Book #1, Chapter #8, Grammar, Set #1 Flashcards
What is the rule about stem-changing -ar, -er, and -ir verbs in the preterite?
-ar and -er stem-changing verbs have no stem change in the preterite, while -ir stem-changing verbs do.
How do -ir stem-changing verbs change their stems in the preterite tense?
-ir stem-changing verbs change their stems in their third person singular and plural forms in the preterite. This change is only from “e” to “i” or from “o” to “u”.
For example:
(e -> i): pedir: pidìo, pidieron
(o -> u): morir: muriò, murieron
What is the rule about the placement in the sentence of indirect and direct object pronouns when they are both used in the same sentence?
The indirect object pronoun always precedes the direct object pronoun.
For example:
A) La camarera me muestra el menù. -> La camarera me lo muestra.
B) Nos sirven los platos. -> Nos los sirven.
C) Maribel te pidìo una hamburguesa. -> Maribel te la pidìo.
What is the rule about using two pronouns that both begin with the letter “l”?
Two pronouns that both begin with the letter “l” cannot be used together. Thus, the indirect object pronouns le and les always change to se when they are used with lo, los, la, and las.
What is the rule about using clarifying pronouns along with “se”?
Because “se” has multiple meanings, Spanish speakers often clarify to whom the pronoun refers by adding a usted, a èl, a ella, a ustedes, a ellos, or a ellas.
What is the rule about using double object pronouns with an infinitive or present participle?
Double object pronouns may be placed before the conjugated verb or attached to the end of the infinitive or present participle.
For example
A) Te lo voy a mostrar. -> Voy a mostràrtelo.
B) Nos las estàn comprando. -> Estàn compràndonoslas.
What is the rule about using accent marks with double object pronouns and infinitives or present participles?
When double object pronouns are attached to an infinitive or a present participle, an accent mark is added to maintain the original stress.
What are comparisons of inequality and how do you express them in Spanish?
Comparisons of inequality are phrases that express that something has more or less of a particular quality than something else. You form comparisons of inequality in Spanish by placing màs (more) or menos (less) before an adjective, adverb, or noun, and then que (than) after that adjective, adverb, or noun.
For example:
A) Los bistecs son màs caros que el pollo. Steaks are more expensive than chicken.
B) Me acuesto màs tarde que tù. I go to bed later than you.
How do you use comparisons of inequality with numerical expressions?
“De” is used before the number instead of “que”.
Examples:
A) Hay màs de cincuenta naranjas. There are more than fifty oranges.
B) Lllego en menos de diez minutos. I’ll be there in less than ten minutes.
How do you make a comparison of inequality with a verb?
Use the construction “[verb] + màs/menos que” to form the comparison.
Examples:
A) Mis hermanos comen màs que yo. My brothers eat more than I (do).
B) Arturo duerme menos que su padre. Arturo sleeps less than his father (does).
When do you use the irregular forms of grande and pequeño and when do you use the regular forms of these adjectives?
When grande and pequeño refer to age, the irregular comparative forms, “mayor” and “menor”, are used. However, when these adjectives refer to size, “màs grande” and “màs pequeño/a” are used.
What is the special rule about the comparative forms of “bien” and “mal”?
These adverbs have the same comparative forms as the adjectives bueno/a and malo/a.
How do you form superlatives in Spanish?
el/la/los/las + [noun] + màs/menos + [adjective] + de. The noun can be omitted if the person, place, or thing referred to is clear.
Examples:
1)
¿El restaurante Las Delicias?
Es el màs elegante de la ciudad.
The restaurant Las Delicias?
It’s the most elegant (one) in the city.
2) Recomiendo el pollo asado. Es el màs sabroso del menù. I recommend the roast chicken. It's the most delicious on the menu.
How do you form the absolute superlative in Spanish and what does it mean?
The absolute superlative is equivalent to “extremely”, “super”, or “very”. To form the absolute superlative of most adjectives and adverbs, drop the final vowel, if there is one, and add “-ísimo/a(s)”.
