Cuando + subjunctiv + imperativ (=future intention?)

Hans d.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Cuando + subjunctiv + imperativ (=future intention?)

Is it correct that when there is a imperativ in a cuando sentence it is about a future intention? The example in the lesson is "cuando vayas al mercado compra fruta y verdura". Because you want to happen it in the future it is vayas and not vas. Is that correct? I had a hard time understanding this, there is only 1 example with the imperativ, and it is not mentioned in the lesson. The rest in with the much more easier simple future.
Asked 6 years ago
Hans d.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
sorry, there are more examples. But an imperativ as a future intention remains strange for me.
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Hans,

What we use after cuando to express a future intention is the Present Subjunctive. All the examples in the lesson that want to express a future intention have the present subjunctive. It may sound strange because it doesn't happen in English. In English in both cases, facts and future intentions with cuando, are expressed in the same way:

"When I go to Italy I will visit Rome."(future intention)

"When I go to Italy I visit Rome."(fact, everytime you go to Italy. It does happen)

We would use "Cuando vaya..." in the first example, but would use "Cuando voy..." in the second.

I hope it helps.

Thanks for your question.

Inma

Hans d.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I just have trouble with the imperativ:

When you go to Italy, visit Rome! (future intention)

I didnt understand from the text that this is a future intention, as it is not a future time.

Hans d. asked:

Cuando + subjunctiv + imperativ (=future intention?)

Is it correct that when there is a imperativ in a cuando sentence it is about a future intention? The example in the lesson is "cuando vayas al mercado compra fruta y verdura". Because you want to happen it in the future it is vayas and not vas. Is that correct? I had a hard time understanding this, there is only 1 example with the imperativ, and it is not mentioned in the lesson. The rest in with the much more easier simple future.

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