Adjectives and Articles
Adjectives are used in various ways to modify or restrict the meanings of nouns. These lessons explain the rules of their usage.
Changes of Meaning in Spanish Depending on Use of 'Ser' or 'Estar'
The way we translate certain adjectives from Spanish to English can vary depending on whether they're used with 'ser' or 'estar.'
The way we translate certain adjectives from Spanish to English can vary depending on whether they're used with 'ser' or 'estar.'
Placement of Adjectives
Why do some adjectives in Spanish come before the nouns instead of after? Here's where you can find out.
Why do some adjectives in Spanish come before the nouns instead of after? Here's where you can find out.
Demonstrative Adjectives
A lesson for beginners in the use of demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, those) in Spanish.
A lesson for beginners in the use of demonstrative adjectives (this, that, these, those) in Spanish.
Placement of Some Adjectives Can Affect Their Meaning
The meanings of some Spanish adjectives can vary depending on whether they come before the noun or afterward. This brief lesson lists the most common ones.
The meanings of some Spanish adjectives can vary depending on whether they come before the noun or afterward. This brief lesson lists the most common ones.
Possessive Adjectives (Short Form)
Lesson on the use of Spanish posessive adjectives, also called determiners. These are the equivalent of word such as 'his,' 'her' and 'my.'
Lesson on the use of Spanish posessive adjectives, also called determiners. These are the equivalent of word such as 'his,' 'her' and 'my.'
Adjectives of Quantity
An explanation of the adjectives of quantity of Spanish with sample sentences.
An explanation of the adjectives of quantity of Spanish with sample sentences.
Indefinite Adjectives
Learn how the indefinite adjectives are Spanish are used differentlly than the ones of English.
Learn how the indefinite adjectives are Spanish are used differentlly than the ones of English.
Singular Indefinite Articles
The indefinite articles ('a' and 'an' in English) are used less often in Spanish than they are in English. Here's a guide to how.
The indefinite articles ('a' and 'an' in English) are used less often in Spanish than they are in English. Here's a guide to how.
An Unusual Use for 'Lo'
Although 'lo' as a definite article is typically followed by a singular masculine noun, the textbooks may not tell you that in real life that's not always the case.
Although 'lo' as a definite article is typically followed by a singular masculine noun, the textbooks may not tell you that in real life that's not always the case.
Adjectives and Word Order
Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether they come before or after the noun they refer to.
Some adjectives change meaning depending on whether they come before or after the noun they refer to.
Apocopation (Shortening) of Adjectives
About a dozen adjectives in Spanish are shortened when they are used before certain nouns, especially masculine singular nouns.
About a dozen adjectives in Spanish are shortened when they are used before certain nouns, especially masculine singular nouns.
Noun-Adjective Agreement
One of the basic rules of Spanish grammar is that adjectives must agree with the nouns they refer to in both number and gender.
One of the basic rules of Spanish grammar is that adjectives must agree with the nouns they refer to in both number and gender.
Plural Indefinite Articles
Spanish typically uses the plural indefinite articles 'unos' or 'unas' to mean 'some' or 'a few.'
Spanish typically uses the plural indefinite articles 'unos' or 'unas' to mean 'some' or 'a few.'
Turning Adjectives Into Nouns
Almost any Spanish adjective can be turned into a noun. Here's how, along with many examples.
Almost any Spanish adjective can be turned into a noun. Here's how, along with many examples.
Substitution of 'El' for 'La' Before Some Words Beginning with 'A'
The definite article el substitutes for la before nouns that begin with a stressed a- or ha-. This lesson fully explains that rule of Spanish grammar and provides numerous examples of its use and nonuse.
The definite article el substitutes for la before nouns that begin with a stressed a- or ha-. This lesson fully explains that rule of Spanish grammar and provides numerous examples of its use and nonuse.
Making Nouns and Adjectives Plural
Spanish and English have similar ways of making nouns plural. But there are some significant differences you need to know.
