Should I conjugate twice?

Question

Hi! I am unsure if I should conjugate the second infinitive in this sentence: Before she dresses, Estela dries herself with a towel. Should I write this as "Antes de se viste, Estela secarse con la toalla." Or should I write it as "Antes de se viste, Estela se secarse con la toalla."? Thank you!

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, May 10, 2017

Answer 1

Antes de vestirse, Estela se seca con una toalla.

Thank you! - akimberly, May 10, 2017

Este ejemplo me gusta más. - Daniela2041, May 11, 2017

Answer 2

If it is a complete phrase with subject and verb you need to conjugate.

Here you have that, as you can tell from your English, which is similar in that regard to the Spanish in this case. (even though the subject is just a pronoun)

If the subject is not repeated, then you use an infinitive.

María se levanta temprano para preparar el desayuno.

Maria gets up early to (or in order to) prepare the breakfast.

Note that in this sentence I didn't say Maria twice or use the personal subject pronoun she.

Polenta's sentence, with a similar structure in English would be:

Before dressing, Estela dries herself with a towel.

Subject not mentioned in the first phrase, no need to conjugate.

Here, the infinitive in Spanish and the gerund (-ing form) in English act as nouns. Note how one could use a "normal noun" instead.

Before breakfast, Estela takes shower.

Antes del desayuno, Estela se ducha.

kenhuizenga: For "Before breakfast", dont forget the article, like this: "Antes del desayuno". - Raff75, May 11, 2017

Si, antes del desayuno. Antes del almuerzo, antes de la cena. - polenta1, May 11, 2017

Les agredezco a los dos. Lo he cambiado. - DilKen, May 11, 2017

Answer 3

You need the subjunctive.

Antes de que se vista, Estela se seca con una toalla.

Note that we need se as the subject gives and receives the action.