While I drink my coffeeBefore you practise: rules and examples
These topics cover this set, including review questions. Open the guide and refer to it while answering.
The subjunctive after a request or proposal
Querer / pedir / necesitar / proponer que and es importante / posible que introduce a desired action, judgement or possibility. They normally take the subjunctive: start from present yo without -o, then -ar → -e-, -er / -ir → -a-. Person endings: -e, -es, -e, -emos, -éis, -en or -a, -as, -a, -amos, -áis, -an. Irregular forms include sea, vaya, esté, haya, dé, sepa. Sin que also takes the subjunctive.
Espero que tengas tiempo. Podemos hablar sin que nadie nos interrumpa.I hope you have time. We can talk without anyone interrupting us.
Antes de + infinitive
Antes de + infinitive means before doing something with the same subject. Do not use a conjugated verb after de. A separate subordinate clause uses antes de que + subjunctive.
Antes de salir, cierro las ventanas.Before going out, I close the windows.
Verb + preposition + infinitive
Learn the whole pattern: empezar a — start; volver a — do again; acabar de — have just done; tener ganas de — feel like doing. Conjugate the first verb and keep the second action as an infinitive.
Empiezo a entender. Vuelvo a intentarlo. Acabo de llegar. Tengo ganas de descansar.I am starting to understand. I try again. I have just arrived. I feel like resting.
Si: a real condition
In a real condition use present indicative after si. The result can use present, future or a command. This pattern expresses a real possibility, not a hypothetical “if … were”.
Si hace buen tiempo, iremos al parque.If the weather is good, we will go to the park.
The conditional: advice and polite questions
Add -ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían to the infinitive. This softens advice, requests or questions. Common irregular stems: podr-, tendr-, vendr-, har-, dir-.
Yo probaría otra opción. ¿Podrías esperar un momento?I would try another option. Could you wait a moment?
Por and para
Para can express purpose, recipient, deadline or destination. Por can express reason, route, exchange or thanks for something. Choose by meaning rather than translating the English word for.
Estudio para viajar. Lo hago por curiosidad. Gracias por venir.I study to travel. I do it out of curiosity. Thanks for coming.
1. Necesito que ___ el plazo.
2. Antes de ___ el cálculo, lee las pruebas.
3. ¿A qué te ___ con «pronto»?
4. Karina tiene ganas ___ hablar.
5. Si queremos mejorar, ___ que entender el contexto.
6. ¿Qué te ___ bien para empezar?
Review from Nº5These items appeared in the previous issue. See what has changed since then.
7. Este regalo es ___ ti.
8. Gracias ___ tu ayuda.