Making Requests: Pedir Que (Ask to...)
pedir + que to a Subjunctive verb to make requests like a native Spanish speaker.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When you ask someone to do something in Spanish, use 'que' followed by the subjunctive mood.
- Use 'pedir' or 'decir' + 'que' + subjunctive: 'Te pido que vengas.'
- The subject of the first verb must be different from the second: 'Quiero que tú limpies.'
- If the request is negative, the subjunctive still applies: 'Te pido que no llegues tarde.'
Overview
The construction pedir que is a fundamental tool in Spanish for making requests where one person asks another to perform an action. This structure is vital for expressing desires, influencing others, and navigating social interactions with appropriate politeness and nuance, moving beyond simple, direct commands. At the B1 CEFR level, mastering pedir que signifies a crucial step towards more sophisticated and socially aware communication in Spanish.
Its core function lies in explicitly indicating that the speaker (Subject A) wishes for a different person (Subject B) to undertake a specific action. This intent to influence or solicit an action from a distinct individual triggers the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause. Understanding pedir que solidifies your grasp of the subjunctive's role in conveying subjective perspectives, desires, and non-factual statements, as opposed to the indicative mood which reports certainty or facts.
This pattern reflects a core linguistic principle: when the main verb expresses influence, emotion, doubt, or desire, and there is a change of subject between the main and subordinate clauses, the subordinate verb must be in the subjunctive. Pedir que encapsulates this perfectly, positioning itself as a cornerstone of expressing volition towards others.
How This Grammar Works
pedir que construction is governed by the two-subject rule and the nature of pedir as a verb of influence or volition. When you use pedir to request an action from another person, you are inherently expressing a desire or a wish for that action to occur, rather than stating it as a fact. This subjective or non-factual nature is precisely why the subjunctive mood is required.pedir, introduces Subject A who performs the act of asking. The subordinate clause, introduced by que, contains the verb describing the action desired from Subject B. The crucial element is that Subject A and Subject B are different entities.Te pido que me ayudes (I ask you to help me), 'I' am Subject A, and 'you' are Subject B.que acts as an essential bridge, linking the main clause expressing the request to the subordinate clause detailing the requested action. Without que, the construction is incomplete and grammatically incorrect when an action is being requested. This conjunction is characteristic of most subjunctive-triggering clauses.pedir when requesting an object and pedir que when requesting an action. When pedir is used to ask for an item or information (without an action from a different subject), it does not take que or the subjunctive. For instance, Pido un café (I order/ask for a coffee) is a direct request for an object, and Pido la cuenta (I ask for the bill) is similar.pedir functions transitively with a direct object.pedir que is mandatory. Compare: Pido un favor (I ask for a favor) uses pedir with a direct object. But Pido que me hagas un favor (I ask you to do me a favor) requires que and the subjunctive verb hagas, because 'you' (Subject B) are being asked to perform the action 'do'.Formation Pattern
pedir que construction follows a precise and consistent pattern involving four key components. Mastering this formula ensures accurate and idiomatic expression of requests. The structure effectively clarifies who is making the request, who is receiving it, and what specific action is desired.
Pedir:
Pedir is an irregular -ir verb that undergoes a stem change from e to i in all forms except nosotros and vosotros in the present indicative. This irregularity extends to its subjunctive forms as well.
Pedir (Present Indicative) |
Yo | pido |
Tú | pides |
Él/Ella/Usted | pide |
Nosotros/Nosotras | pedimos |
Vosotros/Vosotras | pedís |
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | piden |
Yo te pido... (I ask you...), Ella nos pide... (She asks us...). The main verb pedir can be in any tense, but for B1, the present indicative is most common when making the request.
pedir. If you wish to clarify or emphasize Subject B, you can use a + [noun/pronoun] after the verb, but the IOP remains mandatory.
me | (to) me |
te | (to) you (informal singular) |
le | (to) him/her/you (formal singular) |
nos | (to) us |
os | (to) you (informal plural, Spain) |
les | (to) them/you (formal plural)|
Le pido a Ana que compre leche. (I ask Ana to buy milk.) Here, le refers to Ana. If Ana were already clear, Le pido que compre leche would suffice. Note that in Latin America, ustedes almost exclusively uses les for the IOP.
que:
I ask you that you close the door vs. I ask you to close the door.
yo form of the present indicative.
