Questions & Answers about Es mejor que añadas mayonesa o mostaza a la empanada.
Why is it añadas instead of añades?
The phrase Es mejor que (It is better that) states an opinion or gives a recommendation. In Spanish, impersonal expressions like this trigger the subjunctive mood for the action being recommended. That is why we use the subjunctive añadas instead of the regular present tense añades.
Could I just say Es mejor añadir... without the que?
Yes! If you are making a general statement for anyone, you drop the que and use the infinitive: Es mejor añadir mayonesa. However, because this sentence is directing advice to a specific person (that you add), we must use que plus the conjugated subjunctive verb añadas.
Why do we say a la empanada instead of en la empanada?
The verb añadir (to add) pairs with the preposition a to show the destination of what you are adding. Even though in English we might talk about putting condiments 'on' or 'in' the food, the Spanish phrasing translates literally to adding the condiment to the empanada.