"While": mientras + Indicative
To say that two actions are happening at the same time, use mientras (while). When describing ongoing, simultaneous actions, the verb that follows mientras takes the Indicative mood (the normal present tense).
| I wash the peach under the tap while you prepare the dough. | Lavo el melocotón debajo del grifo mientras tú preparas la masa. |
| He eats peanuts while she grates the cheese. | Él come cacahuetes mientras ella ralla el queso. |
"As long as": mientras + Subjunctive
You can also use mientras to set a boundary or condition for the future, meaning "as long as". Because this condition describes a pending future situation, the verb immediately following mientras must be in the Present Subjunctive.
The main action is usually expressed using a future tense, a command, or a conditional phrase.
| I will bake the bread while you clean the sink with the sponge. | Hornearé el pan mientras limpies el fregadero con la esponja. |
| We will make the salad while you drain the beans. | Haremos la ensalada mientras escurras las judías. |
| We will not have water as long as that tap over there is broken. | No tendremos agua mientras aquel grifo esté roto. |
Word order
The mientras clause can appear at the beginning or end of the sentence. If you start with mientras, simply put a comma before the main clause. This rule applies whether you mean "while" or "as long as".
| While they bake the cake, I leave the sponge in the sink. | Mientras ellos hornean la tarta, dejo la esponja en el fregadero. |
| As long as you are my boss, I will do my job. | Mientras seas mi jefa, haré mi trabajo. |
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