Clarifying dependencies in a tense priority debate | Learn Spanish in English

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Use Clarifying dependencies in a tense priority debate to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

La conversación se volvió tensa cuando la gente empezó a clasificar las prioridades de todos.

lah kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN seh boh-LVYOH TEN-sah KWAHN-doh lah HEN-teh em-peh-SOH ah klah-see-fee-KAHR lahs pree-oh-ree-DAH-des deh TOH-dohs. The discussion got tense once people started ranking everyone's priorities.

Parecía que algunos equipos sentían que se estaba dejando de lado su trabajo.

pah-reh-SEE-ah keh ahl-GOO-nohs eh-KEE-pohs sen-TEE-ahn keh seh ehs-TAH-bah deh-HAHN-doh deh LAH-doh soo trah-BAH-hoh. It sounded like some teams felt their work was being pushed aside.

Eso puede dañar la confianza, aunque nadie tuviera esa intención.

EH-soh PWEH-deh dah-NYAHR lah kohn-fee-AHN-sah, OWN-keh NAH-dyeh too-BYEH-rah EH-sah een-ten-SYOHN. That can hurt trust, even if nobody meant it that way.

Quizás deberíamos separar las dependencias de la importancia antes de la próxima reunión.

kee-SAHS deh-beh-REE-ah-mohs seh-pah-RAHR lahs deh-pen-DEN-syahs deh lah eem-por-TAHN-syah AHN-tes deh lah PROHK-see-mah reh-oo-NYOHN. Maybe we should separate dependencies from importance before the next meeting.

Algunas tareas tienen que hacerse primero.

ahl-GOO-nahs tah-REH-ahs TYEH-nen keh ah-SER-seh pree-MEH-roh. Some tasks need to happen first.

Pero eso no las hace más valiosas.

PEH-roh EH-soh noh lahs AH-seh mahs bah-LYOH-sahs. But that does not make them more valuable.

Puedo preparar un mapa de dependencias antes de que volvamos a reunirnos.

PWEH-doh preh-pah-RAHR oon MAH-pah deh deh-pen-DEN-syahs AHN-tes deh keh bohl-BAH-mohs ah reh-oo-NEER-nohs. I can put together a dependency map before we meet again.

Eso debería mantener la conversación concreta en lugar de personal.

EH-soh deh-beh-REE-ah mahn-teh-NEHR lah kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN kohn-KREH-tah en loo-GAHR deh pehr-soh-NAHL. That should keep the discussion concrete instead of personal.

Entonces la gente puede basar la conversación en la misma información y no solo en sus frustraciones.

en-TOHN-sehs lah HEN-teh PWEH-deh bah-SAHR lah kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN en lah MEES-mah een-for-mah-SYOHN ee noh SOH-loh en soos froos-trah-SYOHN-es. Then people can base the discussion on the same information, not just their frustrations.

Word by Word

La “La” means “the” before “conversación” in “La conversación”. It is used with a feminine singular noun. New example: “la reunión” means “the meeting”.

conversación “Conversación” means the discussion being described. The citation form is “conversación”; here it is the subject of “La conversación se volvió tensa”. It can refer to a discussion between colleagues or to an ordinary conversation.

se In “se volvió tensa”, “se” is part of the expression meaning that the conversation became tense. It appears with “volvió” in this change-of-state construction. New example: “La situación se volvió difícil” means “The situation became difficult”.

volvió “Volvió” means “became” in “se volvió tensa”. It is a past form of “volver”, used here with “se” to describe a change in condition. This form is useful when describing how a situation changed.

tensa “Tensa” describes the conversation as tense. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “conversación”. New example: “La reunión está tensa” means “The meeting is tense”.

cuando “Cuando” means “when” and introduces the moment at which the conversation became tense. It links “se volvió tensa” with “la gente empezó a clasificar”. Use it to connect an event with the time it happened.

gente “Gente” means “people” in “la gente empezó a clasificar”. It is the group carrying out the action. The common pattern is “la gente + verb”, as in “La gente espera” for “People wait”.

empezó “Empezó” means “started” in “empezó a clasificar”. It is a past form of “empezar” followed by “a” and an infinitive. The reusable pattern is “empezar a + infinitive” for beginning an activity.

a Here “a” connects “empezó” with the activity “clasificar” in “empezó a clasificar”. It is the preposition used in the pattern “empezar a + infinitive”. New example: “Empezó a hablar” means “He or she started to speak”.

