edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
- 1Try
- 2Learn
- 3Practise
- 4Check
“Se vende”: the passive that Spanish actually usesSaying things without naming who does them: “se vende piso”, “se venden pisos” —agreeing…“Llevo dos horas esperando”: two verbs working togetherThe everyday combinations: “acabar de” (just), “llevar” + gerund (have been), “ponerse…“Aunque llueve” or “aunque llueva”Choosing the mood after “aunque”, “a pesar de que” and “por mucho que” according to…“Llegó Ana”: the subject after the verbPutting the subject after the verb where Spanish prefers it: with verbs of happening…“Lo que quiero”: the neuter “lo”Using “lo” with an adjective (“lo bueno”, “lo difícil”) and “lo que” for “what”: “lo que…“Depender de”, “soñar con”, “pensar en”The preposition each verb demands, which almost never matches the English one: “depender…
Another oneKeep practising: SpanishThe rule, in three lines
Al principio locates something at the beginning of a period or process. En principio presents a plan or position as provisional, subject to confirmation or exceptions.
The usual slip. English “in the beginning” can suggest en principio, although the Spanish expression for the initial stage is al principio.
Why it catches you out. English “in the beginning” can tempt a literal Spanish phrase with “en”. The temporal beginning uses “al principio”, while “en principio” marks a provisional plan or position.
Continue along this corridor
- “Se vende”: the passive that Spanish actually usesSaying things without naming who does them: “se vende piso”, “se venden pisos” —agreeing…
- “Llevo dos horas esperando”: two verbs working togetherThe everyday combinations: “acabar de” (just), “llevar” + gerund (have been), “ponerse…
- “Aunque llueve” or “aunque llueva”Choosing the mood after “aunque”, “a pesar de que” and “por mucho que” according to…