Conjunctions (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
Conjunctions
(Las conjunciones)
Conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses together in Spanish. They help create well-structured, coherent sentences and are particularly important in essay writing and speaking tasks, where they demonstrate your ability to link ideas smoothly and express complex thoughts.
Overview
Conjunctions serve as bridges between different parts of a sentence. They allow you to:
- Join two equal elements (coordinating conjunctions)
- Introduce dependent clauses that add extra information (subordinating conjunctions)
- Express relationships such as cause, purpose, time, condition, and concession
Many subordinating conjunctions require the subjunctive mood, making them a key exam focus. Understanding which conjunctions trigger the subjunctive is essential for success in Spanish language exams.
1. Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions join elements of the same grammatical weight. This means they can connect two nouns, two verbs, or two main clauses.
Common coordinating conjunctions
| Conjunction | Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| y | and | Estudia y trabaja. | He/she studies and works. |
| e | and (before i / hi) | Padres e hijos | Parents and children |
| o | or | Café o té | Coffee or tea |
| u | or (before o / ho) | Siete u ocho | Seven or eight |
| pero | but | Quería venir, pero no pudo. | He/she wanted to come, but couldn't. |
| ni | nor | No llamó ni escribió. | He/she neither called nor wrote. |
Phonetic Changes: E and U
The conjunctions e and u are phonetic changes, not different words with different meanings:
- Use e instead of y when the following word begins with i or hi
- Use u instead of o when the following word begins with o or ho
This change makes pronunciation smoother and more natural in Spanish.
2. Subordinating conjunctions by function
Subordinating conjunctions introduce a dependent clause that cannot stand alone. They are organised here by the function they express, and many require the subjunctive mood.
A. Cause
Use these conjunctions to explain why something happens.
| Conjunction | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| porque | No vino porque estaba enfermo. | He didn't come because he was ill. |
| como (at the start of a sentence) | Como no había tiempo, nos fuimos. | As there was no time, we left. |
When porque gives a real, factual reason, it does not trigger the subjunctive. This is because you're stating something that actually happened or is certain, not something hypothetical or uncertain.
B. Purpose
Purpose conjunctions express the intention or goal behind an action. They always require the subjunctive.
| Conjunction | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| para que | Estudia para que tenga éxito. | He/she studies so that he/she succeeds. |
| a fin de que | Salió temprano a fin de que llegara a tiempo. | He/she left early so that he/she would arrive on time. |
Purpose Conjunctions ALWAYS Use Subjunctive
Unlike some other conjunctions where mood depends on context, purpose conjunctions always trigger the subjunctive without exception. When you see para que or a fin de que, you must use subjunctive.
C. Time
Time conjunctions indicate when something happens. Use the subjunctive when the action is not yet completed or refers to future time.
| Conjunction | Use | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| cuando | future / unknown time | Cuando llegues, llámame. | When you arrive, call me. |
| antes de que | always (action hasn't happened yet) | Antes de que salgas… | Before you leave… |
| después de que | future / unknown time | Después de que termine… | After he/she finishes… |
The Future Time Rule
Use the subjunctive when the action is pending or will happen in the future. If you're talking about something that regularly happens or has already happened, use the indicative instead.
- Future/pending: Cuando llegues, llámame. (subjunctive)
- Past/habitual: Cuando llegó, me llamó. (indicative)
D. Condition / supposition
These conjunctions express conditions or suppositions. Some require the subjunctive.
| Conjunction | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| si | Si llueve, no salimos. | If it rains, we won't go out. |
| a no ser que | Iremos, a no ser que llueva. | We'll go, unless it rains. |
| con tal que | Te ayudo con tal que estudies. | I'll help you provided that you study. |
A no ser que and con tal que require the subjunctive because they express hypothetical conditions or provisions that may or may not happen.
E. Concession
Concession conjunctions acknowledge a contrast or difficulty that doesn't prevent the main action.
| Conjunction | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| aunque | Aunque es difícil, lo intentará. | Although it's difficult, he/she will try it. |
| por muy / mucho que (+ adjective/adverb) | Por muy cansado que esté… | However tired he may be… |
Key Point About Aunque
The conjunction aunque can take either indicative or subjunctive depending on what you're expressing:
- Use indicative when stating a fact: Aunque es difícil, lo hago. (Although it is difficult, I do it.)
- Use subjunctive when expressing uncertainty or opinion: Aunque sea difícil, lo haré. (Even if it's difficult, I'll do it.)
3. Que introducing a clause
The word que can introduce a clause after certain expressions. This usage is idiomatic and does not translate directly into English.
Que is used after:
- Expressions of emotion or reaction
- Warnings
- Commands
- Explanations
Examples with Translations and Explanations
-
¡Cuidado, que te vas a caer! – Careful, you're going to fall!
(Warning - que introduces the reason for caution.) -
Es verdad que no vino. – It's true (that) he didn't come.
(Explanation - que introduces the fact.) -
Dijo que estaba cansado. – He said (that) he was tired.
