Book #1, Chapter #2, Grammar, Set #1

Question 1

Give the endings for the present tense of Spanish -ar verbs by number and person.

Answer 1

First: singular: -o, plural: -amos
Second: singular: -as, plural: -áis
Third: singular: -a, plural: -an

Question 2

What is the rule for prepositions following words like mirar, buscar, escuchar, esperar, etc?

Answer 2

They do not need to be followed by a preposition, as in English.

Question 3

What three forms of English verbs are all conveyed by the present tense of Spanish verbs?

Answer 3

English has 1) the simple present (e.g. “Paco works in the cafeteris.”) 2) the present progressive (e.g. “Paco is working in the cafeteria.”) and 3) the present emphatic (e.g. “Paco does work in the cafeteria.”). All of these three forms of an English verbs are covered by the simple present tense of the corresponding Spanish verb.

Question 4

How do you use the Spanish verb “gustar” to express or ask about likes or dislikes?

Answer 4

Use “[indirect object pronoun] [conjugation of gustar] [definite article corresponding to thing you like or dislike] [thing you like or dislike]”.

For example:
“No me gustan las clases de ciencias.”: “I don’t like science classes.” (literally: “Science classes do not please me.”).

You can also use the other indirect object pronouns to express the likes and dislikes of other parties:

“Nos gusta trabajar.”: “We like to work.”

You can also add the Spanish preposition “a” followed by an indirect object pronoun to add emphasis:

“A me, no me gusta los dulces.”: “I didn’t like the sweets.”

Question 5

What are the three ways to form a question in Spanish?

Answer 5

1) Give a declarative question the upward lilt of a question when speaking.
2) Invert the order of the subject and verb – put the verb before the subject:

“?Trabajan ustedes los sabados?”: “Do you [plural “you”] work on Saturdays?”

“?Regresa a las seis Carlota?”: “Does Carlota return at six?”

3) Add the confirmatory (“tag”) phrases “?no?” or “?verdad?” at the end of a declarative sentence:

“Ustedes trabajan los sabados, ¿no?”: “You [plural “you”] work on Saturdays, don’t you?”

“Carlota regresa a las seis, ?verdad?”: “Carlota returns at six, right?”

Question 6

Give the conjugation of the present tense of the verb “estar”.

Answer 6

First Person: Singular: estoy; Plural: estamos
Second Person: Singular: estás; Plural: estáis
Third Person: Singular: está; Plural: están

Question 7

In what cases do you use the verb “estar” to mean “to be”? In what cases do you use the verb “ser”?

Answer 7

“Estar” is used for less permanent states of being, such as when discussing location, health, or well-being. It is also usually used with prepositions and adverbs to describe the position of an object. “Ser”, on the other hand, is used to describe permanent states, such as identity, occupation, origin, or telling time.