Setting boundaries with housemates

The idea

Use ¿te parece bien que...? to propose an arrangement, necesito que to express a need, and siempre que to set a condition. These are followed by the subjunctive.

Examples

• ¿Te parece bien que avisemos antes de invitar a alguien?Would you be happy for us to give notice before inviting someone over?
• Necesito que el salón quede libre durante mi reunión de trabajo.I need the living room to stay free during my work meeting.
• Si tu hermana se queda a dormir, avísame con un día de antelación.If your sister stays overnight, let me know a day in advance.
• Entiendo que quieras recibir visitas, pero por la noche necesito descansar.I understand that you want to have visitors, but I need to rest at night.
• Podemos usar la cocina a la vez siempre que dejemos espacio para cocinar.We can use the kitchen at the same time as long as we leave room for cooking.
• Hablemos de nuevo el mes que viene para ver si el acuerdo nos funciona.Let’s talk again next month to see whether the agreement works for us.

Watch out

Do not use the indicative after necesito que when expressing a need: say necesito que quede, not necesito que queda.

Try it yourself

1. Complete with the appropriate form: I prefer you to tell me before bringing guests.

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   avises

   Avises is subjunctive after the preference expressed by prefiero que.

2. Complete: we can share the table provided we clean it afterward.

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   limpiemos

   Limpiemos presents cleaning as a condition for sharing the table.

3. Complete the informal request: if you need quiet, let me know in advance.

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   hazlo

   Hazlo is the informal singular command; it asks the other person to make the need known.

Use it today

Suggest a guest arrangement, explain a need and agree when to revisit it.