Indicative or Subjentive. It seems tak in the subordinate time clause we use subjuntivo and in the manner clause indicativo, is it correct?

Emanuel B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Indicative or Subjentive. It seems tak in the subordinate time clause we use subjuntivo and in the manner clause indicativo, is it correct?

I could not find any explanation regarding the modes. thank you

Asked 4 years ago
InmaKwiziq team member

Hola Emanuel

Whichever the function of these conjunctions, in time clauses or manner clauses they can use the indicative and the subjunctive, depending on what the sentence conveys.

As time clauses, you will use a tense in the indicative for habitual actions or past actions that took place. But will use the subjunctive if it is referring to an action taking place in the future (it follows the same rule as "cuando"). For example, if I take this sentence from the lesson:

A medida que/según/conforme pasa el tiempo, Luis se anima un poco más.

As time goes by, Luis gets more cheerful. 

A medida que/según/conforme pasaba el tiempo, Luis se animaba un poco más.

As time went by, Luis got more cheerful. 

BUT

A medida que/según/conforme pase el tiempo, Luis se animará un poco más.

As time goes by [in the future], Luis will get more cheerful.

 

See now an example with manner clauses:

Lo hacemos según/conforme exigen las normas.

We do it following the rules (the rules now- habitual action: indicative)

Lo hicimos según/conforme exigían las normas.

We did it following the rules. (the rules then-past action: indicative)

BUT

Lo vamos a hacer según/conforme exigen las normas. (indicative to indicate that this information is known, i.e. you know what the rules are)

or

Lo vamos a hacer según/conforme exijan las normas. (subjunctive to indicate that this information is unknown, i.e. you don't know exactly what the rules are)

As you can see, when expressing a future intention, we can use indicative or subjunctive, the first for something known and the latter for what is considered unknown information. I can't think of any sentence for habitual or past actions followed by según/conforme introducing a manner clause that takes the subjunctive. I guess it is with future actions that there is room for the "unknown" element. 

I hope this clarified your doubt.

Saludos

Inma

Indicative or Subjentive. It seems tak in the subordinate time clause we use subjuntivo and in the manner clause indicativo, is it correct?

I could not find any explanation regarding the modes. thank you

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