para que, antes de que, sin que, a menos que, con tal de que
Five connectors that always take the subjunctive, and when to use the infinitive instead.
Part of the free B2 Spanish course. Press the speaker next to an example to hear it.
Some connectors introduce events that are not real facts yet: a purpose, something still to come, something that doesn't happen, a condition. These connectors are always followed by the subjunctive when a conjugated verb follows.
| Connector | Meaning | Same subject: use |
|---|---|---|
| para que | so that, in order that | para + infinitive |
| antes de que | before | antes de + infinitive |
| sin que | without (someone doing something) | sin + infinitive |
| a menos que | unless | (no infinitive form) |
| con tal de que | as long as, provided that | con tal de + infinitive |
Purpose: para que
- Te lo explico otra vez para que lo entiendas bien.I'll explain it again so that you understand it properly.
- Hablad bajo para que no se despierte el bebé.Speak quietly so the baby doesn't wake up.
Before: antes de que
Antes de que always takes the subjunctive, even about the past, because at that moment the event hadn't happened yet. (This is different from cuando, which takes the indicative for past facts: Cuando + subjunctive for the future. Después de que also takes the indicative for past facts, though the subjunctive is common there too, especially in writing.)
- Quiero terminar esto antes de que llegue el jefe.I want to finish this before the boss arrives.
Without: sin que
- Salió de la reunión sin que nadie se diera cuenta.She left the meeting without anyone noticing.
Conditions: a menos que, con tal de que
A menos que = unless. Con tal de que = as long as, provided that. (More conditional connectors, such as a no ser que, siempre que, en caso de que, come in Conditions beyond si: siempre que, en caso de que, a no ser que, de no ser por.)
- No firmaremos a menos que cambien esa cláusula.We won't sign unless they change that clause.
- Te presto el coche con tal de que me lo devuelvas mañana.I'll lend you the car as long as you give it back tomorrow.
Same subject: use the infinitive
If the subject of both verbs is the same person, drop que and use the infinitive.
- Estudio para aprobar, no para impresionar a nadie.I study to pass, not to impress anyone.
- Me llamó antes de salir de casa.He called me before leaving home.
Compare Me llamó antes de salir (he called before he left) with Me llamó antes de que saliera (he called before I or someone else left).
In the past
After a past main verb, use the imperfect subjunctive (Which subjunctive? Sequence of tenses).
- Lo organizamos todo para que la fiesta fuera una sorpresa.We organised everything so the party would be a surprise.
Latin America
The connectors are the same. A menos que and a no ser que are common everywhere; in some countries con tal que (without de) is also used.
Common mistakes
para que puedes entrar: these connectors never take the indicative: para que puedas.Voy al gimnasio para que me ponga en forma: same subject, so use the infinitive: para ponerme en forma.antes que salir: before an infinitive say antes de: antes de salir.Se fue sin que decir adiós: sin que needs a conjugated verb with another subject; for the same subject use sin decir adiós.
Practice
- He dejado una copia de las llaves en recepción para que _____ entrar.Options: puedas · puedes · podrás · poder
Show the answer
puedas — Para que + subjunctive, with a different subject (tú).
- Tenemos que salir antes de que _____ (empezar) a llover.
Show the answer
empiece — Empezar has e → ie and a spelling change z → c before e: empiece.
- Voy al gimnasio _____ ponerme en forma.Options: para · para que · sin que · antes de que
Show the answer
para — Same subject → para + infinitive.
- El ladrón entró en la casa sin que los perros _____ (ladrar).
Show the answer
ladraran — Sin que + subjunctive; a past event → imperfect subjunctive.