Ambiguous Flashcards

Question

There is an error in the flashcards for "Aprender íngles" lesson 4. Going in order, card #20 says "You eat apples - Comen manzanas."

I'm not sure where to report this. Does this need to go to feedback?

Edit: Look below in answers for my reply to Qfreed and my clarification of the question.

Answer 1

comen means " they eat " . the flash card should have been more precise in say that the answer was to be address to a group of people who should be addressed with respect , therefore indicating that the "ustedes" was required .

"you all eat apples" would be 2nd person plural = coméis

saludos

The flashcard does say "you" so it should not be confused with "they". You all eat apples could either be said with vosotros (your example) or ustedes. - 0074b507, Jan 24, 2012

comen means they eat or you all (ustedes) eat - 0074b507, Jan 24, 2012

Answer 2

What is the error?

You (ustedes) eat apples.-Comen manzanas. (3rd person, plural, present tense, indicative mood of Comer. verb ending)... [2nd person, formal (ustedes)...you all]

The English sentence could either be a declaration (you all do eat apples) or an (awkward) formal command. You all, eat apples! - ¡Coman manzanas! 2nd person, formal command

Obviously the declarative meaning was chosen since the present indicative rather than present subjunctive form of the verb was chosen.

What do you think is in error?

---

where to submit errors

True, but everywhere I've seen it said more plainly that you was plural. It was a bit confusing. - Jadey7, Jan 24, 2012

Answer 3

Okay, I will clarify..

The problem I see is that the flashcard says "Comen manzanas = you eat apples." All other places that use "you" in that flashcard set say "Comes manzanas" (or whatever food word) or "Bebes _____." I do realize that, yes, "Comen" is used for plural, polite "you" (ustedes) but it is confusing (speficially to beginners) when it says "You eat apples" and the four answers to choose from are

a.) Bebo jugo

b.) Comen manzanas

c.) Como sandía

d.) Comes manzanas.

Obviously, a and c are wrong. However either b or c could be correct. While I realize that, a lot people who are just starting out (and this only lesson 1.4 in Aprender íngles) would be confused when they choose "Comes manzans" and it is wrong. My main complaint here is that it should be better marked. Error is likely not the best word, but I don't know what else to call it.

Ambiguous would be a good adjective. You are correct. This is a sentence where the subject pronoun needed to be included if "comen" was the correct answer. - 0074b507, Jan 25, 2012