Cuando with subjunctive for future events and indicative for habits

The idea

Use cuando llegues for a future arrival that has not happened and cuando estudio for a habitual action.

Examples

• Cuando llegues, te llamaré.When you arrive, I will call you.
• Cuando termine la reunión, saldremos.When the meeting ends, we will leave.
• Cuando abre la tienda, compro pan.When the shop opens, I buy bread.
• Cuando abra la tienda, compraré pan.When the shop opens, I will buy bread.
• Cuando tengamos tiempo, revisaremos el plan.When we have time, we will review the plan.
• Cuando estudio, escucho música.When I study, I listen to music.

Watch out

Cuando in these time clauses has no written accent; the question word cuándo has one.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the present subjunctive for the pending arrival. Cuando el tren ___ mañana, te llamaré. (llegue / llega)

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   llegue

   Llegue is present subjunctive for the pending train arrival.

2. Choose the present indicative for the habitual action. Cuando ___, escucho música. (estudio / estudie)

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   estudio

   Estudio is present indicative for a habitual action.

3. Choose the present subjunctive for nosotros. Cuando nosotros ___ tiempo, revisaremos el plan. (tengamos / tenga)

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   tengamos

   Tengamos is present subjunctive for nosotros.

Use it today

Choose the requested subjunctive or indicative form and match it to the subject.