How to say "whatever + verb" (Subjunctive)
I notice that the phrase "whatever + verb" is structured in Spanish as "Lo que + Subjunctive". However, all of these sentences are constructed in the subjunctive and future tense, which means these actions have not happened yet. They are also used for uncertainty -- "Lo que sea, no lo toques" = "Whatever it is, don't touch it"
For example:
Lo que quiera, voy a conseguir: Whatever I want (in the future), I'm going to get.
(Pase) lo que pase, estaré por tu lado por siempre: Whatever happens(in the future), I will be by your side forever.
No me importa lo que digas: I don't care about whatever you say(in the future).
Lo que venga/llegue después de la muerte, nos daremos cuenta bastante pronto: Whatever comes after death, we will know soon enough.
Lo que haga usted, ¡no utilice esa puerta!: Whatever you do, don't use that door!
Just thought I'd share this with the community. Please ask any questions concerning this topic.
1 Answer
Just to add a little more to this.
This is an adjectival clause. This link is a good explanation, from which I will quote only a tiny part:
http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/subjadj.htm
The rule: In Spanish, the subjunctive is used in an adjectival clause when the antecedent is indefinite or unknown or is nonexistent or negated; in contrast, the indicative is used when the antecedent is a definite or existing one.
To look at your first example.
Lo que quiera, voy a conseguir: Whatever I want, I'm going to get.
The use of subjunctive indicates that the antecedent is indefinite (I haven’t yet firmed down what that will be, what I want)- hence whatever.
Lo que quiero, voy a conseguir. That which I want, I’m going to get.
This (the use of the indicative) implies that I know exactly what I want, and I am going to get it.
At least this is my understanding as an intermediate level learner.
