Cuando + subj. or cuando + indicative ??

Question

¿Cuando se puede usar el subjuntivo con la palabra cuando?

I know you can use it with indicative for sure things that happened.

Cuando era niña - when I was young

Cuando Gabi llegue todo el mundo le miró.- when Gabi got here everyone looked at her.

These are definite things that happened.

So if you want to use the subjunctive with "cuando" it has to be a ficticious event that may or may not happen.

Is this correct?

Cuando pases los examenes vas a....

As you are not sure when the person will pass their exams or if they'll pass them at all you use subj.?

Answer 1

¿Cuando se puede usar el subjuntivo con la palabra cuando?

When you can't declare whether something has happened.

Cuando era niña - when I was young

You were a daughter, you declare it. Indicative.

Cuando Gabi llegó todo el mundo le miró.- when Gabi got here everyone looked at her.

Gabi came. Indicative.

Cuando pases los examenes vas a....

You haven't passed any exam, so you can't declare it. Subjunctive.

Answer 2

adverbial clauses

The following adverbial conjunctions deal with time, and are followed by the subjunctive when they introduce an anticipated situation. If they introduce **one which is viewed as completed or habitual, they are followed by the indicative. Of course, if there is no change of subject involved and a preposition is available, typically the preposition is used with an infinitive.

Cuando=al (preposition)

Por lo general lo hago cuando nos levantamos.

I usually do it when we get up. [Indicative]

Lo haré cuando nos levantemos.

I'll do it when we get up. [Subjunctive]