With clauses introduced by a verb in the conditional in Spanish + que we generally need a subordinate clause using El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo. These sentences express different things depending of the type of verb. The most common contexts are:
Expressing a wish
Me gustaría que fueras amable con mis padres esta noche.I'd like you to be nice to my parents tonight. [you = tú]
Giving advice
-Mi bloque está muy sucio -Yo pediría a los vecinos que aumentáramos la cuota de la comunidad.-My apartment building is very dirty. -I'd ask the neighbors to increase the property maintanance fee.
-Mis padres quieren divorciarse. -Pues yo les sugeriría que fueran a terapia.-My parents want to divorce. - I would suggest that they go to counselling.
Os recomendaría que no os sentaseis en la terraza. Hace bastante frío.I'd recommend that you don't sit in the outdoor area. It's fairly chilly. [you = vosotros]
Feelings
All the examples above express a hypothetical idea set in the future. Bear in mind that, although the standard sequence of tenses used is:
El condicional + que + El Pretérito Imperfecto Subjuntivo
sometimes the subordinate clause uses El Presente de Subjuntivo; in this case the speaker expresses an action to be fullfilled in a closer future. For example:
future -
suggests a closer future -
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Examples and resources
Te diría que tuvieras cuidado con ese chico.I'd be careful with that guy. [lit: I would say that you be careful with that guy)
No me sorprendería que lo echaran del trabajo. Es muy flojo.I wouldn't be surprised if he was fired. He's very lazy.
No me sorprendería que lo echen del trabajo. Es muy flojo.I wouldn't be surprised if they fire him. He's very lazy.
-Mis padres quieren divorciarse. -Pues yo les sugeriría que fueran a terapia.-My parents want to divorce. - I would suggest that they go to counselling.
-Mi bloque está muy sucio -Yo pediría a los vecinos que aumentáramos la cuota de la comunidad.-My apartment building is very dirty. -I'd ask the neighbors to increase the property maintanance fee.
Sinceramente, a nosotros nos entristecería que Carla volviera a su país.Honestly, we would be sad if Carla returned to her country.
Ella querría que le renovasen su contrato pero no va a ser posible.She would like to have her contract renewed but it won't be possible.
Me gustaría que fueras amable con mis padres esta noche.I'd like you to be nice to my parents tonight. [you = tú]
