Spanish Phrase
Evitan que las cosas se muevan dentro.
Meaning
They prevent the items from moving inside. The sentence is often used when describing safety measures, packaging rules, or any situation where movement inside a container must be avoided.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to explain a rule, a safety precaution, or a design feature that stops objects from shifting inside a space—e.g., in a warehouse, a moving truck, a child's toy box, or a kitchen cabinet.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Evitanquelascosassemuevandentro
Evitar que + Subjunctive
After the verb 'evitar' followed by 'que', the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the subjunctive mood to express prevention.
Reflexive verb in subjunctive
The verb 'moverse' becomes 'se muevan' in the present subjunctive to match the plural subject 'las cosas'.
Dentro vs. Adentro
Both mean 'inside', but 'dentro' is more formal and often used in written instructions; 'adentro' is more colloquial.
🗨In Conversation
¿Por qué las cajas están atadas al fondo del camión?
Why are the boxes tied to the bottom of the truck?
Evitan que las cosas se muevan dentro.
They prevent the things from moving inside.
✕Common Mistakes
Evitan que las cosas se mueven dentro.
After 'evitar que' you must use the subjunctive, not the indicative.
Evitan que las cosas se muevan dentro de.
When 'dentro' functions as an adverb of place, adding 'de' is redundant.
Evitan que las cosas se mover dentro.
The infinitive 'mover' cannot follow 'evitan que'; you need the subjunctive form 'se muevan'.
↔Alternatives
Impiden que los objetos se desplacen dentro.
They prevent the objects from moving inside.
No dejan que las cosas se muevan dentro.
They don't let the things move inside.
Se asegura que nada se mueva dentro.
It ensures that nothing moves inside.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish, safety instructions often use the construction 'evitar que + subjuntivo' because it conveys a clear, preventive action. When speaking informally, you might hear 'no dejan que...' or simply 'no se muevan' as a command. Remember that 'dentro' is preferred in formal or written contexts, while 'adentro' feels more conversational.