como + indicativevscomo + subjunctive
/KOH-moh een-dee-kah-TEE-boh/
/KOH-moh soob-hoon-TEE-boh/
💡 Quick Rule
Indicative states a fact (how it IS). Subjunctive gives a command or possibility (how it SHOULD BE).
Indicative is for Information. Subjunctive is for Suggestion or command.
- In the past tense, 'como si' + past subjunctive means 'as if' (e.g., 'Gasta como si fuera rico' - He spends as if he were rich), which is a different usage pattern.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | como + indicative | como + subjunctive | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giving Instructions | Lo hice como me dijiste. | Hazlo como te diga. | Indicative reports a past fact ('how you told me'). Subjunctive gives a command about a future action ('how I tell you'). |
| Expressing Preference | Lo cocino como le gusta a mi madre. | Cocínalo como te guste. | Indicative states a known fact ('how my mom likes it'). Subjunctive gives open-ended permission ('however you like it'). |
| Referring to a Method | Así es como funciona. | Hazlo como puedas. | Indicative describes a factual process ('how it works'). Subjunctive gives a flexible command ('however you can'). |
✅ When to Use "como + indicative" / como + subjunctive
como + indicative
Used to describe the way something is actually done, or to mean 'since' or 'because'. It states a fact.
/KOH-moh/
Describing a real method or manner
Lo hago como me enseñaste.
I do it the way you taught me.
Meaning 'since' or 'because'
Como no estudiaste, no aprobaste.
Since you didn't study, you didn't pass.
Making a factual comparison
Ella canta como los ángeles.
She sings like the angels.
como + subjunctive
Used to give an instruction, command, or permission about how something should be done, often with flexibility or uncertainty.
/KOH-moh/
Giving a command or instruction
Hazlo como yo te diga.
Do it how I tell you (to do it).
Expressing possibility or 'however you want'
Puedes pintarlo como quieras.
You can paint it however you want.
Setting a future condition
Lo haremos como decida el jefe.
We will do it however the boss decides.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "como + indicative":
Lo monto como dicen las instrucciones.
I'm assembling it how the instructions say.
With "como + subjunctive":
Móntalo como digan las instrucciones.
Assemble it however the instructions say.
The Difference: The indicative ('dicen') is a factual statement about what you are currently doing. The subjunctive ('digan') is part of a command, telling someone else what to do.
With "como + indicative":
Ella siempre hace lo que quiere.
She always does what she wants.
With "como + subjunctive":
Deja que haga lo que quiera.
Let her do whatever she wants.
The Difference: Indicative ('quiere') states a fact about her known behavior. Subjunctive ('quiera') is used when giving permission or expressing a desire for an uncertain or future action.
With "como + indicative":
Todo salió como decidimos.
Everything turned out how we decided.
With "como + subjunctive":
Haremos lo que decidamos mañana.
We'll do whatever we decide tomorrow.
The Difference: Indicative ('decidimos' in the past) reports a completed action. Subjunctive ('decidamos') refers to a future, yet-to-be-made decision.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Split-screen showing indicative for facts vs. subjunctive for commands. Left: a person following a recipe exactly. Right: a person telling another person to cook freely.
Indicative describes HOW something is done. Subjunctive commands HOW something should be done.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Hazlo como te digo.
Hazlo como te diga.
When giving a command ('Hazlo'), the method is also part of the command, making it hypothetical or future-oriented, so it takes the subjunctive. 'Como te digo' would be used to report a fact, e.g., 'Él lo hace como le digo' (He does it how I tell him).
Puedes empezar como quieres.
Puedes empezar como quieras.
Because you're giving someone permission and the choice is open-ended ('however you want'), it requires the subjunctive. The indicative ('quieres') would imply you are stating a known fact about how they want to start.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
Present Subjunctive
Understanding the subjunctive mood is essential for this distinction.
Subjunctive in Adverb Clauses
'Como' introduces an adverbial clause, and this lesson explains the rules for using the subjunctive in them.
Commands (Imperative Mood)
This distinction is most common when giving commands, so understanding the imperative is key.
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Como + Indicative vs Como + Subjunctive
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence means 'Do it however you can'?
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
So if I'm telling someone what to do, I should always use 'como' + subjunctive?
Yes, that's a great rule of thumb. When 'como' is part of a command (e.g., 'Hazlo como...', 'Escríbelo como...'), the following verb will be in the subjunctive because you're not describing a fact, but rather instructing how a future action should be performed.
What about when 'como' means 'since' or 'because'? Does it ever use the subjunctive?
No, when 'como' is used to mean 'since' or 'because', it is stating a reason that is considered a fact, so it always takes the indicative. For example, 'Como llovía, nos quedamos en casa' (Since it was raining, we stayed home).
Is this distinction only for the present tense?
Not at all! The distinction applies to all tenses. For example, in the past: 'Lo hice como me dijiste' (I did it how you told me - indicative fact) vs. 'Me pidió que lo hiciera como él quisiera' (He asked me to do it however he wanted - subjunctive command/desire).