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Express preferences politely (Me gustaría, Debería, Querría,...)

Explanation on the use of the condicional simple to express intentions.

Gramática: Express preferences politely (Me gustaría, Debería, Querría,...)

A2 Spanish Conditional expressing wants

Level: A2

Module 3: Estilo de vida (Lifestyle)

Lesson 19: Comida y hábitos saludables (Healthy food and habits)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

Audio with translations
Audio with translations

  1. We use the simple conditional to express the intention of doing something in the future, express wishes and preferences.
  2. The most used verbs for this are "gustar, querer, deber, preferir".
  3. To form the simple conditional add the endings "-ía, -ías, -ía, -íamos, -íais, -ían" to the infinitive.
UsoVerboEjemplo
Intención de hacer algo GustarMe gustaría merendar algo saludable esta tarde. (I would like to have a healthy snack this afternoon.)
DeberDebería cambiar mi dieta. Quiero ser más sano. (I should change my diet. I want to be healthier.)
DeseosQuererQuerría llevar una dieta vegetariana, pero me gusta la carne. (I would like to follow a vegetarian diet, but I like meat.)
PreferenciasPreferirPreferiría comer más fruta y menos comida no saludable. (I would prefer to eat more fruit and less unhealthy food.)

Exercise 1: Express preferences politely (Me gustaría, Debería, Querría,...)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Preferirían, Preferiría, querría, Tendríais que, Nos gustaría, Me gustaría, Bebería, Comeríamos

1. Beber (yo):
... más agua y menos refrescos para estar más saludable pero me gustan mucho.
(I would drink more water and less soft drinks to be healthier but I like them a lot.)
2. Preferir (ellos/-as/ustedes):
... merendar de una manera más equilibrada.
(They would prefer to have a more balanced tea.)
3. Gustar (nosotros/-as):
... probar a tener un estilo de vida más sano para tener mejor salud.
(We would like to try to have a healthier lifestyle to have better health.)
4. Querer (Ella):
Ana ... ser vegetariana pero me encanta la carne.
(Ana would like to be a vegetarian but I love meat.)
5. Comer (nosotros/-as):
... más verdura para estar sanos, pero no sabemos cómo prepararla.
(We would eat more vegetables to be healthy, but we don't know how to prepare them.)
6. Preferir (yo):
... merendar frutas en lugar de prepararme meriendas no saludables.
(I would prefer to snack on fruits instead of making myself unhealthy snacks.)
7. Tener que (vosotros/-as):
... comer más fruta y verdura para estar tan sanos como nosotros.
(You would have to eat more fruit and vegetables to be as healthy as us.)
8. Gustar (yo):
... tomar menos refrescos para llevar una dieta más saludable.
(I would like to drink fewer fizzy drinks to have a healthier diet.)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.

1

Debería

I should

2

Preferirían

They would prefer

3

Deberíamos

We should

4

Nos gustaría

We would like

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