-o.
-ar verbs (e.g., hablar) | -er verbs (e.g., comer) | -ir verbs (e.g., vivir) |
yo | hable | coma | viva |
tú | hables | comas | vivas |
él/ella/usted | hable | coma | viva |
nosotros/nosotras | hablemos | comamos | vivamos |
vosotros/vosotras | habléis | comáis | viváis |
ellos/ellas/ustedes | hablen | coman | vivan |
ser (sea), ir (vaya), saber (sepa), haber (haya), estar (esté), dar (dé). Stem-changing verbs in the indicative often maintain these changes or introduce new ones in the subjunctive (e.g., pedir itself: e > i change in all subjunctive forms: pida, pidas, pida, pidamos, pidáis, pidan).
Mis padres me piden que yo estudie más. (My parents ask me to study more.) Here, Mis padres is Subject A, me is the IOP (referring to yo as Subject B), and estudie is the present subjunctive of estudiar for yo.
When To Use It
pedir que construction is your go-to whenever you need to request an action from a person or entity distinct from yourself. Its primary function is to convey a request, rather than a direct command, providing politeness and acknowledging the recipient's agency. This makes it highly versatile across various communicative contexts.- For Politeness and Formality: In professional environments, academic settings, or when addressing someone you don't know well or hold in high regard,
pedir queis significantly more deferential than a direct imperative. It softens the request, ensuring a respectful tone. - Example (in an email):
Les pedimos que confirmen su asistencia antes del lunes.(We ask that you confirm your attendance before Monday.) This is standard corporate communication. - Example (addressing a superior):
Le pido que considere mi propuesta.(I ask that you consider my proposal.)
- In Informal and Everyday Requests: Even among friends, family, or close colleagues,
pedir quecan be used to make a request sound less demanding than a bare imperative. It offers a gentler alternative, which can be useful for maintaining harmonious relationships. - Example (to a friend via text):
Te pido que me llames cuando llegues, por favor.(I ask that you call me when you arrive, please.) - Example (at home):
Mamá me pidió que limpiara mi habitación ayer.(Mom asked me to clean my room yesterday.- here in past tense main clause).
- To Express Needs Requiring Another's Action: When your desire or requirement can only be fulfilled by someone else's specific action,
pedir queis the appropriate and clear structure. It focuses on soliciting a behavior rather than merely stating a wish. - Example:
El jefe nos pide que seamos más productivos.(The boss asks us to be more productive.) - Example:
Ellos piden que les demos una oportunidad.(They ask that we give them a chance.)
- As Implied Commands or Strong Suggestions: In certain contexts, particularly when authority is involved or compliance is expected,
pedir quecan function as a firm but still grammatically polite directive. This duality makes it a powerful influencing tool. - Example (parent to child):
Te pido que hagas la tarea antes de jugar.(I ask that you do your homework before playing.) - Example (from a sign):
Se pide que no toquen las exhibiciones.(It is asked that you do not touch the exhibits.- an impersonal construction).
pedir que whenever your intention is to solicit an action from a different subject, whether for politeness, clarity, or to subtly exert influence. It's distinct from preguntar, which means 'to ask a question' or 'to inquire', and does not trigger the subjunctive in this way.Common Mistakes
pedir que, typically due to interference from English sentence structures or an incomplete understanding of subjunctive triggers. Recognizing these patterns helps in avoiding them.- 1. Using the Infinitive Instead of the Subjunctive: This is the most frequent error. In English, we often say
Subjunctive Endings for Requests
| Person | -AR Verbs | -ER/-IR Verbs |
|---|---|---|
|
Yo
|
-e
|
-a
|
|
Tú
|
-es
|
-as
|
|
Él/Ella/Ud.
|
-e
|
-a
|
|
Nosotros
|
-emos
|
-amos
|
|
Vosotros
|
-éis
|
-áis
|
|
Ellos/Ellas/Uds.
|
-en
|
-an
|
Meanings
This structure is used to express requests, commands, or desires for someone else to perform an action.
