11. Dando opiniones de las acciones de los demás

In Spanish, we can ask someone to do something very directly, using commands, or in a very polite way, using the subjunctive. The commands are the imperative mood which we will study in the following unit. For now we will study the Spanish polite form to give opinions. Often times impersonal expressions, expresiones impersonales, are the way to give advice, suggestions or recommendations in a very polite way in Spanish.

Here is a list of a few common impersonal expressions that trigger the use of the subjunctive. It is important that you learn these expressions. As usual, we recommend the use of flash cards, an easy tactic to review and practice the acquisition of new vocabulary.

Expresiones impersonales que requieren el uso del subjuntivo:

Analicemos unas oraciones—let’s analyze a few sentences. Identify if the sentences are in the subjunctive or indicative present tense by writing an “S” or “I” next to the sentence. Remember to look for the elements in a subjunctive sentence and the triggers. A trigger may be in the sentence, but if the other elements are not in the sentence such as two subjects and que, it will be an indicative sentence.

1. _____ Yo quiero que tú tomes apuntes.
2. _____ Mi padre desea que yo vaya a la universidad.
3. _____ Es importante estudiar.
4. _____ Es recomendable que los estudiantes miren los videos y practiquen mucho.
5. _____ ¿Qué quieres que yo haga?
6. _____ El chico va a salir con la chica.
7. _____ Es preferible que nosotros visitemos los palacios, los museos y las plazas.
8. _____ Mi amiga necesita escuchar a su médico y ella tiene que tomar la medicina.
9. ____ Ella desea que los niños limpien su recámara.
10. ____Nosotros preferimos ir al cine.

To summarize, the ability to communicate in the subjunctive mood allows you to request or suggest that someone or something do or not do some action. The subjunctive mood offers opportunities to recommend, give advice and opinions on outcomes for which we have no control.

Practiquemos con unos ejemplos—Escribe las respuestas en el presente del subjuntivo:

1. Alexa quiere que yo ______ (tener) un vestido azul para su boda.
2. Su novio espera que ella ______ (llevar) un vestido blanco para su boda.
3. Yo deseo que ellos _______ (vivir) felices para siempre.
4. Mis amigos esperan que nuestros padres no ______(venir) a casa durante la fiesta.
5. El dependiente necesita que el hombre _______ (pagar) por todos.
6. La madre de la novia quiere que el dependiente ______ (hacer) los cambios a los trajes a tiempo para la boda.
7. Es necesario que los vestidos, trajes y zapatos ______ (llegar) antes del 16 de mayo.
8. Es importante que los novios _________(disfrutar) su día.
9. Yo no quiero que ellos _______ (servir) alcohol en la fiesta.
10. Espero que ______(ser) aceptable llevar una falda y una blusa formal a la cena.

Notice a pattern to the examples above. There were essentially two parts to the sentences. What tense and mood do you notice before the “que”? _________________________________________

Subjuntivo vs. Indicativo

José Luis is talking about his new apartment to his mom and she is giving him some advice and recommendations. Put the verb in parenthesis in its correct form. Pay attention to the mood of the sentence (indicative or subjunctive). Perhaps the verb should stay in the infinitive form such as in the cases where there are two verbs together. In all cases below we are using the present tense (the only tense that we have studied for the two moods).

You’ve just read about what one might want or need in an apartment at the university. Now you will learn expressions to help you shop for clothing that you might need at your new school.

Estudiemos nuevo vocabulario: ¡Verbos!

Tarea: As a review of the clothing vocabulary and the concepts we have studied to date, access the Spain versions of Corte Inglés o Zara for their clothing sites. You will work with a representative of the store to provide you with as many outfits as possible within your budget. Write a brief dialogue between you and the clerk that includes at least 10 different exchanges per person in which you apply the concepts studied along with various clothing related vocabulary. Remember to include descriptions of the clothes within your dialogue. Include his/her wants, needs, suggestions, recommendations and opinions along with your own questions/comments to ensure to include the 10 examples of correct statements using the present subjunctive within your dialogue. Stretch yourself to include questions to which you reply with the object pronouns. This will be at least 20 statements (10 exchanges each person.) Type this assignment in 12 size font and double spaced. You will also submit a budget as follows.

Presta atenciónàTienes 1.000 (mil) euros para llenar tu armario con ropa nueva.

Al fin del diálogo, escribe lo que vas a comprar y el precio en números y palabras.

Ejemplo: Dependiente: Muy buenos días. ¿En qué puedo servirle, señora?

Cliente: Muy buenos días. Por favor, ¿me muestra los vestidos formales?

After a few lines of conversation…

Dependiente: Este vestido rosado cuesta doscientos cuarenta y nueve euros.

Cliente: Quiero probármelo.

Escribe el diálogo en un papel separado y tráelo a clase para entregar al comienzo de la clase. Follow the budget guideline below. Make sure to attach your budget to your dialogue.

El presupuesto—the budget. Comienza con mil euros (1.000), escribe la ropa y el costo en palabras y números para determinar si te queda dinero en tu presupuesto. Intenta gastar todo el dinero y no sobre-gastes. (You will have more lines on the budget that you submit with your homework. Below is an example.)

Did you notice how in Europe one divides the digits? ____________

¿Cómo expresas mil euros en el continente americano? ____________