Coming and Going for a Purpose
When you go somewhere to do something yourself, you use a motion verb like ir (to go) or venir (to come) followed by a and an infinitive. But if you go somewhere so that someone else does something, use a que followed by the present subjunctive.
This signals a change in subject—for example, visiting the tailor so that they can let out (ensanchar) or take in (estrechar) your clothes.
| Good morning, I've come for you to let out the waist of these pants. | Buenos días, vengo a que ensanches la cintura de este pantalón. |
| I want to wear this dress, so I've come for you to take in the hip. | Quiero ponerme este vestido, así que vengo a que estreches la cadera. |
Shortening and Lengthening
Whether you need a professional to shorten (acortar) or lengthen (alargar) your clothes, remember the formula: ir / venir + a que + subjunctive.
| I've been coming to this shop for years for you to shorten my clothes. | Llevo años viniendo a esta tienda a que acortes mi ropa. |
| The coat is still very short, so she's going to the workshop for them to lengthen it. | El abrigo todavía es muy corto, por eso va al taller a que lo alarguen. |
Major Alterations
Use this same structure for any repair, like asking the dressmaker to unstitch (descoser) an old lining (el forro) or mend (remendar) a hole with a patch (el parche).
| I'm going to the dressmaker for her to unstitch the old lining of the jacket. | Voy a la modista a que descosa el forro viejo de la chaqueta. |
| We've come for you to mend the lining with a patch. | Venimos a que remiendes el forro con un parche. |
| She's going to the dressmaker for her to unstitch the buttons and let out the chest. | Va a la modista a que descosa los botones y ensanche el pecho. |
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io