Spanish Sentence Structure
Learn how Spanish sentences are formed.
Using 'We' Verbs
The word 'we' and phrase 'of us' are often translated to Spanish in ways that seem unfamiliar to English speakers.
The word 'we' and phrase 'of us' are often translated to Spanish in ways that seem unfamiliar to English speakers.
Double Negatives
Double negatives are considered substandard in English. But in Spanish they are often required. This lesson explains how.
Double negatives are considered substandard in English. But in Spanish they are often required. This lesson explains how.
Sentence
Definition of 'sentence' as the word is used in Spanish and English grammar.
Definition of 'sentence' as the word is used in Spanish and English grammar.
Passive Voice
Learn what the passive voice is, how it differs from the active voice, and how it is used in Spanish and English.
Learn what the passive voice is, how it differs from the active voice, and how it is used in Spanish and English.
Splitting Verbs Not Usual in Spanish
Although it is common to separate 'have' from past participles in English, the same shouldn't be done in Spanish.
Although it is common to separate 'have' from past participles in English, the same shouldn't be done in Spanish.
Using "Ser De"
Using the Spanish phrase 'ser de' to indicate origin or qualities.
Using the Spanish phrase 'ser de' to indicate origin or qualities.
Translating 'For' in Time Expressions
There were several ways in which the word "for" can be translated to Spanish in expressions such as "for one year." This lesson explains the most commona and provides examples.
There were several ways in which the word "for" can be translated to Spanish in expressions such as "for one year." This lesson explains the most commona and provides examples.
Word Order in Spanish Sentences
As you read or listen to everyday Spanish, you will notice that many sentences don't follow the usual subject-comes-first pattern.
As you read or listen to everyday Spanish, you will notice that many sentences don't follow the usual subject-comes-first pattern.
Avoiding the Passive Voice
One of the common mistakes made by beginning Spanish students is to overuse the passive voice. This lesson focuses on alternatives.
One of the common mistakes made by beginning Spanish students is to overuse the passive voice. This lesson focuses on alternatives.
'Más Que' vs. 'Más De'
There are two ways of saying 'more than' in Spanish: 'más que' and 'más de.' Those two phrases don't mean the same thing and shouldn't be confused.
There are two ways of saying 'more than' in Spanish: 'más que' and 'más de.' Those two phrases don't mean the same thing and shouldn't be confused.
Predicate
Glossary entry defining 'predicate' with examples in Spanish and Englisy.
Glossary entry defining 'predicate' with examples in Spanish and Englisy.
Statements of Necessity - Learn Spanish Language
This Spanish lesson covers 'statements of necessity,' ways of indicating that something is necessary or necessary to be done.
This Spanish lesson covers 'statements of necessity,' ways of indicating that something is necessary or necessary to be done.
Using 'Tan' and 'Tanto' in Comparisons of Equality - Learn Spanish Language
A phrase such as 'tan ... como' is typically used in Spanish to mean the same thing as 'as ... as.'
A phrase such as 'tan ... como' is typically used in Spanish to mean the same thing as 'as ... as.'
Negation - Using 'No' and Related Words - Learn Spanish Language
Learn how to negate a sentence in Spanish. Did you know that in Spanish it's OK, and even mandatory sometimes, to use a double negative?
Learn how to negate a sentence in Spanish. Did you know that in Spanish it's OK, and even mandatory sometimes, to use a double negative?
Attaching Pronouns to Verbs
A lesson in attaching pronouns to certain verb forms in Spanish.
A lesson in attaching pronouns to certain verb forms in Spanish.
Definition of 'Personification' - Grammar Glossary for Spanish and English
Definition of personification as used in Spanish and English
Definition of personification as used in Spanish and English
Introduction to Reflexive Verbs
An introduction to reflexive verbs as they are used in Spanish.
An introduction to reflexive verbs as they are used in Spanish.
Comparisons of Inequality
Learn how to express "more than" and "less than" in Spanish and to make other types of comparisons.
Learn how to express "more than" and "less than" in Spanish and to make other types of comparisons.
Asking Questions
Learn how to ask questions in Spanish.
Learn how to ask questions in Spanish.
'Al' Followed by an Infinitive
In Spanish, using the contraction 'al' followed by an infinitive is a very common way of indicating when something happens.
In Spanish, using the contraction 'al' followed by an infinitive is a very common way of indicating when something happens.
Definition of 'Tag Question'
Definition of 'tag question' or 'question tag' along with examples in Spanish and English.
Definition of 'tag question' or 'question tag' along with examples in Spanish and English.
Referring to Decades
This is an explanation of how to refer to the decades (such as to say something happened in the 1970s).
This is an explanation of how to refer to the decades (such as to say something happened in the 1970s).
Adjectives and Word Order
Some adjectives can change meaning depending on whether they placed before or after the noun they refer to.
Some adjectives can change meaning depending on whether they placed before or after the noun they refer to.
Singular or Plural Verb?
Spanish has several situations in which it may not be obvious whether a singular or plural verb should be used, and in some of them the rules are different from those of English.
Spanish has several situations in which it may not be obvious whether a singular or plural verb should be used, and in some of them the rules are different from those of English.
