Why “Deberías de ir” Can Sound Nonstandard in Spanish

Introduction

When learning Spanish, you might encounter the phrase deberías de ir, which translates roughly to you should go. However, native Spanish speakers often consider this construction nonstandard or even incorrect. This article explores why this particular grammatical structure raises eyebrows among Spanish speakers and teaches you the proper way to express obligation and possibility in Spanish. Understanding the difference between deberías de ir and deberías ir will help you sound more natural and authentic when speaking Spanish, whether you’re a beginner or intermediate learner.

Understanding the Modal Verb Deber

The verb deber is one of the most important modal verbs in Spanish. It expresses obligation, necessity, and probability. The infinitive form is deber, and it conjugates differently depending on the tense and subject pronoun. When you want to say someone should do something, you typically use the conditional form of deber, which is deberías for the second person singular (you).

The standard and correct way to express this obligation is simply deberías ir, meaning you should go. This construction uses two verbs: the conjugated modal verb deberías followed directly by the infinitive ir. This is the traditional and widely accepted way to form this type of sentence in Spanish.

The Problem with Deberías de Ir

The phrase deberías de ir introduces an extra preposition de between the modal verb and the infinitive. This creates what linguists call a prepositional periphrasis, which is increasingly common in spoken Spanish but is still considered nonstandard in formal writing and by traditional grammar authorities. The preposition de should not appear between a modal verb like deber and an infinitive in correct Spanish.

This construction has become more prevalent in certain Spanish-speaking regions and in casual speech, especially in Spain and Latin America. However, it remains grammatically incorrect according to the Real Academia Española (RAE), which is the authoritative body for the Spanish language. The RAE does not recognize deberías de ir as standard Spanish.

Historical Development of the Nonstandard Form

Interestingly, the use of de before infinitives after modal verbs is not entirely new in Spanish history. During medieval and early modern Spanish, this construction was sometimes used. However, it gradually fell out of favor and was eventually standardized out of the language by grammarians and educators who established the rules we follow today.

In the modern era, this construction has resurfaced, particularly in colloquial Spanish. Linguists attribute this to language evolution and contact between different Spanish-speaking communities. Some regions and countries use deberías de ir more frequently than others, but it remains nonstandard in formal contexts regardless of region.

The Correct Standard Construction

The correct way to express obligation using the conditional mood is to place the conjugated modal verb directly before the infinitive without any preposition. Here are some proper examples:

Deberías ir al médico. (You should go to the doctor.)
Deberías estudiar más. (You should study more.)
Deberían venir mañana. (They should come tomorrow.)
Debería trabajar ahora. (I should work now.)

Notice that in all these examples, the modal verb deber (in its various conjugated forms) connects directly to the infinitive without any intervening preposition. This is the standard construction taught in Spanish classrooms and expected in formal writing.

Other Modal Verbs Follow the Same Rule

The rule about not inserting a preposition between a modal verb and an infinitive applies to other modal verbs as well. Consider verbs like poder (can, to be able to) and querer (to want):

Puedes venir conmigo. (You can come with me.)
Podrías ayudarme. (You could help me.)
Quiero salir temprano. (I want to leave early.)
Querríamos visitar París. (We would like to visit Paris.)

You would never say podrías de ayudarme or querríamos de visitar París in standard Spanish. The same principle applies to deber and why deberías de ir is considered nonstandard.

Why Native Speakers Notice This Mistake

Native Spanish speakers, particularly those educated in formal Spanish or those who work in professional environments, tend to notice the extra preposition de immediately. It sounds informal, colloquial, and grammatically incorrect to their ears. When someone says deberías de ir, educated native speakers often mentally correct it to deberías ir.

This reaction is similar to how English speakers notice certain grammatical errors in their own language. For example, saying I should of gone instead of I should have gone stands out as incorrect to native English speakers. Similarly, Spanish speakers recognize deberías de ir as nonstandard.

Regional and Contextual Variations

While deberías de ir is considered nonstandard by the RAE and formal grammar authorities, it is worth noting that language varies by region and context. In some areas of Spain, Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, this construction appears more frequently in everyday speech. However, just because something is common in casual speech does not make it standard or correct according to formal grammar rules.

If you are learning Spanish for academic purposes, professional communication, or formal writing, you should always use deberías ir instead of deberías de ir. If you are learning Spanish for casual conversation, understanding both forms is useful, but using the correct form demonstrates better command of the language.

Similar Nonstandard Constructions to Avoid

The problem of adding unnecessary prepositions extends beyond just deber. English speakers learning Spanish should be aware of other similar mistakes. For example, some learners mistakenly write phrases like:

He de de comprar pan. (Incorrect, with double de)
Voy a de salir pronto. (Incorrect, unnecessary de)
Tengo que de estudiar. (Incorrect, unnecessary de)

The correct versions are simply he de comprar pan, voy a salir pronto, and tengo que estudiar. Recognizing and avoiding these patterns helps you write and speak more correctly.

Practical Tips for Correct Usage

To ensure you use deber correctly, remember these key points. First, always connect a conjugated modal verb directly to an infinitive without inserting a preposition. Second, check your work by asking yourself whether you need any word between the two verbs. Third, look at example sentences from reliable sources like dictionaries, textbooks, or the RAE website.

When you see or hear deberías de ir, recognize it as a common colloquialism but understand that it is not standard Spanish. Train yourself to use the correct form deberías ir consistently, especially in written communication and formal contexts.

Conclusion

The phrase deberías de ir sounds nonstandard in Spanish because it incorrectly inserts the preposition de between a modal verb and an infinitive. The correct standard form is deberías ir, with no preposition separating the two verbs. While the nonstandard construction has become more common in casual speech in some regions, it remains incorrect according to the Real Academia Española and formal Spanish grammar rules. By understanding this distinction and consistently using the correct form, you demonstrate better command of Spanish and communicate more effectively with native speakers, particularly in professional and academic settings.