Spanish and English have similar ways of making nouns plural. But there are some significant differences you need to know.
Adjectival Present Participles
English adjectives based on verbs and ending in '-ing' can be translated into Spanish in a variety of ways. One of them is the use of adjectival present participles, which typically end in '-ante' or '-ente.'
English adjectives based on verbs and ending in '-ing' can be translated into Spanish in a variety of ways. One of them is the use of adjectival present participles, which typically end in '-ante' or '-ente.'
Introduction to Past Participles
Past participles are words, common in both Spanish and English, that have characteristics of verbs and adjectives. They are used to form the perfect tenses.
Past participles are words, common in both Spanish and English, that have characteristics of verbs and adjectives. They are used to form the perfect tenses.
Adjectives and Word Order: A Quiz
How well do you know the adjectives whose means vary depending on where they're located? Find out by taking this quiz.
How well do you know the adjectives whose means vary depending on where they're located? Find out by taking this quiz.
Definite Articles Get More Use in Spanish
Although there are a few exceptions, as a general rule a definite article is used in Spanish whenever "the" is used in English. But Spanish also uses a definite article in many cases where English does not.
Although there are a few exceptions, as a general rule a definite article is used in Spanish whenever "the" is used in English. But Spanish also uses a definite article in many cases where English does not.
Using "Mismo"
Mismo can be used to indicate similarity or to add emphasis. It can function as an adjective, adverb or pronoun.
Mismo can be used to indicate similarity or to add emphasis. It can function as an adjective, adverb or pronoun.
Definition of 'Participle' - Grammar Glossary for Spanish and English
A participle can function as either a verb or an adjective.
A participle can function as either a verb or an adjective.
Definition of 'Past Participle'
The participle is one type of verb form that can also be used as an adjective.
The participle is one type of verb form that can also be used as an adjective.
Best and Worst
The Spanish words for "best" and "worst" are mejor and peor, respectively. Here's a guide to using them.
The Spanish words for "best" and "worst" are mejor and peor, respectively. Here's a guide to using them.
Using 'El' and 'La' With Country Names
Some country and city names in Spanish often are used with the definite article (usually el or la). In some cases, use of the article is mandatory.
Some country and city names in Spanish often are used with the definite article (usually el or la). In some cases, use of the article is mandatory.
Past Participles
Past participles, which exist in both Spanish and English, are a verb form that can be used as an adjective and sometimes a noun.
Past participles, which exist in both Spanish and English, are a verb form that can be used as an adjective and sometimes a noun.
Saying 'Next' in Spanish
The concept of "next" may seem quite basic, but it can be expressed in Spanish in several ways, depending on how it is being used.
The concept of "next" may seem quite basic, but it can be expressed in Spanish in several ways, depending on how it is being used.
Saying 'Any' in Spanish
The Engolish word "any" can be translated to Spanish in various ways, depending on how it is used in a sentence.
The Engolish word "any" can be translated to Spanish in various ways, depending on how it is used in a sentence.
Invariable Adjectives
In Spanish, invariable adjectives are often nouns functioning as adjectives, although nouns are used that way in Spanish much less than in English. Names of colors, especially unusual ones, often often as invariable adjectives.
In Spanish, invariable adjectives are often nouns functioning as adjectives, although nouns are used that way in Spanish much less than in English. Names of colors, especially unusual ones, often often as invariable adjectives.
Interrogative Adjectives
The interrogative adjectives are those used in in questions before nouns. Here is a guide to their use in Spanish.
The interrogative adjectives are those used in in questions before nouns. Here is a guide to their use in Spanish.
Objective and Subjective Adjectives
The distinction isn't a hard and fast one, but placing a descriptive adjective before a noun often gives it an emotive or figurative quality, while an adjective placed after a noun is generally understood to be merely descriptive.
The distinction isn't a hard and fast one, but placing a descriptive adjective before a noun often gives it an emotive or figurative quality, while an adjective placed after a noun is generally understood to be merely descriptive.