Describing Size and Dimensions
Spanish has three very common ways of indicating the length, width, height and similar dimensions of people or things.
Spanish has three very common ways of indicating the length, width, height and similar dimensions of people or things.
The Neuter Gender
All nouns are either masculine or feminine (or sometimes either, depending on the context). But Spanish still has use for the neuter gender, which is usually used to refer to ideas or concepts rather than people or objects.
All nouns are either masculine or feminine (or sometimes either, depending on the context). But Spanish still has use for the neuter gender, which is usually used to refer to ideas or concepts rather than people or objects.
Word Order
In Spanish, changes in the word order from the "normal" can be heard in everyday conversation.
In Spanish, changes in the word order from the "normal" can be heard in everyday conversation.
Saying 'In Order To' in Spanish - Subordinators of Purpose
Learn how to express the concept of 'in order to' in Spanish using 'para' and other words and phrases.
Learn how to express the concept of 'in order to' in Spanish using 'para' and other words and phrases.
Saying 'In Other Words'
Here are five ways of expressing the idea of 'in other words' in Spanish.
Here are five ways of expressing the idea of 'in other words' in Spanish.
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.
'Gente' and 'Pueblo' as Singular Nouns
Although 'gente' is usually translated to English as 'people,' in Spanish it is a singular noun. The same is true of 'pueblo.'
Although 'gente' is usually translated to English as 'people,' in Spanish it is a singular noun. The same is true of 'pueblo.'
Indicating Possession
Spanish has several ways of indicating possession, since you can't uses the "'s" of English.
Spanish has several ways of indicating possession, since you can't uses the "'s" of English.
Using 'Lo'
Guide to using lo as a direct-object pronoun, definite article and part of a relative pronoun.
Guide to using lo as a direct-object pronoun, definite article and part of a relative pronoun.
Giving Advice
An explanation of the three ways you can give advice in Spanish.
An explanation of the three ways you can give advice in Spanish.
Definition of 'Personification'
Definition of personification as used in Spanish and English.
Definition of personification as used in Spanish and English.
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.
Saying 'What' in Spanish
The English word 'what' can be translated numerous ways into Spanish.
The English word 'what' can be translated numerous ways into Spanish.
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.
Separation of Auxiliary and Main Verbs
It is common in English to separate an auxiliary verb from the verb is it associated with. However, this practice should normally not be duplicated in Spanish.
It is common in English to separate an auxiliary verb from the verb is it associated with. However, this practice should normally not be duplicated in Spanish.
Expressing Afterthoughts
Spanish has two common ways of introducing an afterthought, unrelated comment or offhand remark, ways that are typically translated as "by the way" or "incidentally" in English.
Spanish has two common ways of introducing an afterthought, unrelated comment or offhand remark, ways that are typically translated as "by the way" or "incidentally" in English.
Apposition
Apposition is one way of organizing sentences to provide added explanations of nouns.
Apposition is one way of organizing sentences to provide added explanations of nouns.
Placement of Adverbs
As a general rule, Spanish adverbs (and adverbial phrases) usually are placed near the word they modify.
As a general rule, Spanish adverbs (and adverbial phrases) usually are placed near the word they modify.
Singular or Plural?
Answer to a question about why the singular form is used in a Spanish sentence such as "se quitaron el sombrero" for "they took off their hats."
Answer to a question about why the singular form is used in a Spanish sentence such as "se quitaron el sombrero" for "they took off their hats."
Word Order
Although the normal word order in Spanish is subject-verb-object, other word orders are common and can sometimes indicate a subtle difference in meaning.
Although the normal word order in Spanish is subject-verb-object, other word orders are common and can sometimes indicate a subtle difference in meaning.
Expressing Causation
Do you want to indicate why something is the way it is, or why it happened the way it did? If so, there are plenty of ways to do it in Spanish in addition to the much-used porque ("because").
Do you want to indicate why something is the way it is, or why it happened the way it did? If so, there are plenty of ways to do it in Spanish in addition to the much-used porque ("because").
Negation
Changing a Spanish sentence to a negative can be as easy as placing no before the main verb. It can also be more complex.
Changing a Spanish sentence to a negative can be as easy as placing no before the main verb. It can also be more complex.
Adjective Placement
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.
Verbs Similar to 'Gustar'
A number of Spanish verbs are used in such a way that the verb's object is usually translated as the subject in English.
A number of Spanish verbs are used in such a way that the verb's object is usually translated as the subject in English.
Collective Nouns and Verb Agreement
Collective nouns are sometimes treated as singular, sometimes as plural.
Collective nouns are sometimes treated as singular, sometimes as plural.
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.
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.
Changing 'O' and 'Y' before Certain Sounds
Two of the most common conjunctions — y (meaning "and") and o (meaning "or") — can change spelling and pronunciation based on the word that follows.
Two of the most common conjunctions — y (meaning "and") and o (meaning "or") — can change spelling and pronunciation based on the word that follows.
Sentence
Learn what it takes to form a sentence in Spanish and English.
Learn what it takes to form a sentence in Spanish and English.