Spanish grammar
Aconsejar, sugerir, advertir, insistir en que + imperfect subjunctive; decir que + ind. / subj.
Report advice, suggestions and warnings, and tell a reported fact from a reported order.
From the scene Le aconsejó que no vendiera (She advised him not to sell)
In short
Advice and warning verbs urging an action take que + subjunctive; after a past verb, the imperfect subjunctive: me aconsejó que aceptara.
Your turn
Which one goes with the bank suggested I take my time?
Options: me sugirió que no me diera prisa · mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara · me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender
Show answer
the bank suggested I take my time → me sugirió que no me diera prisa
How it works
When they push someone to act, verbs of advice and warning (aconsejar, sugerir, advertir, insistir en) take que + subjunctive.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Don Ramón, el portavoz dice que la oferta (blank).
Clue: a fact
Options: subiera · sube · suba
Show answer
Don Ramón, el portavoz dice que la oferta sube.
Don Ramón, the spokesman says the offer is going up.
Good to know
After a past verb use the imperfect subjunctive (aceptara, diera, probara).
Good to know
Decir works both ways: with the indicative it passes on a fact (dice que la oferta sube), with the subjunctive an order (dice que usted lo llame).
my lawyer advised me to accept mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara
Ramón
Mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara la oferta.
My lawyer advised me to accept the offer.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) la oferta.
Options: Mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara · Me sugirió que no me diera prisa · Me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender
Show answer
Ramón
Mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara la oferta.
My lawyer advised me to accept the offer.
the bank suggested I take my time me sugirió que no me diera prisa
Ramón
El banco me sugirió que no me diera prisa.
The bank suggested I take my time.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
El banco (blank).
Options: mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara · me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender · me sugirió que no me diera prisa
Show answer
Ramón
El banco me sugirió que no me diera prisa.
The bank suggested I take my time.
she warned me not to even think of selling me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender
Ramón
Doña Elena me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender.
Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena (blank).
Options: me sugirió que no me diera prisa · me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender · mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara
Show answer
Ramón
Doña Elena me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender.
Doña Elena warned me not to even think of selling.
he insisted I try his mangoes insistió en que probara sus mangos
Ramón
Insistió en que probara sus mangos. No sé por qué.
He insisted that I try his mangoes. No idea why.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). No sé por qué.
Options: Me sugirió que no me diera prisa · Insistió en que probara sus mangos · Mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara
Show answer
Ramón
Insistió en que probara sus mangos. No sé por qué.
He insisted that I try his mangoes. No idea why.
he says it is going up (fact) · he says you should call (order) dice que sube · dice que usted lo llame
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| my lawyer advised me to accept | mi abogado me aconsejó que aceptara |
|---|---|
| the bank suggested I take my time | me sugirió que no me diera prisa |
| she warned me not to even think of selling | me advirtió que ni se me ocurriera vender |
| he insisted I try his mangoes | insistió en que probara sus mangos |
| he says it is going up (fact) · he says you should call (order) | dice que sube · dice que usted lo llame |
More lines from the story
- JaviDon Ramón, el portavoz dice que la oferta sube.Don Ramón, the spokesman says the offer is going up.
- JaviNo lo sé. Dice que usted lo llame esta tarde sin falta.I don't know. He says you should call him this afternoon without fail.