Subordinate clauses of manner: según y como

What changes: indicative vs. subjunctive after según and como

Both connectors mean “according to / depending on” (según) or “as / the way” (como).

The key is the speaker’s certainty about the information or the manner.

A fast decision tool (self-check)

1. Ask yourself: am I referring to something already known, or something that will be known later?

2. If it’s known / confirmed → use indicative.

   según dices / como dices = “as you say (and I’m treating it as a fact).”

3. If it’s pending / uncertain / not decided → use subjunctive.

   según digas / como digas = “depending on what you say / however you say (we’ll see).”

How it sounds in real life (contrast pairs)

• Según + indicative (confirmed input):

  Lo haré según dices. = I’ll do it according to what you (are) saying (I accept it as reliable).

• Según + subjunctive (unconfirmed input):

  Lo haré según digas. = I’ll do it depending on what you say (you haven’t told me yet / it’s not settled).

• Como + indicative (known method):

  Lo hago como dices. = I do it the way you say (you’ve already specified the method).

• Como + subjunctive (method left open):

  Lo hago como digas. = I’ll do it however you want (you decide the method).

What usually triggers the subjunctive here

• Future-dependent instructions:

  Entrad al agua según indique la bandera. (the flag’s status is the deciding factor at that moment)

• “Whatever / however” meaning (the speaker gives control to the other person):

  Hazlo como te parezca. = Do it however you see fit.

• Decision not made yet:

  Elegiremos como nos recomiende el instructor. = We’ll choose depending on what the instructor recommends.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using indicative when the information hasn’t been given yet:

  Entra al agua según te lo dice el monitor.

  Entra al agua según te lo diga el monitor.

• Using subjunctive when you are reporting a confirmed past instruction:

  Lo hice como me explicara el instructor ayer.

  Lo hice como me explicó el instructor ayer.

• Mixing up the meaning:

  según focuses on the information/source (“according to…”).

  como focuses on the manner/way (“the way…”).

Mini checklist before you answer (30 seconds)

• Am I basing this on a confirmed fact? → indicative

• Is it an instruction dependent on something pending? → subjunctive

• Am I talking about a known method (already explained / habitual)? → como + indicative

• Am I leaving the method open (“however you want”)? → como + subjunctive