Spanish Grammatical Pitfalls

Choose the correct translation for the following sentence: A coffee cup

• Una taza para cafe

• Una taza cafe

• La taza para cafe

• La taza cafe

Answer explanation

Nouns are not to be used as adjectives as is often done in English. We MUST use prepositions such as "de" or "para" before the noun that in English would be used as an adjective. Example= Un reloj de oro: a gold watch

Life is a dream

• Vida es un sueno

• La vida es sueno

• La vida es un sueno

• Una vida es un sueno

Answer explanation

The definite article is used before nouns modified by an adjective

I am a teacher

• Soy un profesor

• Soy profesor

• Soy el profesor

Answer explanation

"Un, una "are omitted before a noun denoting rank, occupation, nationality, or religion.

Example: Soy catolica, soy trinitario.

But

Soy una catolica seria.

Soy un trinitario trabajador

What happens to the following adjectives when placed before a MASCULINE and SINGULAR noun?

Malo, uno, alguno, ninguno, primero, tercero

• NOTHING

• You drop the "O"

The tallest boy in the class.

• El muchacho mas alto en la clase

• El muchacho mas alto en clase

• El muchacho mas alto de la clase

• El muchacho mas alto

Answer explanation

After a superlative "in" is translated by "de".

I have more than 10 friends

• Tengo mas de diez amigos

• Tengo mas que diez amigos

Answer explanation

Before numbers "de" is used instead of "que".

During the vacation, he would play football

• Durante las vacaciones, jugo' al futbol

• Durante las vacaciones jugaba al futbol

• Durante las vacaciones, jugaria al futbol.

Answer explanation

The imperfect is used for habitual action or actions indefinitely repeated. English would often use "would" or "used to".

There is much to do.

• Hay mucho que hacer

• Hay mucho hacer

• Alli es mucho hacer

He is right.

• Es derecha

• Esta derecha

• Tiene razon

He asked me for 10 dollars

• Me pregunto' 10 dolares

• Me pidio' 10 dolares

• Me pedio' por 10 dolares

• Me pregunto' 10 dolares

Answer explanation

Pedir means "to ask for"

Preguntar means " to ask a question"