Spanish · B2 · Family moment
Your Turn to Explain in Spanish
Encouraging your child to advocate for themselves is a vital part of their development. At a B2 level, we focus on complex 'instead of' structures using 'en lugar de que' followed by the subjunctive, which allows you to express alternative actions involving different people.
What you'll learn
- Express alternative scenarios where the subject of each action is different.
- Corrects use of the present subjunctive in subordinate clauses after 'en lugar de que'.
- Mastering the nuances of empowering language for children interacting with authority figures.
Spanish phrases for your turn to explain
En lugar de que yo le explique tu idea al profesor, puedes presentarla tú mismo.
Instead of me explaining your idea to the teacher, you can present it yourself.
Uses 'en lugar de que' + subjunctive 'explique'.
En lugar de que nosotros elijamos tu club, puedes decirle al organizador qué te interesa.
Instead of us choosing your club, you can tell the organiser what interests you.
Subjunctive 'elijamos' follows the connector.
En lugar de que el profesor escuche solo mi opinión, podrías compartir tu experiencia primero.
Instead of the teacher hearing only my opinion, you could share your experience first.
Uses 'podrías' for a polite suggestion in the main clause.
En lugar de que yo responda cada pregunta, puedes explicar qué parte fue difícil.
Instead of me answering every question, you can explain which part was difficult.
Subjunctive 'responda' is required because the subjects are different (I vs You).
En lugar de que tu entrenador adivine qué necesitas, podrías pedir una conversación corta.
Instead of your coach guessing what you need, you could ask for a short conversation.
Subjunctive 'adivine' follows the connector.
En lugar de que yo ponga una queja por ti, puedes describir lo que crees que fue injusto.
Instead of me making a complaint for you, you can describe what you think was unfair.
'Poner una queja' is the standard way to say 'make a complaint'.
En lugar de que los adultos decidan todo, tú y tus amigos podríais sugerir una solución.
Instead of the adults deciding everything, you and your friends could suggest a solution.
Subjunctive 'decidan' is used for the alternative action.
En lugar de que tengas que responder inmediatamente, puedo pedirles que te den un momento.
Instead of you having to answer immediately, I can ask them to give you a moment.
'Tengas que' is the subjunctive form of 'tener que'.
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
En lugar de que
Instead of (that)
Used when the subject of the 'instead' action is different from the main subject; always requires the subjunctive.
En lugar de + infinitive
Instead of [doing something]
Used only when the subject remains the same for both actions.
Presentar
To present / To introduce
Used here for presenting an idea or self-advocacy.
Queja
Complaint
Often used with the verb 'poner' or 'hacer'.
Alternative-Action Clauses (En lugar de que)
When expressing 'instead of' with two different subjects, Spanish uses 'en lugar de que' followed by the Subjunctive. This contrasts with 'en lugar de + infinitive', which is used when the subject doesn't change.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Different Subjects | En lugar de que + [Subject A] + Subjunctive, [Subject B] + Verb | En lugar de que yo hable, tú hablas. |
| Same Subject | En lugar de + Infinitive | En lugar de hablar, escucho. |
More examples
En lugar de que yo compre la merienda, ¿prefieres elegirla tú?
Instead of me buying the snack, do you prefer to choose it yourself?
Practical application of different subjects (Yo / Tú).
Hablaremos con ella en lugar de que tú te preocupes solo.
We will talk to her instead of you worrying alone.
Subjunctive 'te preocupes' after the connector.