Spanish grammar
Assume or imagine, fear or bad news: suponer and temer
Think a decision through: state assumptions, imagine cases, voice fears and give bad news politely.
From the scene Supongamos que dices que sí (Let's say you say yes)
In short
Indicative after supongo que and me temo que (bad news); subjunctive after temo que (a fear). Supongamos and pongamos que take either.
Your turn
Which one goes with suppose you say yes?
Options: pongamos que no te renueven · supongamos que dices que sí · supongo que sube
Show answer
suppose you say yes → supongamos que dices que sí
How it works
Supongo que + indicative states what you assume: supongo que sube.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Supongo que ya se lo (blank) contado.
Options: hayas · hubieras · has
Show answer
Supongo que ya se lo has contado.
I take it you've already told them.
Good to know
Supongamos que and pongamos que set up a case to think through; both moods are correct after them, and the subjunctive makes the case sound more hypothetical.
Good to know
Me temo que + indicative softens bad news you are sure of. Temo que + subjunctive voices a fear about what might happen.
I suppose it goes up supongo que sube
Javi
Supongo que sube después del periodo de prueba.
I suppose it goes up after the trial period.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) después del periodo de prueba.
Options: Supongo que sube · Supongamos que dices que sí · Pongamos que no te renueven
Show answer
Javi
Supongo que sube después del periodo de prueba.
I suppose it goes up after the trial period.
suppose you say yes supongamos que dices que sí
Your turn
What goes with supongamos que dices que sí?
Options: say they don't keep you on · suppose you say yes · I suppose it goes up
Show answer
supongamos que dices que sí → suppose you say yes
say they don't keep you on pongamos que no te renueven
I'm afraid the starting salary is lower (bad news) me temo que el sueldo inicial es algo más bajo
Nuria
"Te adjunto las condiciones. Me temo que el sueldo inicial es algo más bajo."
"I'm attaching the terms. I'm afraid the starting salary is somewhat lower."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Te adjunto las condiciones. (blank)."
Options: Supongo que sube · Supongamos que dices que sí · Me temo que el sueldo inicial es algo más bajo
Show answer
Nuria
"Te adjunto las condiciones. Me temo que el sueldo inicial es algo más bajo."
"I'm attaching the terms. I'm afraid the starting salary is somewhat lower."
I'm afraid they won't keep me on (a fear) temo que no me renueven
Nuria
Pero temo que no me renueven. Ni carrera ni experiencia.
But I'm scared they won't keep me on. No degree, no experience.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Pero (blank). Ni carrera ni experiencia.
Options: supongamos que dices que sí · temo que no me renueven · supongo que sube
Show answer
Nuria
Pero temo que no me renueven. Ni carrera ni experiencia.
But I'm scared they won't keep me on. No degree, no experience.
Common mistake
Not sea or fuera here. Montse sets the salary: she is softening a fact.
"Te adjunto las condiciones. Me temo que el sueldo inicial es algo más bajo."
"I'm attaching the terms. I'm afraid the starting salary is somewhat lower."
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
| I suppose it goes up | supongo que sube |
|---|---|
| suppose you say yes | supongamos que dices que sí |
| say they don't keep you on | pongamos que no te renueven |
| I'm afraid the starting salary is lower (bad news) | me temo que el sueldo inicial es algo más bajo |
| I'm afraid they won't keep me on (a fear) | temo que no me renueven |
More lines from the story
- JaviSupongo que ya se lo has contado.I take it you've already told them.
- NuriaSí, a los seis meses. Si me renuevan.Yes, after six months. If they keep me on.
- NuriaMe temo que sí. Y mi madre ya se lo ha contado a todo el pueblo.I'm afraid so. And my mum has already told the whole village.