Direct Request
Asking someone to do a specific task.
“Le pido que me ayude.”
“Te pido que estudies más.”
Polite Command
Softening an order using 'pedir'.
“Te pido que no hagas ruido.”
“Le pido que traiga el informe.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Pedir + que + Subj
|
Te pido que vengas.
|
|
Negative
|
Pedir + que + no + Subj
|
Te pido que no vengas.
|
|
Formal
|
Le pido + que + Subj
|
Le pido que se siente.
|
|
Plural
|
Les pido + que + Subj
|
Les pido que estudien.
|
|
Question
|
¿Me pides que...?
|
¿Me pides que vaya?
|
|
Past (Imperfect Subj)
|
Pedí + que + Imperf Subj
|
Te pedí que vinieras.
|
Formality Spectrum
Le pido que cierre la puerta, por favor. (At home)
Te pido que cierres la puerta. (At home)
Cierra la puerta, porfa. (At home)
Cierra ahí, ¿no? (At home)
The Request Bridge
Influence
- Querer To want
- Necesitar To need
Action
- Subjunctive Mood change
Examples by Level
Te pido que vengas.
I ask that you come.
Quiero que comas.
I want you to eat.
Necesito que hables.
I need you to speak.
Te pido que leas.
I ask that you read.
Le pido que me ayude.
I ask him/her to help me.
Te pido que no fumes.
I ask you not to smoke.
Les pido que esperen.
I ask them to wait.
Te pido que me escuches.
I ask you to listen to me.
Te pido que me envíes el archivo hoy.
I ask that you send me the file today.
Le pido que se siente, por favor.
I ask him/her to sit down, please.
Te pido que no llegues tarde a la reunión.
I ask that you not arrive late to the meeting.
Les pido que mantengan el silencio.
I ask them to keep quiet.
Le pido encarecidamente que reconsidere su decisión.
I earnestly ask that you reconsider your decision.
Te pido que te asegures de cerrar todo antes de salir.
I ask that you make sure to close everything before leaving.
Les pido que colaboren con las autoridades.
I ask them to collaborate with the authorities.
Le pido que no se tome esto como algo personal.
I ask that you not take this personally.
Le pido que, en la medida de lo posible, agilice el proceso.
I ask that, as far as possible, you expedite the process.
Te pido que reflexiones sobre las consecuencias de tus actos.
I ask that you reflect on the consequences of your actions.
Le pido que se abstenga de hacer comentarios al respecto.
I ask that you refrain from making comments about it.
Te pido que no desestimes mi propuesta sin antes analizarla.
I ask that you not dismiss my proposal without analyzing it first.
Le pido que, por favor, se digne a escuchar nuestras demandas.
I ask that you, please, deign to listen to our demands.
Te pido que no te dejes amedrentar por las circunstancias.
I ask that you not let yourself be intimidated by the circumstances.
Le pido que proceda con la mayor cautela posible.
I ask that you proceed with the greatest possible caution.
Te pido que no te desentiendas de tus responsabilidades.
I ask that you not neglect your responsibilities.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up direct commands and indirect requests.
Learners use the indicative after 'que' in requests.
Learners use infinitive after 'que'.
Common Mistakes
Te pido que estudiar.
Te pido que estudies.
Te pido estudias.
Te pido que estudies.
Te pido que estudias.
Te pido que estudies.
Te pido que estudiarías.
Te pido que estudies.
Quiero que tú vienes.