clasificar “Clasificar” means to classify or rank the priorities. It is an infinitive after “empezó a”. Use it with the items being organized, such as “clasificar las tareas” for “rank the tasks”.

las “Las” means “the” before the feminine plural noun “prioridades”. It marks a specific plural group. New example: “las tareas” means “the tasks”.

prioridades “Prioridades” means priorities, specifically the priorities being ranked. The singular citation form is “prioridad”; “prioridades” is the plural form used here. In workplace discussions, it commonly appears with verbs such as “clasificar” or “separar”.

de “De” links “prioridades” with “todos” in “las prioridades de todos”. Here it shows whose priorities they are. The pattern “X de Y” can express a relation such as “el trabajo de Ana”, meaning “Ana’s work”.

todos “Todos” means “everyone” in “las prioridades de todos”. It refers collectively to all the people involved. New example: “Todos están de acuerdo” means “Everyone agrees”.

Parecía “Parecía” means “it seemed” in “Parecía que”. It is a past form of “parecer” used to present an impression rather than a confirmed fact. The common pattern is “parecía que + clause” when reporting how something appeared.

que “Que” introduces the content of the impression in “Parecía que algunos equipos sentían...”. It connects “Parecía” with the following clause. New example: “Parece que funciona” means “It seems to work”.

algunos “Algunos” means “some” in “algunos equipos”. It refers to part of the teams, not all of them, and agrees with the masculine plural noun “equipos”. New example: “algunos problemas” means “some problems”.

equipos “Equipos” means teams, here the teams that felt their work was being sidelined. The singular citation form is “equipo”; “equipos” is the plural form used in the dialogue. It is useful for identifying groups within a workplace.

sentían “Sentían” means “felt” in “algunos equipos sentían que...”. It is a past form of “sentir” and introduces what the teams experienced or believed. The reusable pattern is “sentir que + clause” for expressing a perceived situation.

estaba In “se estaba dejando de lado”, “estaba” helps describe an action that was in progress. It is a past form of “estar” used with “dejando”. This pattern can describe something that was happening at a particular time.

dejando “Dejando” is the form of “dejar” used in “se estaba dejando de lado su trabajo”. Together with “de lado”, it expresses that the work was being sidelined. The expression “dejar de lado + object” is useful when something is being set aside.

lado “Lado” means “side” literally, but in “dejar de lado” it is part of the expression meaning to set aside or sideline. Do not interpret this occurrence as a separate physical side. New example: “No dejes de lado este problema” means “Don’t set this problem aside”.

su “Su” means “their” in “su trabajo”, referring to the teams’ work. It is placed before the noun and does not change for the gender of the possessed noun. New example: “su equipo” can mean “their team”.

trabajo “Trabajo” means work, specifically the work belonging to the teams. It can refer to duties, tasks, or professional activity depending on context. New example: “El trabajo es importante” means “The work is important”.

Eso “Eso” means “that” or “that situation”, referring to the work being pushed aside and the effect of that situation. It is used as the subject of “puede dañar”. New example: “Eso puede ayudar” means “That can help”.

puede “Puede” means “can” in “puede dañar la confianza”. It is a present form of “poder” followed by an infinitive. The pattern “puede + infinitive” expresses a possible ability or effect.

dañar “Dañar” means “to harm” or “to damage” in “puede dañar la confianza”. It is an infinitive after “puede” and takes “la confianza” as its object. Use it for possible harm to trust, relationships, or results.

confianza “Confianza” means trust in the relationship between the colleagues or teams. The sentence warns that the situation can damage this trust. New example: “La confianza es importante” means “Trust is important”.

aunque “Aunque” introduces a concession in “aunque nadie tuviera esa intención”. It means “even if” here and presents a circumstance that does not remove the possible harm. Use it to acknowledge an intention or fact while maintaining the main point.

nadie “Nadie” means “nobody” and is the subject of “tuviera esa intención”. It refers to no person in the group. New example: “Nadie lo sabe” means “Nobody knows it”.

tuviera “Tuviera” means “had” in “nadie tuviera esa intención”. It is a form of “tener” used after “aunque” for the possible or contrasting intention under discussion. The reusable pattern is “tener la intención de + infinitive” for expressing an intention.

esa “Esa” means “that” before the feminine singular noun “intención”. It points to the specific intention being discussed. New example: “esa decisión” means “that decision”.

intención “Intención” means intention, specifically an intention to cause the situation or effect. The sentence says that nobody had “esa intención”. New example: “No era mi intención” means “It was not my intention”.

