Según / conforme = as / as per / according to in Spanish (subordinate manner clause)

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA
Last updated: 2024-02-20
3 questions

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:

Se disculpó al resto de la clase según le pidió la profesora.He apologized to the rest of the class as the teacher asked.

Se disculpó al resto de la clase conforme le pidió la profesora.He apologized to the rest of the class as the teacher asked.

When using conforme, the preposition "a" follows when there is a noun or determiner and noun immediately after. For example:

Hicimos el examen conforme a las reglas establecidas.We did the exam as per the established rules.

When using según, there is no preposition:

Hicimos el examen según las reglas establecidas.We did the exam as per the established rules.

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.

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.

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.

Tuvimos que aparcar en la fila H según mostraba el ticket.We had to park on row H as the ticket indicated.

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.

See also:

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 Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

Según lo que me dijo Manuel, todo parecía ir bien.According to what Manuel said, everything seemed to be going well.
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.
Envié los documentos al cliente, conforme se acordó en la reunión.I sent the documents to the client, following what was agreed in the meeting.
Se disculpó al resto de la clase según le pidió la profesora.He apologized to the rest of the class as the teacher asked.
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.
Se disculpó al resto de la clase conforme le pidió la profesora.He apologized to the rest of the class as the teacher asked.
Hicimos el examen conforme a las reglas establecidas.We did the exam as per the established rules.
Hicimos el examen según las reglas establecidas.We did the exam as per the established rules.
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.
Lo hicimos según exigían las normas.We did it following the rules.
Tuvimos que aparcar en la fila H según mostraba el ticket.We had to park on row H as the ticket indicated.
Clever stuff happening!