Spanish grammar
Pedir / decir que + subjunctive (requests)
Ask someone to do or not to do something.
From the scene Te pido que no digas nada (I'm asking you not to say anything)
In short
When pedir or decir asks someone to do something, use que + subjunctive. When decir reports a fact, don't.
Your turn
Which one goes with I ask you (usted) not to warn anyone?
Options: le pido que no avise a nadie · le pido que no diga nada · te pido que no digas
Show answer
I ask you (usted) not to warn anyone → le pido que no avise a nadie
How it works
When pedir (to ask) or decir (to tell) are used to get someone to do something, the verb after que goes into the subjunctive.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Doña Elena, le pido que me (blank) un momento.
Clue: usted
Options: escucha · escuchar · escuche
Show answer
Doña Elena, le pido que me escuche un momento.
Doña Elena, I'm asking you to listen to me a moment.
Good to know
Le pido que no diga (usted), te pido que no digas (tú), dice que no trabajes.
Good to know
But when decir que just reports a fact, the verb after que keeps the normal form: dice que trabajas mucho; no digas que yo lo sabía (sabía = a fact).
I ask you (usted) not to say anything le pido que no diga nada
Javi
Le pido que no diga nada y que no avise a nadie.
I'm asking you not to say anything and not to tell anyone.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) y que no avise a nadie.
Options: Le pido que no avise a nadie · Te pido que no digas · Le pido que no diga nada
Show answer
Javi
Le pido que no diga nada y que no avise a nadie.
I'm asking you not to say anything and not to tell anyone.
I ask you (usted) not to warn anyone le pido que no avise a nadie
Your turn
What goes with le pido que no avise a nadie?
Options: I ask you (usted) not to say anything · I ask you (tú) not to say · I ask you (usted) not to warn anyone
Show answer
le pido que no avise a nadie → I ask you (usted) not to warn anyone
I ask you (tú) not to say te pido que no digas
Elena
Te pido que no digas que yo lo sabía.
I'm asking you not to say that I knew.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) que yo lo sabía.
Options: Le pido que no avise a nadie · Te pido que no digas · Le pido que no diga nada
Show answer
Elena
Te pido que no digas que yo lo sabía.
I'm asking you not to say that I knew.
she says not to work so much (request) dice que no trabajes tanto
Elena
Tu madre me llama todos los domingos. Dice que no trabajes tanto.
Your mother calls me every Sunday. She says not to work so much.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Tu madre me llama todos los domingos. (blank).
Options: Le pido que no diga nada · Le pido que no avise a nadie · Dice que no trabajes tanto
Show answer
Elena
Tu madre me llama todos los domingos. Dice que no trabajes tanto.
Your mother calls me every Sunday. She says not to work so much.
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 ask you (usted) not to say anything | le pido que no diga nada |
|---|---|
| I ask you (usted) not to warn anyone | le pido que no avise a nadie |
| I ask you (tú) not to say | te pido que no digas |
| she says not to work so much (request) | dice que no trabajes tanto |
More lines from the story
- JaviDoña Elena, le pido que me escuche un momento.Doña Elena, I'm asking you to listen to me a moment.
- JaviMis padres vienen el sábado. No saben que tengo tantos trabajos.My parents are coming on Saturday. They don't know I have so many jobs.
- Elena¿Nada de qué? Cuéntamelo ya.Nothing about what? Tell me right now.