Según and conforme can introduce a subordinate manner clause expressing how or according to what something is done. Según and conforme are slightly formal conjunctions.
For example:
When using conforme, the preposition "a" follows when there is a noun or determiner and noun immediately after. For example:
When using según, there is no preposition:
It is also common to find these conjunctions followed by "lo" or "lo que":
Nos pagaron el almuerzo durante la conferencia, según lo acordado.They paid for our lunch at the conference, according to what was agreed.
Según lo que me dijo Manuel, todo parecía ir bien.According to what Manuel said, everything seemed to be going well.
Note that conforme is still using "a" here.
Other examples:
Según dijo Miguel, él no se llevaba bien con sus compañeros.According to what Miguel said, he didn't get on with his colleagues.
Dejamos las llaves en la recepción conforme nos informaron en la llegada.We left the keys at the reception desk according to what we were told at our arrival.
See also:
- Tal como/cual = Just as... (subordinate manner clauses)
- Según / conforme / a medida que for "as / when / at the same time as" in Spanish (subordinate time clause)
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Braimap today »
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Conforme se muestra en la factura, han cobrado 80 libras por el nuevo neumático.As the invoice shows, they charged £80 for the new tyre.
Se disculpó al resto de la clase como le pidió la profesora.He apologized to the rest of the class as the teacher asked.
Tuvimos que aparcar en la fila H según mostraba el ticket.We had to park on row H as the ticket indicated.
Se disculpó al resto de la clase conforme le pidió la profesora.He apologized to the rest of the class as the teacher asked.
Según lo que me dijo Manuel, todo parecía ir bien.According to what Manuel said, everything seemed to be going well.
Según dijo Miguel, él no se llevaba bien con sus compañeros.According to what Miguel said, he didn't get on with his colleagues.
Dejamos las llaves en la recepción conforme nos informaron en la llegada.We left the keys at the reception desk according to what we were told at our arrival.
Nos pagaron el almuerzo durante la conferencia, según lo acordado.They paid for our lunch at the conference, according to what was agreed.
Nos reunimos en la plaza del pueblo a las 6 de la mañana, conforme a lo previsto.We gathered at the town square at 6 in the morning, as planned.
Dividimos los gastos, conforme a lo que habíamos decidido el día anterior.We split the cost as [we had] decided the previous day.
