familiar commands

Question

I have tried and tried and don't understand what I am supposed to do because every answer I try is wrong! