Avoiding Dequeísmo and Queísmo: The Ultimate Guide to Correct Spanish (B2+)

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Key Takeaways

• Understand dequeísmo (adding de where it doesn’t belong) and queísmo (omitting de where it is required).
• Master the rule: Verbs that require the preposition de before a noun also require it before a subordinate clause starting with que.
• Learn the major categories of verbs and expressions that trigger de que.
• Apply the “Noun Substitution Test” to quickly check if de is needed.
• Recognize that while common in casual speech, avoiding these errors is essential for formal, correct Spanish.

The Hallmark of Precision: Correcting a Common Native Error

At the B2+ level, refining your Spanish means avoiding errors that even natives make. Dequeísmo and queísmo are the most classic examples—misusing the preposition de before que. Mastering this not only makes your grammar impeccable but also signals a deep understanding of Spanish structure. This is the grammar of accuracy and formal correctness.

What Are Dequeísmo and Queísmo?

• Dequeísmo: Incorrectly adding the preposition de before que when it is not required.
  • ❌ Incorrect (Dequeísmo): “Pienso de que es tarde.” (I think that it’s late.)
  • ✅ Correct: “Pienso que es tarde.”
• Queísmo: Incorrectly omitting the preposition de before que when it is required by the verb.
  • ❌ Incorrect (Queísmo): “Me alegro que estés aquí.” (I’m happy that you’re here.)
  • ✅ Correct: “Me alegro de que estés aquí.”

The Golden Rule: Consistency with Nouns

The key is to check if the verb or expression requires de when followed by a noun. If it does, it will also require de que when followed by a clause.

Apply the NOUN SUBSTITUTION TEST:

1. Take your sentence with que.
2. Try to replace the clause with a simple noun or pronoun (esto, algo, eso).
3. If you need de before the noun, you need de before que.

Example 1: Alegrarse de

• Sentence: “Me alegro de que hayas venido.” (I’m glad that you have come.)
• Test: “Me alegro de esto.” (I’m glad about this.) ✅ De is needed with the noun. Therefore, de que is correct.
• Queísmo Error: ❌ “Me alegro que hayas venido.”

Example 2: Pensar (que)

• Sentence: “Pienso que tienes razón.” (I think that you are right.)
• Test: “Pienso esto.” (I think this.) ✅ No de is needed with the noun. Therefore, just que is correct.
• Dequeísmo Error: ❌ “Pienso de que tienes razón.”

💡 Quick Tip: Dequeísmo is often a hypercorrection—people know de que is common, so they overuse it. When in doubt, try the noun test.

Common Triggers for DE QUE (Avoiding Queísmo)

Memorize these categories of verbs/expressions that require de que.

Category	Verb/Expression	Correct Use with de que
Emotion & Reaction	Alegrarse de, Sorprenderse de, Arrepentirse de, Quejarse de	“Me sorprendo de que sea tan caro.”
Awareness & Certainty	Darse cuenta de, Estar seguro/de seguro de, Convencerse de	“Se dio cuenta de que lo había olvidado.”
Speaking & Informing	Hablar de, Decir de, Comentar de, Informar de	“Hablaron de que llovería.”
Necessity & Advice	Necesidad de, Tener ganas de, Acordarse de, Olvidarse de	“Tengo ganas de que lleguen las vacaciones.”
Impersonal Expressions	Es importante de❌ → Wait! This is a TRAP. See below.

💀 The Major Trap: Impersonal Expressions

This is where most learners (and natives) get confused. Impersonal expressions with ser typically do NOT use de que.

• ✅ Correct: “Es importante que vengas.” (It is important that you come.)
• ❌ Incorrect (Dequeísmo): “Es importante de que vengas.”
• Test: “Es importante esto.” No de. Therefore, no de que.

The rule holds: if you can’t say “Es importante de esto,” you can’t say “Es importante de que…”

💻 Conjugate with Confidence
Using de que correctly often involves pairing it with verbs in the subjunctive. Ensure your conjugations are perfect with our Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool.

➤ Try the Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool Now

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

1. The “Es…de que” Trap: As above. “Es posible/de seguro/obvio que…” NEVER use de with these impersonal ser expressions.
2. Confusing Pensar de vs. Pensar que:
   • Pensar que: To think that (believe). “Pienso que es bueno.”
   • Pensar de: To have an opinion about. “¿Qué piensas de la película?” → Therefore, “¿Qué piensas de que hayan cancelado el proyecto?” (What’s your opinion about the fact that they cancelled…?)
3. Forgetting with Reflexive Verbs: Verbs like alegrarse, olvidarse, enterarse are reflexive and require de. Don’t forget the pronoun! “Me enteré de que…”
4. Overcorrecting and Creating Dequeísmo: Fear of queísmo can lead to the opposite error. Remember the noun test.

Putting It All Together: Correct vs. Incorrect

Incorrect (Dequeísmo & Queísmo Mix):
“Opino de que deberías irte, pero no estoy seguro que sea la mejor opción. Además, me di cuenta que se olvidaron de que avisarnos.”

Corrected Version:
“Opino que deberías irte, pero no estoy seguro de que sea la mejor opción. Además, me di cuenta de que se olvidaron de avisarnos.” (or “…se olvidaron de que nos avisaran.”)

Quick Reference Chart

Error Type	Definition	Test to Avoid It
Dequeísmo	Adding unnecessary de before que	Can you remove de and the sentence still works with a noun? “Creo (de) esto” → No de needed.
Queísmo	Omitting necessary de before que	Does the verb need de before a noun? “Me alegro (de) esto” → De is needed.
Safe Harbor	Impersonal Es… expressions	“Es claro (de) esto” → No de. Use “Es claro que…”

Practice Exercise: Spot and Correct the Error

Identify dequeísmo (D) or queísmo (Q) and correct the sentence.

1. Me han informado de que la reunión se cancela. (D / Q / Correct?)
2. Es evidente de que no estudiaste. (D / Q / Correct?)
3. ¿Te acuerdas que teníamos que llamarla? (D / Q / Correct?)
4. No dijo de que iba a llegar tarde. (D / Q / Correct?)
5. Tengo la seguridad de que lo lograrás. (D / Q / Correct?)

Answers:

1. Correct. Informar a alguien de algo requires de.
2. Dequeísmo (D). Correct: “Es evidente que no estudiaste.”
3. Queísmo (Q). Correct: “¿Te acuerdas de que teníamos que llamarla?” (Acordarse de algo).
4. Dequeísmo (D). Correct: “No dijo que iba a llegar tarde.” (Decir algo).
5. Correct. Tener la seguridad de algo requires de.

📚 Review Related Topics: [B1 Guide: Relative Pronouns] | [B2 Guide: Subjunctive in Adjective Clauses] | [Spanish Verb Conjugation Tool]

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Pro Tip: In fast, informal speech, queísmo is very common and often tolerated. However, in writing and formal speech, always use the correct form. When in doubt during a conversation, you can often rephrase to avoid the structure: instead of “Me alegro de que…” say “Qué alegría que…” (How great that…).