Indicative or Subjunctive in This Case?

Question

I normally speak with my Spanish-speaking friends in Spanish. (I've become quite fluent over the past four years with the exception of the occasional things I don't know how to say.) Anyway I want to tell my friend to tell me the next time they're having a soccer game. Should I say, "Dime cuando TIENEN otro partido," or "Dime cuando TENGAN otro partido?"

Thanks! You all gave me exactly what I needed. - stringsnapper0331, Oct 15, 2013

Answer 1

Another thing to add to Kiwi's explanation to help wrap your mind around it:

If it's habitual AND could still be happening sometime in the future, "cuando" is followed by the indicative:

My friends always tell me when they have a football game.

Mis amigos siempre me dicen cuando tienen un partido de fútbol.

And as she already said, if you are talking about something in the future (which may or may not happen):

Tell me when you (all) have another football game.

Dime cuando tengan otro partido de fútbol.

Another good one that follows the same rule is "en cuanto":

I'll call you as soon as I get home. / I'll call you the moment I get home.

Te llamo en cuanto llegue a casa.

good point, well done Tosh :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 12, 2013

Great add on to kiwis answer. I love it when these Q/As come across and always try to read them. Thanks to all involved. - rogspax, Oct 12, 2013

Answer 2

I'm running out the door so just a quick answer to get you on the right track ...

Whenever 'cuando' is followed by a future or anticipated event, it is followed by the subjunctive. You can't follow it with the indicative since you can't declare the existence etc of something if it hasn't happened yet.

If you don't get any more feedback I'll try to come back and add some more later if you need it.

Answer 3

avísame cuando tengan un partido de fútbol

dime cuando tengan otro partido....

avísame ;) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 11, 2013