Quizás “Quizás” means “perhaps” or “maybe” and softens the proposal that follows. It introduces a possible course of action rather than a firm instruction. Use it before a suggestion, as in “Quizás podemos esperar” for “Maybe we can wait”.

deberíamos “Deberíamos” means “we should” in “Quizás deberíamos separar...”. It is a form of “deber” used to make a suggestion about what the group ought to do. The pattern “deberíamos + infinitive” is common for collaborative recommendations.

separar “Separar” means to separate the dependencies from the importance. It is an infinitive after “deberíamos”. The reusable pattern is “separar A de B”, as in “separar los hechos de las opiniones” for “separate facts from opinions”.

dependencias “Dependencias” means dependencies, referring to relationships in which one task relies on another. The singular citation form is “dependencia”; “dependencias” is the plural form used here. In this workplace context, it is used in “separar las dependencias de la importancia”.

importancia “Importancia” means importance, the value or significance assigned to something. Here it is contrasted with task dependencies. New example: “La importancia de la decisión” means “The importance of the decision”.

antes “Antes” means “before” in “antes de la próxima reunión”. It places the proposed separation earlier than the next meeting. The common pattern is “antes de + noun” or “antes de + infinitive”.

próxima “Próxima” means “next” or “upcoming” in “la próxima reunión”. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “reunión”. New example: “la próxima semana” means “next week”.

reunión “Reunión” means meeting, specifically the next workplace meeting. The sentence sets a deadline before this meeting. New example: “La reunión empieza a las nueve” means “The meeting starts at nine”.

Algunas “Algunas” means “some” in “Algunas tareas”. It refers to part of the tasks and agrees with the feminine plural noun “tareas”. New example: “Algunas decisiones” means “Some decisions”.

tareas “Tareas” means tasks, the pieces of work being ordered by dependency. The singular citation form is “tarea”; “tareas” is the plural form used here. It commonly appears with expressions about needing to do something first.

tienen “Tienen” means “have to” in “tienen que hacerse primero”. It is a present form of “tener” in the construction “tener que + infinitive”, which expresses necessity. The subject here is “Algunas tareas”.

hacerse “Hacerse” means “be done” in “tienen que hacerse primero”. It combines the infinitive “hacer” with “se” to present the tasks as undergoing the action. The pattern “tener que hacerse + adverb” expresses what must be done and when.

primero “Primero” means “first” and indicates the required order of the tasks. It modifies the action “hacerse”, not the value of the tasks. Use it when explaining which action must happen before another.

Pero “Pero” means “but” and introduces a qualification of the previous statement. It contrasts being done first with being more valuable. Use it to connect a statement with an opposing or limiting point.

no “No” makes “hace” negative in “no las hace más valiosas”. It shows that doing the tasks first does not produce the stated result. It normally comes before the verb being negated.

hace In “no las hace más valiosas”, “hace” means “makes”. It is a form of “hacer” in the pattern “hacer + object + adjective”, where something causes the object to have a quality. New example: “Eso hace el trabajo más fácil” means “That makes the work easier”.

más “Más” means “more” and forms the comparison “más valiosas”. It indicates a higher degree of value. Use “más + adjective” to compare qualities.

valiosas “Valiosas” means valuable in “más valiosas”. It agrees with the feminine plural object “las”, referring to the tasks. The sentence distinguishes being done first from having greater value.

Puedo “Puedo” means “I can” in “Puedo preparar...”. It is a present form of “poder” followed by an infinitive and presents the speaker’s ability or offer. The pattern “puedo + infinitive” is useful when offering to do a task.

preparar “Preparar” means “to prepare” in “Puedo preparar un mapa”. It is an infinitive after “puedo” and takes “un mapa” as its object. Use it for creating or getting a document, plan, or material ready.

un “Un” means “a” before the masculine singular noun “mapa”. It introduces one non-specific map. New example: “un informe” means “a report”.

mapa “Mapa” means map, here a visual or organized representation of dependencies. It is the object of “preparar”. New example: “un mapa de procesos” means “a process map”.

volvamos “Volvamos” contributes the idea of returning or doing something again in “volvamos a reunirnos”. It is a form of “volver” used after “antes de que”. Together with “a reunirnos”, it expresses meeting again. The pattern “volver a + infinitive” means to do something again.

reunirnos “Reunirnos” means “meet” with “us” included in the form, in “volver a reunirnos”. The “again” meaning comes from the whole expression “volvamos a reunirnos”, not from this word alone. Use it when referring to the speakers meeting together again.

