Aprende a dar consejos corteses usando el condicional simple con expresiones clave como "Mi consejo es", "En tu lugar", "Si fuera tú", "Yo recomendaría", "Deberías" y "Podrías" para situaciones cotidianas.
  1. We use 'Mi consejo es' and 'Yo recomendaría' + infinitive.
  2. With 'En tu lugar' and 'Si fuera tú', we use the conditional.
  3. With 'Deberías' and 'Podrías', we also use the infinitive for suggestions.
Expresión (Expression)Ejemplo (Example)
Mi consejo es... (My advice is...)Mi consejo es pensar más en el futuro antes de actuar. (My advice is to think more about the future before acting.)
En tu lugar... (If I were you...)En tu lugar, planificaría bien cada omienzo. (If I were you, I would plan each beginning well.)
Si fuera tú... (If I were you...)Si fuera tú, pensaría en lo posible y no en lo imposible. (If I were you, I would think about what is possible and not about what is impossible.)
Yo recomendaría... (I would recommend...)Yo recomendaría realizar tus sueños poco a poco. (I would recommend pursuing your dreams little by little.)
Deberías... (You should...)Deberías soñar con un plan realista. (You should dream of a realistic plan.)
Podrías... (You could...)Podrías hacerse escritor y contar tus historias. (You could become a writer and tell your stories.)

Exercise 1: Dar consejos con el condicional simple

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Deberías, En tu lugar, Podrías, Si fuera tú, Yo recomendaría, Mi consejo es

1. Consejo + infinitivo:
... planificar el comienzo de tu carrera.
(You should plan the start of your career.)
2. Consejo en condicional + infinitivo:
... pensar más en el futuro antes de decidir.
(You could think more about the future before deciding.)
3. Consejo en condicional + infinitivo:
... pensar bien antes de tener un hijo.
(I would recommend thinking carefully before having a child.)
4. Consejo + infinitivo:
... pensar bien antes de actuar.
(You should think carefully before acting.)
5. Consejo + condicional:
... , investigaría un poco más sobre ese plan.
(If I were you, I would investigate that plan a bit more.)
6. Consejo + condicional:
... empezaría a ahorrar desde ya.
(If I were you, I would start saving right away.)
7. Consejo + condicional:
... hablaría con la familia sobre el futuro.
(If I were you, I would talk to the family about the future.)
8. Consejo + infinitivo:
... hablar con tu pareja.
(My advice is to talk with your partner.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Select the correct sentence that expresses wishes, advice or suggestions politely, using "Me gustaría", "Querría" or "Debería" correctly.

1.
Error: after 'Me gustaría' you must use infinitive, not subjunctive ('viajar' instead of 'viajo').
Conjugation error: after 'Me gustaría' goes infinitive ('viajar'), not conjugated verb.
2.
Error: the correct structure is 'Querría' + infinitive ('hablar'), not gerund.
Error: after 'Querría' use infinitive, not subjunctive ('hablar' instead of 'hablo').
3.
Error: do not use 'que' or conjugated verb after 'Deberías', use infinitive.
Error: after 'Deberías' must go infinitive ('descansar'), not gerund.
4.
Incorrect for this structure, because with 'En tu lugar' use conditional, not 'deberías' + infinitive directly.
Error: 'En tu lugar' is used with conditional for suggestions, not with present indicative imperative like 'debes'.

Giving Advice Using the Simple Conditional in Spanish

This lesson focuses on how to politely give advice in Spanish by using the simple conditional tense (condicional simple). It is perfect for learners at the A2 level who want to improve their ability to make suggestions and offer recommendations in a respectful, natural way.

Key Expressions to Give Advice

Several common phrases introduce advice. For example:

  • Mi consejo es... (My advice is...)
  • Yo recomendaría... (I would recommend...)
  • En tu lugar... (If I were you...)
  • Si fuera tú... (If I were you...)
  • Deberías... (You should...)
  • Podrías... (You could...)

How to Use These Expressions

When using "Mi consejo es" or "Yo recomendaría," the phrase is followed by an infinitive verb, for example, "Mi consejo es pensar más en el futuro antes de actuar."

With expressions like "En tu lugar" and "Si fuera tú," the simple conditional is used, as in, "Si fuera tú, pensaría en lo posible y no en lo imposible."

Similarly, after "Deberías" and "Podrías," the verb in its infinitive form gives polite suggestions: "Deberías soñar con un plan realista."

Important Grammar Tips

  • The condicional simple tense is key when using "En tu lugar" and "Si fuera tú" to make polite suggestions.
  • After verbs like "recomendaría," "deberías," and "podrías," always use the infinitive form of the verb.
  • These structures make your advice sound respectful and less direct, which is common in Spanish communication.

Comparisons with English

In English, giving advice often uses modal verbs like "should," "could," or phrases like "If I were you." Spanish uses similar expressions but places more emphasis on using the conditional tense for politeness. For example:

  • Si fuera tú, planificaría bien cada comienzo. is equivalent to "If I were you, I would plan well each start."
  • Unlike English, where "I would recommend" is straightforward, in Spanish it requires "Yo recomendaría" + infinitive verb.
  • Also, phrases like "Mi consejo es" are directly followed by an infinitive verb rather than a full clause.

Understanding these subtle differences helps you provide advice that sounds natural and appropriate in Spanish.

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