Spanish · B2 · Everyday language
Different Details, Different Plans in Spanish
Helping your child navigate shifting schedules and information is key to developing their critical thinking. This guide focuses on expressing flexibility in plans using conditional structures like 'depending on' combined with various interrogatives and 'si' (if/whether).
What you'll learn
- Express flexibility in plans based on new information.
- Correctly use 'dependiendo de' with embedded questions.
- Formulate complex sentences with 'si' to express 'whether'.
- Adapt planning vocabulary for school, social, and logistical contexts.
Spanish phrases for different details, different plans
Dependiendo de si tu grupo termina hoy, podrías dejar libre la tarde de mañana.
Depending on whether your group finishes today, you could keep tomorrow afternoon free.
Uses 'dependiendo de si' to translate 'depending on whether'.
Podemos elegir una ruta diferente dependiendo de qué autobús esté pasando.
We can choose a different route depending on which bus is running.
Note the use of 'qué' (which) following the preposition 'de'.
Dependiendo de cuánta tarea tengas, podemos acordar un descanso adecuado para jugar.
Depending on how much homework you have, we can agree on a suitable gaming break.
'Cuánta' matches the feminine noun 'tarea'.
Podrías traer una merienda dependiendo de cuándo termine el ensayo.
You could bring a snack depending on when the rehearsal ends.
'Cuándo' acts as the trigger for the condition.
Dependiendo de qué materiales proporcione la escuela, puede que no necesitemos comprar nada.
Depending on which materials the school provides, we may not need to buy anything.
Uses 'puede que' followed by the subjunctive 'necesitemos'.
Podemos hablar en privado o junto con tu amigo, dependiendo de lo que prefieras.
We can talk privately or together with your friend, depending on what you prefer.
'Lo que' is used for 'what' when it refers to an abstract preference.
Dependiendo de si el evento está supervisado, podemos hablar de cómo irás y volverás.
Depending on whether the event is supervised, we can discuss how you will get there and back.
'Irás y volverás' is a natural way to say 'get there and back'.
Podríais dividir las tareas de manera diferente dependiendo de qué tan segura se sienta cada persona.
You might divide the tasks differently depending on how confident each person feels.
'Qué tan' is a common way to say 'how [adjective]' in Latin American Spanish.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
dependiendo de
depending on
The preposition 'de' is mandatory before the dependent clause.
ensayo
rehearsal
Used for music, theater, or dance practice.
merienda
snack
Often refers specifically to the afternoon snack.
acordar
to agree on / to settle
Useful for collaborative decision-making between parents and children.
Conditional Variation with 'Dependiendo de'
In Spanish, to express that a choice depends on a specific factor, we use 'dependiendo de' followed by an interrogative word (like quién, qué, cuándo) or 'si' (whether). Unlike English where word order changes in questions, Spanish maintains a standard declarative word order in these embedded clauses.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Whether | dependiendo de si + [clause] | Dependiendo de si llueve... |
| Time | dependiendo de cuándo + [clause] | Dependiendo de cuándo llegues... |
| Quantity | dependiendo de cuánto/a + [noun] | Dependiendo de cuánta gente vaya... |
More examples
¿Qué vamos a cenar?
What are we having for dinner?
Dependiendo de a qué hora lleguemos a casa, pediremos pizza o cocinaremos algo rápido.
Depending on what time we get home, we will order pizza or cook something quick.
Demonstrates a real-life application of the grammar focus.