Oración subordinada modal

Subordinate clauses of manner

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2022-12-19

See also: Conjunción and Conjunction types

In Spanish, subordinate clauses of manner express how something is done; more precisely, how the action in the main clause is done. These clauses depend on the main clause, so they don't make sense on their own.

Let's see some examples with some common manner connectives:

Lo hicimos según exigían las normas.We did it following the rules.

Envié los documentos al cliente, conforme se acordó en la reunión.I sent the documents to the client, following what was agreed in the meeting.

Se puso a bailar flamenco como si lo hubiera hecho toda su vida.He started to flamenco dance as if he had done it all his life.

Hicieron una protesta pacífica, sin crear enfrentamientos con la policía.They protested peacefully, without creating any confrontation with the police.

Some manner clauses use the indicative and some the subjunctive.

Lessons with more detail on Oración subordinada modal

Using the imperfect subjunctive after the conjunction como si in Spanish (subordinate manner clauses)
Tal como/cual = Just as... (subordinate manner clauses)
Sin/sin que + infinitive/subjuntive in Spanish (subordinate manner clause)
Using the pluperfect subjunctive after the conjunction como si (subordinate manner clauses)
Según / conforme = as / as per / according to in Spanish (subordinate manner clause)
Como / cuando / donde / quien with indicative or subjunctive in Spanish
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