When negotiating a contract or setting boundaries for a freelance gig, you often need to state firm requirements using phrases like "as long as" or "provided that."
In Spanish, you can use these three common strict conditional phrases:
- siempre y cuando
- con tal de que
- siempre que
Because these phrases set up a strict condition that must be met for the main action to happen, they trigger the subjunctive.
| I accept the project as long as we modify the fee. | Acepto el proyecto siempre y cuando modifiquemos la tarifa. |
| The rate is fine provided that you pay an advance. | La tarifa está bien con tal de que pagues un anticipo. |
Notice how the verbs immediately following the conditions—modifiquemos (we modify) and pagues (you pay)—are in the present subjunctive.
| I do the work provided that the payment is in advance. | Hago el trabajo siempre que el pago sea adelantado. |
| You can modify the design provided that it is a quick revision. | Puedes modificar el diseño con tal de que sea una revisión rápida. |
You can use these phrases interchangeably to lay down your terms, whether you are asking for an advance payment (un anticipo), negotiating a fee (la tarifa), or requiring a remote position.
| We accept the contract as long as the position is remote. | Aceptamos el contrato siempre y cuando el puesto sea remoto. |
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