Archive for 'Spanish Grammar'
Grammar tip: forma reduplicativa Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 23, 2008
Take a look at this pair of sentences: Puedes elegir la carrera universitaria que quieras y, hagas lo que hagas, siempre te vamos a apoyar. (You can choose whatever degree you want and, whatever you do, we’ll always support you.) Pase lo que pase, tienes que estar en la oficina a las ocho. (Whatever happens…
The Imperative Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 16, 2008
The imperative mode is used to give orders, instructions, suggestions, and commands. Formal commands (using the pronouns usted and ustedes) are formed with the subjunctive form of the verb. Note that the vowel of the subjunctive ending is the reverse of that usually associated with the particular conjugation: -ar verbs have the vowel –e and…
Negative Sentences Posted by Transparent Language on Jun 3, 2008
Let’s review some ways of making negative sentences in Spanish. 1. Place the adverb no before the verbal expression. María conoce a Carlos. (Maria knows Carlos) – María no conoce a Carlos. He terminado mis deberes. (I have finished my homework) – No he terminado mis deberes. 2. Here are some common negative words. Nadie…
Conjunctions and discourse markers Posted by Transparent Language on May 30, 2008
When we read and write in Spanish, or any other language, we need to provide this text (an e-mail, a letter, a report, a memo, or even a simple note) with cohesion and coherence. Conjunctions and discourse markers play a major role in connecting your ideas logically over long stretches of text or speech. They…
El voseo Posted by Transparent Language on May 18, 2008
Voseo is the use of the second person singular pronoun vos instead of tú. Vos is used extensively as the primary spoken form of the second-person singular predominantly in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and in the Central American countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. In the dialect of Argentina and Uruguay (known…
The Preterite and the Imperfect: Part 1 Posted by Transparent Language on Dec 9, 2007
Ah, the dreaded past tense.Once the Spanish learner comes to terms with ser and estar, they are thrown the curve ball of preterite and imperfect.Here is a quick review of the main uses of each.However, keep in mind that as with any grammar “rule” there are exceptions! The preterite is used when talking about…