Learn Spanish (Latin America): Bailaremos en la discoteca, a menos que prefieran el karaoke. - We will dance at the nightclub, unless you all prefer karaoke.

Bailaremos en la discoteca, a menos que prefieran el karaoke.

We will dance at the nightclub, unless you all prefer karaoke.

Breakdown of Bailaremos en la discoteca, a menos que prefieran el karaoke.

Questions & Answers about Bailaremos en la discoteca, a menos que prefieran el karaoke.

Why is prefieran in the subjunctive mood?

The phrase a menos que (unless) is a conditional clause of exception. It always requires the subjunctive mood because it introduces a hypothetical or unconfirmed situation that could alter the outcome of the main clause (bailaremos).

Why is there a spelling change in the middle of prefieran?

Preferir is an e-to-ie stem-changing verb. In the present subjunctive, verbs ending in -ir keep their stem changes for all forms except nosotros and vosotros. Since this verb is conjugated for ustedes (you all), the second 'e' changes to 'ie', making it prefieran.

Why do we use en la discoteca instead of a la discoteca for 'at the nightclub'?

In Spanish, en is used to indicate the physical location where an action takes place (we are already there, dancing). You would only use a if you were using a verb of motion toward a destination, such as iremos a la discoteca (we will go to the nightclub).

Why does karaoke need the definite article el here?