Spanish grammar
Antes de + infinitive vs antes de que + subjunctive
Say "before" with the infinitive (same person) or que + subjunctive (someone else).
From the scene Antes de que te arrepientas (Before you back out)
In short
Same person: usually antes de + infinitive. Different person: antes de que, always with the subjunctive.
Your turn
Which one goes with before booking (same person)?
Options: antes de reservar · antes de decidir · antes de que te lo quiten
Show answer
before booking (same person) → antes de reservar
How it works
If the same person does both actions, use antes de + infinitive: antes de decidir (before deciding).
Good to know
If the subject changes, use antes de que — and it is ALWAYS followed by the subjunctive: antes de que te lo quiten, antes de que se arrepienta Marisa.
Good to know
Antes de que te arrepientas is a common set phrase, even for the same person.
before deciding (same person) antes de decidir
Nuria
Antes de decidir, mira el calendario.
Before deciding, look at the calendar.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), mira el calendario.
Options: Antes de reservar · Antes de que te lo quiten · Antes de decidir
Show answer
Nuria
Antes de decidir, mira el calendario.
Before deciding, look at the calendar.
before booking (same person) antes de reservar
Your turn
What goes with antes de reservar?
Options: before deciding (same person) · before someone takes it from you · before booking (same person)
Show answer
antes de reservar → before booking (same person)
before someone takes it from you antes de que te lo quiten
Nuria
Resérvalo ya, antes de que te lo quiten.
Book it now, before someone takes it.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Resérvalo ya, (blank).
Options: antes de que te lo quiten · antes de decidir · antes de reservar
Show answer
Nuria
Resérvalo ya, antes de que te lo quiten.
Book it now, before someone takes it.
before you back out antes de que te arrepientas
Nuria
Medio Madrid. Decide antes de que te arrepientas.
Half of Madrid. Decide before you back out.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Medio Madrid. Decide (blank).
Options: antes de decidir · antes de reservar · antes de que te arrepientas
Show answer
Nuria
Medio Madrid. Decide antes de que te arrepientas.
Half of Madrid. Decide before you back out.
before Marisa backs out antes de que se arrepienta Marisa
Nuria
Tú no... Pero resérvalo antes de que se arrepienta Marisa.
Not you... But book it before Marisa backs out.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Tú no... Pero resérvalo (blank).
Options: antes de decidir · antes de reservar · antes de que se arrepienta Marisa
Show answer
Nuria
Tú no... Pero resérvalo antes de que se arrepienta Marisa.
Not you... But book it before Marisa backs out.
Common mistake
Not decides or decida here. Same person does both → infinitive.
Antes de decidir, mira el calendario.
Before deciding, look at the calendar.
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
| before deciding (same person) | antes de decidir |
|---|---|
| before booking (same person) | antes de reservar |
| before someone takes it from you | antes de que te lo quiten |
| before you back out | antes de que te arrepientas |
| before Marisa backs out | antes de que se arrepienta Marisa |
More lines from the story
- NuriaTomás, tienes que decidir la fecha ya.Tomás, you need to decide the date now.
- TomásMira: hay un sábado de junio que me gusta.Look: there's a Saturday in June that I like.