debería “Debería” means “should” in “Eso debería mantener...”. It is a form of “deber” used to express an expected or intended effect. The pattern “debería + infinitive” is useful for describing what a proposed action is expected to do.

mantener “Mantener” means “keep” or “maintain” in “debería mantener la conversación concreta”. It is an infinitive after “debería” and takes “la conversación” as its object. The construction “mantener algo + adjective” describes keeping something in a particular state.

concreta “Concreta” means concrete or specific in “mantener la conversación concreta”. It describes a discussion focused on identifiable facts or issues. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “conversación”.

en Here “en” is part of the exact expression “en lugar de personal”, meaning “instead of making it personal”. It does not mean a physical location in this sentence. The expression “en lugar de + noun or infinitive” is used to present an alternative.

lugar “Lugar” literally means “place”, but here it is part of “en lugar de personal”, the expression meaning “instead of making it personal”. The full expression contrasts a concrete discussion with a personal one. New example: “en lugar de esperar” means “instead of waiting”.

personal “Personal” means personal in contrast with “concreta”. Here it describes a discussion that would focus on people or feelings rather than specific issues. It has the same form for masculine and feminine singular contexts.

Entonces “Entonces” means “then” or “so” and presents the consequence of preparing a dependency map. It links the map with the later discussion based on shared information. Use it to introduce a result or next step.

basar “Basar” means “to base” in “basar la conversación en la misma información”. It is used with the pattern “basar X en Y”, meaning to use Y as the foundation for X. Here X is “la conversación” and Y is “la misma información”.

misma “Misma” means “same” in “la misma información”. It emphasizes that everyone will use one shared source of information. It agrees with the feminine singular noun “información”.

información “Información” means information, specifically the shared information on which the discussion can be based. It is the object after “en” in “basar la conversación en la misma información”. New example: “Necesitamos más información” means “We need more information”.

y “Y” means “and” and links “la misma información” with the contrastive phrase “no solo en sus frustraciones”. It joins related parts of the sentence. New example: “datos y ejemplos” means “data and examples”.

solo “Solo” means “only” or “just” in “no solo en sus frustraciones”. It limits the source of the discussion and is contrasted with the shared information. The pattern “no solo X” means “not only X”.

sus “Sus” means “their” in “sus frustraciones”, referring to the people’s frustrations. It is placed before the plural noun and does not change for the gender of the people or noun. New example: “sus prioridades” means “their priorities”.

frustraciones “Frustraciones” means frustrations, referring to the personal feelings that should not be the only basis for the discussion. The singular citation form is “frustración”; “frustraciones” is the plural form used here. It is contrasted with shared information in this workplace context.

Grammar Points

tener que + infinitivo

Los equipos tienen que preparar un mapa concreto.

lohs eh-KEE-pohs TYEH-nen keh preh-pah-RAHR oon MAH-pah kohn-KREH-toh.

The teams have to prepare a specific map.

Se usa tener que + infinitivo para expresar obligación o necesidad.

en lugar de + infinitivo

En lugar de dejar de lado el trabajo, los equipos tienen que mantener la confianza.

en loo-GAHR deh deh-HAHR deh LAH-doh el trah-BAH-hoh, lohs eh-KEE-pohs TYEH-nen keh mahn-teh-NEHR lah kohn-fee-AHN-sah.

Instead of setting aside the work, the teams have to maintain trust.

En lugar de + infinitivo indica una alternativa o sustitución.

Spanish Vocabulary

clasificar verb

klah-see-fee-KAHR to rank; to classify

conversación noun

kohn-behr-sah-SYOHN conversation; discussion

dañar verb

dah-NYAHR to hurt; to damage

dejar de lado phrase

deh-HAHR deh LAH-doh to push aside; to set aside dejando de lado

empezar verb

em-peh-SAHR to start; to begin empezó

equipo noun

eh-KEE-poh team equipos

gente noun

HEN-teh people

prioridad noun

pree-oh-ree-DAHD priority prioridades

sentir verb

sen-TEER to feel sentían

tenso adj

TEN-soh tense tensa

trabajo noun

trah-BAH-hoh work

volverse verb

bohl-BEHR-seh to become; to turn se volvió

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Some tasks need to happen first.

Show Answer

Algunas tareas tienen que hacerse primero.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to rank; to classify

Show Answer

clasificar

people

Show Answer

gente

to feel

Show Answer

sentían

tense

Show Answer

tensa