(Reported speech - que introduces what was said.)
Exam Note
This structure appears frequently in spoken Spanish and listening tasks. Listen for que after expressions and commands. English speakers often omit "that," but Spanish requires que in these contexts.
4. Conjunctions and the subjunctive
Several conjunctions consistently trigger the subjunctive mood. These include conjunctions expressing:
- Purpose: para que, a fin de que
- Doubt or uncertainty: sin que, antes de que
- Condition: a no ser que, con tal que
- Concession (when hypothetical): aunque + subjunctive
Examples in Context
-
Estudia para que apruebe el examen. – He/she studies so that he/she passes the exam.
(Purpose + subjunctive: apruebe) -
Iremos a no ser que llueva. – We'll go unless it rains.
(Condition + subjunctive: llueva) -
Aunque sea difícil, lo intentaré. – Even if it's difficult, I'll try it.
(Hypothetical concession + subjunctive: sea)
Common mistakes and tips
Mistakes to avoid
Mistake 1: Forgetting Phonetic Changes
Forgetting to change y → e or o → u when needed.
- ❌ Padre y hijo
- ✅ Padre e hijo
Remember: use e before i/hi sounds and u before o/ho sounds.
Mistake 2: Wrong Mood After Trigger Conjunctions
Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive after trigger conjunctions.
- ❌ Para que tiene éxito
- ✅ Para que tenga éxito
Always check if your conjunction requires subjunctive!
Mistake 3: Word-for-Word Translation
Translating conjunctions word-for-word from English.
English often uses "that" less frequently than Spanish uses que.
- English: "He said he was tired"
- Spanish: Dijo que estaba cansado (don't omit que)
Mistake 4: Omitting Que
Omitting que where Spanish requires it.
- ❌ Dijo estaba cansado
- ✅ Dijo que estaba cansado
Spanish requires que in many contexts where English omits "that."
Tips for success
Tip 1: Vary Your Conjunctions
Vary your conjunctions to avoid repetition. Instead of using pero repeatedly, try aunque, sin embargo, or restructure with a pesar de que. This demonstrates sophisticated language use.
Tip 2: Range Equals Higher Marks
Using a range of conjunctions improves coherence and demonstrates higher-level language skills, which improves exam marks. Examiners specifically look for variety in your connecting words.
Tip 3: Create Automatic Associations
When you see conjunctions like para que, antes de que, a no ser que, automatically think "subjunctive". Building these mental associations helps you use the correct mood instinctively.
Tip 4: Natural Spanish
Natural use of que makes your Spanish sound more native-like, especially in spoken tasks. Don't be tempted to omit it just because English would!
Practice
Exercise A: Choose the Correct Conjunction
- Estudia ___ trabaja por la noche. (She studies ___ works at night.)
- Iremos mañana, ___ llueva. (We'll go tomorrow, ___ it rains.)
- ¡Ten cuidado, ___ es peligroso! (Be careful, ___ it's dangerous!)
Answers:
- y (and) – Estudia y trabaja por la noche. (She studies and works at night.)
- a no ser que (unless) – Iremos mañana, a no ser que llueva. (We'll go tomorrow, unless it rains.)
- que (idiomatic que after warning) – ¡Ten cuidado, que es peligroso! (Be careful, it's dangerous!)
Exercise B: Complete with the Correct Verb Form
- Te llamaré cuando ___ (llegar). – I'll call you when ___ (arrive).
- Salió temprano para que ___ (poder) descansar. – He/she left early so that he/she ___ (could) rest.
Answers:
-
llegues (subjunctive) – Te llamaré cuando llegues. (I'll call you when you arrive.)
The action hasn't happened yet, so use subjunctive. -
pudiera / pueda (subjunctive) – Salió temprano para que pudiera descansar. (He/she left early so that he/she could rest.)
Purpose requires subjunctive; tense depends on context.
Exam tips
Maximizing Your Exam Performance
- Use a wide range of conjunctions in essays and speaking tasks to demonstrate variety and improve coherence
- Conjunctions are one of the most reliable ways to trigger the subjunctive correctly in your writing and speaking
- Accurate use of que makes your Spanish sound more natural and native-like
- Vary your connectors to avoid repetition (for example, use aunque, sin embargo, or no obstante instead of repeating pero)
- Examiners specifically look for sophisticated use of conjunctions as evidence of higher-level language proficiency
Remember!
-
Coordinating conjunctions (y/e, o/u, pero, ni) join equal elements and don't require the subjunctive
-
E and u are phonetic changes: use e before i/hi sounds and u before o/ho sounds
-
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses; many require the subjunctive
-
Conjunctions expressing purpose (para que, a fin de que) always require the subjunctive
-
Aunque uses indicative for facts and subjunctive for hypothetical situations
-
Don't omit que when Spanish requires it – it's essential for natural-sounding Spanish
-
Vary your conjunctions in exams to improve coherence and demonstrate higher-level language skills