2. Grammar Book
1. Constructions of se
2. Adverbs
3. Preterite vs. Imperfect
4. Por vs. Para
5. Stressed Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns
6. Commands: Informal, Formal, Nosotros, Irregulars,
Affirmative, Negative
7. Object Pronoun Placement: IOP, DOP, SE
8. Present Subjunctive
9. Subjunctive with Verbs of Will and Influence
10. Bibliography
3. 1. Constructions of Se
• Impersonal:
- No specific person is being addressed.
- They are often used in advertisements, directions, and
signs.
- Se + 3rd person singular verb
- Se can also be used to show unplanned or accidental
events.
Examples:
- Se habla español en Costa Rica.
They speak Spanish in Costa Rica.
- Se prohibe fumar.
Smoking is prohibited.
4. 2. Adverbs
- Adverbs are words that describe, or modify, verbs adjectives other adverbs.
- They can be formed by adding -mente to the end of the feminine
singular form of the adjective.
- When two adverbs modify the same verb, only the second one - Example: Leo rapidamente.
- I read quickly.
5. 3. Preterite vs. Imperfect
• Preterite:
- Used for completed past actions.
- Car-Gar-Zar:
- Verbs that end in -gar change g to gu
- Verbs that end in -car change c to qu
- Verbs that end in -zar change z to c
• Imperfect:
- Used for past actions with an indefinite beginning or end.
• Differences: Triggers
-ayer (yesterday), anoche (last night), pasada semana (last week), anteayer (the day before
6. 4. Por vs. Para
Por
- Motion or general
location: around,
through, along, by
- Duration of an action:
for, during, in
- Reason or motive for
an action: because of,
on account of, etc
- Object of a search: for,
in search of Purpose
+ (noun): for, used for
- Means by which
something is done: by,
by way of, by means
ofExchange or
substitution: for, in
exchange for
- Units of measure: per,
by *por ejemplo, por eso,
por fin
Para
- Destination: toward, in the direction of
- Deadline or specific time in the future: by, for
- Purpose or goal + (infinitive): in order to
- Recipient of something; for
- Comparison w/ others or an opinion: for, considering
- In the employ of: for
Por and Para are both translated to “for”.
7. 5. Stressed Possessive
Adjectives and Pronouns • Possessive Adjectives
- Indicates to whom or to what something belongs.
- Agrees with gender and number of the noun being modified
- Noun + Stressed Possessive Adjective
• Possessive Pronouns
- Words which replace nouns modified by possessive adjectives.
8. 6. Commands
• Formal commands
- Used to give orders and advice.
- For usted and ustedes forms.
- Start with verb’s yo form
- Drop the -o
- Use these endings:
• Informal (tu) commands
- Singular third person form (usted form)
- Example: Hablar becomes habla
- Negative Informal Commands
- Add “no” in front of formal commands
- Pronouns go before the verb and after the negative modifier.
- No + tu form of present subjunctive (put verb in the opposite tu form)
- Ar = es
- Er/Ir = as
• Nosotros commands
- Used for “let’s + verb” when the speaker is included
- Use the nosotros form of present subjunctive
- Yo form, drop the -o, add nosotros ending
- To become negative, add “no”
• Irregular Commands
- Formed using subjunctive form
- DISHES
- Dar, Ir, Ser, Haber, Estar, Saber
9. 7. Object Pronoun Placement
• Direct Objects
- In affirmative sentences with one verb, the pronoun is placed directly before the conjugated verb.
- In affirmative commands, the pronoun directly proceeds the verb.
- Direct object must agree with the correct gender. (Masculine and feminine)
• Indirect Objects
- Same placement rules as direct objects.
• SE
- In sentences with indirect object pronouns and direct object pronouns, the IO comes first. Whenever - Se is used as a reflexive companion to the verb. (In addition to constructions of se)
10. 8. Present Subjunctive
- The subjunctive mood is used to show how the speaker feels about an (For an uncertain event)
- Start with the yo form of the present indicative, drop the -o, and add the - Example: Es importante que + verb
- Irregular yo forms of verbs keep the irregular form when conjugating to
11. 9. Subjunctive with Verbs of Will
and Influence
-Verbs of will and influence are often used when someone wants - Some impersonal expressions, such as es necesario que, es importante - The infinitive is used with words or expressions of will and influence, - Common verbs of will and influence:
querer - to want
preferir - to prefer
desear - to desire
insistir en - to insist
mandar - to command
prohibir - to prohibit
requerir - to require
exigir - to demand, require
recomendar - to recommend
pedir - to request/ask for
alentar - to encourage
decir - to tell, say