Use and Omission of the Definite Article
Although the Spanish definite articles are the equivalent of the English word "the," they are aren't used in exactly the same way.
Although the Spanish definite articles are the equivalent of the English word "the," they are aren't used in exactly the same way.
The Spanish Adjective: Before or After the Noun?
One of the first things you may be told when you start studying the Spanish adjective is that, unlike its English counterpart, it comes after the noun. But it doesn't take very much reading of Spanish to find out that the "rule" about word order is meant to be broken.
One of the first things you may be told when you start studying the Spanish adjective is that, unlike its English counterpart, it comes after the noun. But it doesn't take very much reading of Spanish to find out that the "rule" about word order is meant to be broken.
Adjectives of Quantity
How many? How much? Unless you can answer with numbers, to respond to questions like those you'll probably need to use one of the adjectives of quantity.
How many? How much? Unless you can answer with numbers, to respond to questions like those you'll probably need to use one of the adjectives of quantity.
Colors
This Spanish lesson lists the Spanish words for basic colors and, for intermediate students, describes the ways in which numerous nouns can be used as names for colors.
This Spanish lesson lists the Spanish words for basic colors and, for intermediate students, describes the ways in which numerous nouns can be used as names for colors.
Singular Indefinite Articles
Generally speaking, whenever you use un or una in Spanish, you need to use "a" or "an" to say the equivalent in English. But the reverse isn't true.
Generally speaking, whenever you use un or una in Spanish, you need to use "a" or "an" to say the equivalent in English. But the reverse isn't true.
Comparisons of Inequality
It isn't enough, sometimes, to give something a quality, such as to say that the grass is green. Sometimes, we want to say this grass is greener than that grass. Here's how.
It isn't enough, sometimes, to give something a quality, such as to say that the grass is green. Sometimes, we want to say this grass is greener than that grass. Here's how.
Masculine Adjectives Ending in '-a'
The tale of the pink pig: Why does a masculine noun use a seemingly feminine adjective in Spanish?
The tale of the pink pig: Why does a masculine noun use a seemingly feminine adjective in Spanish?
Adjectives and Word Order
It is often said that adjectives come after nouns in Spanish. But this isn't entirely true — some types of adjectives frequently or always come before the nouns they modify, and some can be placed either before or after nouns.
It is often said that adjectives come after nouns in Spanish. But this isn't entirely true — some types of adjectives frequently or always come before the nouns they modify, and some can be placed either before or after nouns.
Two-Word Nouns and Invariable Adjectives
Wwo-word nouns, which are increasingly used in journalese, are essentially the same as a noun followed by an invariable adjective.
Wwo-word nouns, which are increasingly used in journalese, are essentially the same as a noun followed by an invariable adjective.
What Is the Difference Between 'Tan' and 'Tanto'?
Learn to distingusish between the Spanish words tan and tanto.
Learn to distingusish between the Spanish words tan and tanto.
Indefinite Adjectives
Indefinite adjectives are often the equivalent of English adjectives such as "each," "some," "every" and "all."
Indefinite adjectives are often the equivalent of English adjectives such as "each," "some," "every" and "all."
Possessive Adjectives (Long Form)
The long form of possessive adjectives is the type used after nouns.
The long form of possessive adjectives is the type used after nouns.
Possessive Adjectives (Short Form)
Possessive adjectives are a way of indicating who owns or is in possession of something.
Possessive adjectives are a way of indicating who owns or is in possession of something.
Demonstrative Adjectives
Demonstrative adjectives are those adjectives whose function is to point at something.
Demonstrative adjectives are those adjectives whose function is to point at something.
Gender
In Spanish, gender is a type of classification that is applied to nouns, pronouns and adjectives.
In Spanish, gender is a type of classification that is applied to nouns, pronouns and adjectives.
Irregular Past Participles That Change in Form
Some Spanish past participles are used in different forms depending on their use as verbs or adjectives.
Some Spanish past participles are used in different forms depending on their use as verbs or adjectives.