, when/whenever, where/wherever and who/whoever is by using clauses with como, cuando, donde and quien respectively. They can be used with the indicative and the subjunctive.
Using indicative tenses after como, cuando, donde and quien means that we are talking about known or specific situations. On the other hand, when it is used with the subjunctive, we are referring to something unknown or non-specific.
Como with indicativo/subjuntivo
Let's see some examples:
Puedes hacer el viaje como tú quieres.You can do the trip the way/however you want. [We already know he/she want to do the trip in a certain way]
Puedes hacer el viaje como tú quieras , en autobús o en tren.You can do the trip however you want, by bus or by train.
Cuando with indicativo/subjuntivo
Let's see some examples:
Hablaré con ella cuando llegue a casa.I will speak to her whenever she arrives home. [We don't know when she will arrive]
Donde with indicativo/subjuntivo
Let's see some examples:
Sentaos donde hay sillas libres.Take a seat where there are free seats. [Known, we know where the free seats are]
Sentaos donde haya sillas libres.Take a seat wherever there are free seats. [Wherever that might be, we don't know]
Quien with indicativo/subjuntivo
Here are some examples:
Ofreció el sofá a quien lo necesitaba.He offered the sofa to [someone] who needed it. [Known person]
Ofreció el sofá a quien lo pudiera necesitar.He offered the sofa to whoever might need it. [Unknown person]
There are some common idiomatic set phrases using como + subjunctive:
See also:
- Cuando + indicative for past events in Spanish (subordinate time clauses)
- Spanish relative clauses with the indicative and the subjunctive (subordinate relative clauses)
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
