Breakdown of Mi médico recomienda que coma cereales integrales para mejorar mi salud.
mi
my
comer
to eat
que
that
para
to
la salud
the health
mejorar
to improve
el médico
the doctor
recomendar
to recommend
el cereal
the cereal
integral
whole grain
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Questions & Answers about Mi médico recomienda que coma cereales integrales para mejorar mi salud.
Why is coma used instead of come?
After verbs of recommendation like recomendar, Spanish requires the subjunctive in the subordinate clause. So we say que coma (subjunctive) rather than que come (indicative).
Why isn't there an article before cereales integrales?
When speaking about something in a general sense, Spanish often omits the definite article. Here cereales integrales simply means “whole grains” in general, so no article is necessary.
What does integrales mean in this sentence?
Integrales means “whole-grain.” It indicates that the cereals include the entire grain kernel, which is healthier than refined grains.
Why is para mejorar mi salud used, and could you say para que mejore mi salud instead?
Para mejorar mi salud uses the infinitive to express purpose (in order to improve my health). You can also say para que mejore mi salud, but that construction requires the subjunctive (mejore) and is slightly longer. Both are correct.
Could you include the pronoun me and say Mi médico me recomienda que coma…?
Yes. Including me (the indirect object pronoun) is perfectly normal: Mi médico me recomienda que coma cereales integrales…. It adds clarity or emphasis but isn’t strictly required.
What’s the difference between recomienda que coma cereales integrales and recomienda comer cereales integrales?
- Recomienda que coma… uses the subjunctive and addresses a specific person (you).
- Recomienda comer… uses the infinitive and sounds more general or impersonal, like stating a general health tip.
What kind of clause is que coma cereales integrales para mejorar mi salud?
It’s a noun (object) clause functioning as the direct object of recomienda. In other words, it tells us what the doctor recommends.