Use of third person plural

Simon F.C1Kwiziq community member

Use of third person plural

The lesson says that gustaría is only used in the third person singular. However, what if the things that would be liked are nouns, not verbs. Wouldn’t the plural be used to reflect this, as an example “nos gustarían unas cervezas” - we would like some beers?

Asked 2 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hola Simon

Yes, if you have a plural subject (remember that with gustar, the subject is what the person likes, not the person) then you need the verb in plural as you said for unas cervezas

But bear in mind that when you want to say that sort of sentence meaning that you would like something to drink, to eat, in a bar or restaurant you'd never use the verb gustar that way, like in English "I'd like..., please" - we use querer or the idiomatic "me pone...":

Querría dos cervezas, por favor .

Me pone dos cervezas, por favor.

not "Me gustarían dos cervezas"

Here is a context where gustarían would work better. 

He visto unas camisas muy bonitas en la tienda, pero a ti no te gustarían porque son de color rosa.

I've seen some very nice shirts in the shop, but you wouldn't like [them] because they are pink.

¿Tú crees que estas gafas de sol le gustarían a Eva?

Do you think Eva would like these sunglasses?

I hope this clarified it.

Saludos

Inma

Simon F. asked:

Use of third person plural

The lesson says that gustaría is only used in the third person singular. However, what if the things that would be liked are nouns, not verbs. Wouldn’t the plural be used to reflect this, as an example “nos gustarían unas cervezas” - we would like some beers?

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