Cuando + El Presente de Subjuntivo vs Cuando + El Presente de Indicativo

2020-04-02

Cuando (When) is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood, to express an intention to make it happen in the future.

Read and listen to these examples:

Cuando sea mayor, seré médico.When I am older, I will be a doctor.

Cuando vayas al mercado compra fruta y verdura.When you go to the market, buy fruit and vegetables.

Cuando estemos de vacaciones no usaré el móvil.When we are on holidays I won't use the mobile phone.

Cuando os tumbéis en la playa poneos la crema solar.When you lie down on the beach put some suncream on.

Cuando comáis esta noche recoged los platos.When you eat tonight, put the dishes away.

Cuando tus hermanos lleguen será muy tarde.When your brothers arrive it will be very late.

Note: Cuando can be followed by either the indicative or subjunctive. El Presente de Indicativo expresses that something actually happens.

See these two similar examples, one with indicative and one with subjunctive:

In this sentence the going on holidays to Tenerife really happens.

Cuando voy de vacaciones a Tenerife me hospedo en el hotel Olimpia.When I go on holiday to Tenerife I stay at the hotel Olimpia.

In this next sentence the going on holidays to Tenerife has not happened. It is a future idea. Notice that the future tense follows the subjunctive here.

Cuando vaya de vacaciones a Tenerife me hospedaré en el hotel Olimpia.When I [will] go on holiday to Tenerife I will stay at the hotel Olimpia.

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