Imperfect subjunctive

[fglorca]

Is there any way to avoid using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive below?

I told her not to spend a lot a money:
La dije que no gastara mucho dinero.

Muchas gracias de antemano.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by fglorca

Is there any way to avoid using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive below?

I told her not to spend a lot a money:
Le dije que no gastara mucho dinero.

No, you must use a subjunctive clause.

[Julvenzor]

Se requiere el subjuntivo porque un pretérito trastocaría todo el significado:

I told her not to spend a lot a money: Le (OI) dije que no gastara/gastase demasiado dinero (OD = le dije eso).

Le dije que no gastó demasiado dinero = (aprox.) I told her that she hadn't spent a lot of money.


Un saludo cordial.

[fglorca]

Muchísimas gracias, de verdad.