Que vs De Que
Queísmo is dropping a needed 'de' (e.g., Me di cuenta que...). Dequeísmo is adding an unneeded 'de' (e.g., Pienso de que...). The trick is to replace the clause with 'eso' to see if 'de' is required.
How It Works
Queísmo and dequeísmo are two of the most common grammatical errors in Spanish, even among native speakers. They involve the incorrect use or omission of the preposition 'de' before the conjunction 'que'. Mastering this distinction is a sign of advanced proficiency.
1. Dequeísmo: Adding an unnecessary 'de'
This occurs when 'de' is inserted before 'que' when the verb does not require it. It's common with verbs of thought, speech, and perception.
- Common verbs that DO NOT use 'de que': pensar, creer, opinar, decir, comunicar, saber, ver, oír, suponer, imaginar.
Rule: These verbs take a direct object. The entire 'que' clause acts as that direct object.
Test: Replace the 'que' clause with 'eso'. If 'de' is not needed, don't use it with 'que'.
Incorrect: Pienso de que deberíamos irnos. → Pienso de eso. (Sounds wrong)
Correct: Pienso que deberíamos irnos. → Pienso eso. (Sounds right)
2. Queísmo: Omitting a necessary 'de'
This is the opposite error: omitting 'de' when the verb or expression requires it. This often happens with verbs that are followed by a prepositional complement.
- Common verbs/expressions that DO use 'de que': acordarse de, alegrarse de, darse cuenta de, estar seguro de, tener miedo de, no caber duda de, tener la impresión de.
Rule: The verb or expression requires the preposition 'de' to connect to its object or complement.
Test: Replace the 'que' clause with 'eso'. If you need 'de eso', you must use 'de que'.
Incorrect: Me di cuenta que había un error. → Me di cuenta eso. (Sounds wrong)
Correct: Me di cuenta de que había un error. → Me di cuenta de eso. (Sounds right)
3. Verbs with Dual Meanings
Some verbs can be used with or without 'de', but the meaning changes:
- Advertir que: to inform, to notice. (Me advirtió que la tienda cerraba pronto. - He informed me that the store was closing soon.)
- Advertir de que: to warn. (Me advirtió de que el perro era peligroso. - He warned me that the dog was dangerous.)
- Informar que: to inform (common in Latin America). (Informó que la reunión fue cancelada.)
- Informar de que: to inform (preferred by RAE). (Informó de que la reunión fue cancelada.)
Examples (6)
- Creo que tienes razón.
I think that you are right.
Word by Word: I believe that you have reason.
Correct use of 'que'. The verb 'creer' does not take 'de'. Test: 'Creo eso' (I believe that) is correct.
- Estoy seguro de que todo saldrá bien.
I am sure that everything will turn out well.
Word by Word: I am sure of that everything will turn out well.
Correct use of 'de que'. The expression is 'estar seguro de algo'. Test: 'Estoy seguro de eso' (I am sure of that) is correct.
- Me alegro de que hayas podido venir.
I'm happy that you were able to come.
Word by Word: I gladden myself of that you have been able to come.
The verb is 'alegrarse de algo'. Omitting 'de' (Me alegro que...) would be an example of queísmo.
- No me había dado cuenta de que ya era tan tarde.
I hadn't realized that it was already so late.
Word by Word: I had not given myself account of that already it was so late.
The phrasal verb is 'darse cuenta de algo', so 'de que' is required.
- El problema es que no tenemos suficiente tiempo.
The problem is that we don't have enough time.
Word by Word: The problem is that not we have enough time.
After 'ser', 'que' is used directly. 'El problema es de que...' would be dequeísmo.
- Tengo la esperanza de que las cosas mejoren.
I have hope that things will get better.
Word by Word: I have the hope of that the things improve.
The noun phrase is 'la esperanza de algo', requiring 'de que'.
Common Mistakes
Dequeísmo: Adding 'de' after verbs of thinking or saying.
Me dijo de que no vendría a la fiesta.Me dijo que no vendría a la fiesta.Verbs like 'decir', 'pensar', and 'creer' introduce a direct object clause with 'que'. They do not use 'de'. The test is 'Me dijo eso', not 'Me dijo de eso'.
Queísmo: Omitting 'de' with verbs that require it.
No me acordaba que hoy era tu cumpleaños.No me acordaba de que hoy era tu cumpleaños.The verb is 'acordarse de algo' (to remember something). The preposition 'de' is part of the verb's structure and cannot be omitted. The test is 'No me acordaba de eso'.
Confusing 'estar seguro que' and 'estar seguro de que'.
Estoy seguro que cerré la puerta.Estoy seguro de que cerré la puerta.The correct expression is 'estar seguro de algo' (to be sure of something). Therefore, 'de que' is required. While the incorrect form is very common in speech, it is grammatically considered queísmo.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn queísmo and dequeísmo, a learner must first understand how the preposition 'de' functions and how the conjunction 'que' connects clauses. The difficulty lies in knowing whether a specific verb, noun, or adjective requires 'de' before a subordinate clause (e.g., 'me alegro de que' vs. 'pienso que'). Familiarity with basic prepositions and relative clauses is therefore a necessary foundation.
- a/de/en/con/sinBasic Prepositions
Understanding the basic function of the preposition 'de' is essential to distinguish when it is required by a verb or noun versus when it is incorrectly added or omitted.
Foundations - queRelative Pronoun Que
The conjunction 'que' is the core particle in these constructions; learners must understand its role in connecting clauses before addressing errors in its usage.
Level 3 - se dice que/se cree queImpersonal Expressions
Many instances of queísmo/dequeísmo occur in impersonal or reporting structures where 'que' introduces a subordinate clause.
Level 4
Related Patterns
- es necesario que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Necessity
Impersonal expressions like es necesario que or 'es importante que' correctly use 'que' without 'de'. This contrasts with noun-based expressions like 'tengo la certeza de que', helping to solidify the rules for when 'de' is or isn't needed.
Level 3 - dudo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with Doubt
The verb 'dudar' is a tricky case. The traditional rule calls for 'dudar de que' (since one 'duda de algo'). However, 'dudar que' is now widely accepted by the RAE. This shows how usage can evolve and presents an advanced exception to the general rule.
Level 3 - lo queLo Que Construction
The structure lo que creates a noun clause meaning 'what' or 'the thing that'. It's important not to confuse this fixed structure with the 'que' vs. 'de que' issue, which depends entirely on the main verb's requirements.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Que vs De Que in Bubblegum
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