Spanish · C1 · Family moment
Your Club Deserves a Voice in Spanish
Helping your child represent their club mates involves precise communication. At a C1 level, we focus on reported speech using the subjunctive mood (Subjuntivo) in Spanish to accurately relay others' views and distinguish between confirmed plans and hypothetical scenarios.
What you'll learn
- Master the use of Subjuntivo for indirect speech in Spanish.
- Distinguish between reported facts and hypothetical possibilities.
- Use reporting verbs like 'explicar', 'decir', and 'informar' to convey children's opinions.
- Correctly attribute views to specific groups (e.g., younger members, representatives).
Spanish phrases for your club deserves a voice
Tus amigos dicen que ya tienen muy poco tiempo en el club; incluyamos eso en tu carta.
Your friends say they have too little time at the club already; let's include that in your letter.
Using the indicative 'tienen' because it is a direct report of a stated fact.
Los miembros más jóvenes explicaron que les preocupaba perder su espacio tranquilo para las tareas.
The younger members explained that they were worried about losing their quiet homework space.
The Imperfecto describes a continuous state or worry in the past.
Varios niños dijeron que solo podrían asistir los viernes, por lo que cambiar el día los excluiría.
Several children said they could only attend on Fridays, so changing the day would exclude them.
'Podrían' (conditional) is used here to report a possibility or condition.
Los representantes nos dijeron que recogerían los comentarios de todos antes de la reunión.
The representatives told us they would collect everyone's comments before the meeting.
The conditional 'recogerían' functions as the 'future in the past' for reported speech.
Informaste que los miembros del club tenían sus propias sugerencias; ¿cuáles querían que compartiéramos?
You reported that the club members had their own suggestions; which ones did they want us to share?
Uses 'compartiéramos' (Imperfect Subjunctive) to follow the past tense request 'querían'.
Los organizadores dicen estar abiertos a alternativas, aunque eso no es todavía una promesa de mantener todas las sesiones.
The organisers say they are open to alternatives, although that is not yet a promise to keep every session.
'Dicen estar' is a sophisticated way to report a current state.
Cuando escribamos que los niños podrían ayudar a organizar actividades, aclaremos que realmente se ofrecieron.
When we write that the children could help organise activities, let's make clear that they actually offered.
Distinguishes between a hypothetical 'could' and a factual offer.
Tus compañeros dijeron que asistirían a la reunión; estamos informando de su plan, no imaginando lo que podrían hacer.
Your classmates said they would attend the meeting; we are reporting their plan, not imagining what they might do.
Clarifies the intent behind using the conditional for reported plans.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
informar
to report / to inform
A standard C1 verb for formal reporting of information.
alternativas
alternatives
Useful for discussions about changing schedules or hours.
excluir
to exclude
A strong verb to describe the impact of schedule changes.
espacio para las tareas
homework space
A practical term for club-related activities.
Reported Speech and the Conditional
In Spanish, the Conditional (Cantaría) is frequently used to report what someone said they 'would' do, serving as the future-in-the-past. This mirrors the German Konjunktiv II (würde-form) when reporting intent.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Speech | Iremos a la reunión. | We will go to the meeting. |
| Reported Speech | Dijeron que irían... | They said they would go... |
Subjunctive for Indirect Commands/Desires
When reporting what someone wanted or requested others to do, the Imperfect Subjunctive is required if the reporting verb is in the past.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting Verb (Past) | Querían que... | They wanted that... |
| Subjunctive Action | ...ayudáramos. | ...we helped (subjunctive). |
More examples
Ellos afirmaron que estarían allí.
They stated that they would be there.
A clear report of a commitment.
Si no fuera por el club, no tendrían donde estudiar.
If it weren't for the club, they wouldn't have anywhere to study.
Example of a purely hypothetical scenario using Subjunctive + Conditional.