Quiero que tú vengas.
Le pido que me ayuda.
Le pido que me ayude.
Te pido que no ir.
Te pido que no vayas.
Te pido que hablas.
Te pido que hables.
Le pido que él viene.
Le pido que él venga.
Te pido que no haces eso.
Te pido que no hagas eso.
Le pido que me diría la verdad.
Le pido que me diga la verdad.
Te pido que habrías venido.
Te pido que vengas.
Le pido que hace el trabajo.
Le pido que haga el trabajo.
Sentence Patterns
Te pido que ___.
Le pido que ___ el informe.
Les pido que no ___ tarde.
Te pido que ___ la verdad.
Real World Usage
Te pido que llegues pronto.
Le pido que me explique el puesto.
Le pido que traiga servilletas.
Les pido que compartan esto.
Le pido que me despierte a las 7.
Les pido que abran el libro.
Think 'Influence'
No Infinitive
Politeness
Regional Nuance
Smart Tips
Use 'pedir que' + subjunctive.
Use 'Le pido que' for extra politeness.
Put 'no' before the subjunctive verb.
If you are influencing someone, it's subjunctive.
Pronunciation
Subjunctive endings
Ensure the final vowel is clear.
Request intonation
Te pido que vengas ↗
Rising intonation at the end makes it sound like a polite request.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
P.Q.S. — Pedir, Que, Subjunctive. The 'P' asks the 'Q' to change the mood.
Visual Association
Imagine a bridge. On one side is the 'Main Verb', on the other is the 'Subjunctive Verb'. The bridge is named 'Que'. You cannot cross without the 'Que' bridge.
Rhyme
When you ask for a deed to be done, use 'que' and the subjunctive for everyone.
Story
Maria wants her cat to eat. She says 'Quiero que comas'. The cat looks at her. She says 'Te pido que comas'. The cat finally eats.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences asking friends or family to do things using 'Te pido que...'
Cultural Notes
Direct commands are often softened with 'por favor' or 'te pido que'.
The use of 'le pido que' is very common in service encounters.
Often uses 'che' before the request to soften it.
The subjunctive mood comes from the Latin 'subiunctivus', meaning 'joined'.
Conversation Starters
¿Qué le pides a tus amigos?
¿Qué le pides a tu jefe?
¿Qué le pides a un extraño?
¿Qué le pides a la vida?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Te pido que ___ (venir) temprano.
Le pido que ___ (ayudar) con esto.
Find and fix the mistake:
Te pido que estudiar.
¡Ven! -> Te pido que...
A: ¿Qué quieres? B: Te pido que ___.
que / pido / vengas / te
Which is subjunctive?
Te pido que ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesTe pido que ___ (venir) temprano.
Le pido que ___ (ayudar) con esto.
Find and fix the mistake:
Te pido que estudiar.
¡Ven! -> Te pido que...
A: ¿Qué quieres? B: Te pido que ___.
que / pido / vengas / te
Which is subjunctive?
Te pido que ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesLes pido que ________ (ustedes - escuchar) la música.
Te pido que me pases el link.
pido / que / te / me / llames
I ask that you write the email.
Comer, Hablar, Vivir
How do you ask a boss to sign a document?
Te pido que no ________ (hacer) ruido.
Pido que el camarero trae {la|f} sal.
piden / me / que / trabaje / ellos
We ask that they help us.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Because it's a request, not a fact.
No, it's grammatically incorrect for requests.
Use the infinitive.
It can be both formal and informal.
Using the infinitive.
Very similar.
Yes, very often.
Write sentences daily.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Je demande que tu viennes.
The conjugation endings are different.
Ich bitte dich, dass du kommst.
German does not use a subjunctive mood for requests.
Kite kudasai.
No 'que' structure.
Atlubu minka an ta'ti.
The particle 'an' is used instead of 'que'.
Wo qing ni lai.
No mood changes.
Te pido que vengas.
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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