Phrase · 💭 Hypotheses in every register
Caso de no poder asistir, rogamos nos lo comuniquen con antelación.
Should you be unable to attend, please let us know in advance.
C2formal invitationsformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Caso1nounshould (case)masc. · sing.de1prepositionofnoadverbnotpoderverbbeing ableinfinitiveasistir4verbattendinfinitive,rogamos2verbwe kindly askrogar · present · 1st pl.nosobject pronounto usnosotros · 1st pl. · indirect objectloobject pronounitél · 3rd sing. · direct objectcomuniquen3verbyou (pl.) let knowcomunicar · subjunctive · present · 3rd pl.con4prepositionwithantelación4nounadvance noticefem. · sing..
- Caso → poder: caso de + infinitive: condition
- poder → asistir: poder + infinitive
- rogamos → comuniquen: rogar + subjunctive
- nos → comuniquen: nos: to us
- lo → comuniquen: lo: the absence
Word for word: “Case of not being able to attend, we beg you communicate it to us in advance.”
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1caso de + infinitive = should you…: a formal shortening of en caso de. Conditions without si: como, en caso de que, a menos que, gerund, imperative →
- 2rogar + subjunctive = to kindly ask; formal style may drop que: rogamos nos lo comuniquen. Formal register: impersonalisation, nominalisation and correspondence →
- 3comuniquen: the ustedes form, polite to all guests; spelling c → qu before e. Subjunctive: wishes and influence →
- 4asistir = to attend; con antelación = in advance.
Variations
- En caso de no poder asistir, les rogamos que nos lo comuniquen con antelación.
- Si no pueden asistir, por favor avísennos con antelación.
- De no poder asistir, les agradeceríamos que nos lo comunicaran.