How to Write Sentences in Spanish
- 1). Identify the subject of the sentence and the corresponding Spanish subject pronoun (yo, nosotros, ellos etc.). The subject pronoun is often eliminated in Spanish unless the subject is not made clear by the verb form or when the speaker wants to emphasize the subject. Note that in some cases the direct object in English becomes the subject in Spanish. This is true with constructions using verbs like "gustar". For example, the English sentence "I like oranges" becomes "Me gustan las naranjas" in Spanish. The direct object of the English sentence, oranges, functions as the subject in Spanish.
- 2). Conjugate the verb after determining the appropriate form, tense and mood. The Spanish verb tenses are past, present and future and the moods include the subjunctive, indicative, conditional and imperative. Note that many verbs take prepositions such as "casarse con" ("to marry"). Include the subject or subject pronoun if the verb form is ambiguous like in the case of "habla" that could correspond to one of four different subjects: he, she, it or you formal. The subject pronoun typically precedes the verb in Spanish unless the speaker wants to emphasize the verb: "Sufren mis padres" versus "Mis padres sufren" ("My parents suffer").
- 3). Identify any direct and indirect objects and the corresponding pronouns if applicable. Object pronouns can precede conjugated verbs or be attached at the end of present participles and infinitives. Compare "Lo voy a comprar" to "Voy a comprarlo" ("I will buy it") or "Javier le compra un coche a Juan" ("Javier buys Juan a car") to "Javier quiere comprarle un coche a Juan" or "Javier le quiere comprar un coche a Juan" ("Javier wants to buy Juan a car"). All the preceding constructions are acceptable in Spanish.
- 4). Select any necessary adjectives and adverbs. In Spanish, adverbs are placed near the verbs they modify: "Siempre cantan los pájaros" or "Los pájaros siempre cantan" ("The birds are always singing"). Unlike English, adjectives in Spanish generally follow nouns: "la camisa azul" ("the blue shirt"). An adjective can take on a different meaning if placed before a noun: "el raro libro" ("the rare book") versus "el libro raro" ("the strange book"). Adjectives of number and nondescript adjectives precede the noun in Spanish.
- 5). Review your sentence. Make sure that the verb is conjugated correctly and that all pronouns are appropriate and in the correct order. Add any necessary accent marks and punctuation. Note the placement of any adjectives or adverbs, spelling and gender and number agreement. Connect the sentence components together with a conjunction if required.
