Continue Learning Spanish
By Gerald Erichsen, About.com Guide to Spanish Language
- Nouns
- Adjectives and Articles
- Adverbs
- Tips for Learning
- Conjunctions
- Prepositions
- Pronouns
- Pronunciation
- Sentence Structure
- Teaching Resources
- Verb Tense, Mood and Voice
- Verb Usage
- Using Particular Verbs
- Verb Conjugation
- Verb Families
- Vocabulary Lessons
- Vocabulary Lists
- Word Choice
- Written Spanish
- Miscellaneous Grammar Lessons
Nouns
These lessons look at the variety of ways nouns are used in sentences.
- Rules of Pluralization
- Words With Two Genders
- Words That Break the Gender 'Rule'
- Using Infinitives as Nouns
- Words of Ambiguous Gender
Adjectives and Articles
Learn more about the words that are used to describe or point to nouns.
- Placement of Adjectives
- Adjectives Whose Meanings Depend on Location
- Use and Omission of the Definite Article
- Words of Possession
- Saying "Any"
- Invariable Adjectives
- Mascline Adjectives Ending in "-A"
- "El" and "La" in Country Names
- Adjectival Present Participles
Adverbs
These words are used to modify the meanings of verbs, adjectives, entire sentences and other adverbs.
- Adverbial Phrases
- Adverbs of Place
- "Atrás" and "Detrás"
- Using "Aquí," "Ahí" and "Allí"
- Saying "Maybe" in Spanish: Expressions of Possibility
Tips for Learning
Learning Spanish doesn't have to be a struggle. Here is some general advice for improving your Spanish as well as tips on mastering the particulars.
- 10 Mistakes To Avoid While Learning Spanish
- 10 Grammatical Mistakes You Can Avoid
- Tips for Learning Irregular Verbs
- How Can I Increase My Vocabulary?
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases and sentences together.
Prepositions
Prepositions are the most difficult part of speech for many students.
Pronouns
Pronouns can vary in form with number and gender as well as what function they serve.
- Subject Pronouns
- Prepositional Pronouns
- Direct Object Pronouns
- Reflexive Pronouns
- Neuter Pronouns and Articles
- 'Vos' in Argentina
- Indirect Object Pronouns
- Using 'Ser' with an Indirect Object
- Using 'Nadie'
- Interrogative Pronouns: "Qué" vs. "Cuál"
Pronunciation
One of the first things people will know about your verbal Spanish is how well you pronounce words. Here are some tips for improvement.
Sentence Structure
Spanish is more flexible than English is in terms of word order and other elements of sentence structure.
- Word Order in Spanish Sentences
- Using 'Se' as the Equivalent of the English Passive Voice
- The Versatile Past Participle
- Expressing Causation
- Introducing Afterthoughts and Offhand Remarks
- Reciprocal and Reflexive Sentences
- Expressing Disagreement
Teaching Resources
If you teach Spanish, these articles can help you help your students learn.
- Crucigramas: Make Spanish Crossword Puzzles for Your Classroom
- How Learning Styles Affect Learning
- Why Learn Spanish?
Verb Tense, Mood and Voice
The tense of a verb typically indicates the time element of a sentence, while the mood typically indicates the speakers perspective on what is being said.
- Two Past Tenses of Spanish
- Introduction to the Subjunctive Mood
- Tenses in the Subjunctive Mood
- Translating the English 'Would'
- Using Infinitives After Other Verbs With a Change of Subject
- Uses for the Future Tense
- The Conditional Tense
- Direct Commands
- Commands and Requests Without the Imperative Mood
- Polite Requests
- Future Subjunctive Mood
- Two Forms of the Imperfect Subjunctive
- Using the Subjunctive When Discussing Real Events
- Choice of Preterite or Imperfect Can Modify Verb's Meaning
- Using the Right Person of Verb
- Progressive Verb Forms
Verb Usage
These lessons explain how to use verbs in sentences.
- Spanish Reflexive Verbs Conveying Change in Emotion
- Reflexive Verbs With an Indirect Object
- Expressing Liklihood and Obligation With "Deber"
- Forma Reduplicativa (Repetition of the Subjunctive)
- Using Gerunds Without Auxiliary Verbs
- Saying "Could" in Spanish
Using Particular Verbs
Many of the verbs discussed in these lessons are used differently than are their English equivalents.
- "Ser," "Estar" and Marital Status
- "Saber" and "Conocer"
- Confusing Verb Pairs
- Using "Gustar"
- Verbs Similar to "Gustar"
- "Tener" Used To Express Emotions, States of Being
- More Idioms Using "Tener"
- Existential "Haber"
- "Haber" as an Auxiliary Verb
- Idioms Using "Haber"
- Using "Haber De"
- The Power of "Poder"
- Expressions Using "Ir"
- Using "Hacer"
- Using "Llevar"
- Other Meanings of "Estar"
- "Doler," the Painful Verb
- Using "Llegar"
- Using "Esperar"
Verb Conjugation
In Spanish, verbs change form depending on tense, mood, person and number.
- Spanish Verb Conjugations
- Conjugation in the Subjunctive Mood
- Irregular Past Participles
- Why Are There Two Conjugations for the Imperfect Subjunctive?
Verb Families
Through the use of prefixes, you add to the verbs you already know. You'll find that many of the verbs with prefixes are related to verbs in English. And when the root verb is an irregular verb, the verbs derived from it are typically conjugated in the same way.
- Verbs Derived From "Sentir"
- Verbs Derived From "Poner"
- Verbs Derived From "Tener"
- Verbs Derived From "Seguir"
Vocabulary Lessons
Improve your ability to say what you want to say as you expand your vocabulary with these lessons.
- Word of the Day
- False Friends
- Fickle Friends
- Verbs Derived from 'Poner'
- Prefixes
- Suffixes
- Diminutive Suffixes
- Augmentative Suffixes
- Compound Words
- Love Words
- Verbs Derived from 'Tener'
- The "Seguir" Family of Verbs
- Verbs Ending in "-ducir"
- Words for "Right"
Vocabulary Lists
These lists can be used for study or for the making of flashcards and quizzes.
Word Choice
Often when translating to Spanish, you may not know which word in he dictionary to use. These lessons can get you on the right track.
- "Querer" vs. "Amar" for "I Love You"
- Verbs Meaning "To Ask"
- Verbs Meaning "To Take"
- Translating "To Feel" to Spanish
Written Spanish
Here's what you need to know if you're preparing written materials such as correspondence and compositions.
- Angular Quotation Marks
- Orthographic Accents in Indirect Statements
- Using Your Keyboard To Make Spanish Accents and Punctuation in Windows
- Word Division in Spanish
Miscellaneous Grammar Lessons
For those that don't fit well in another category.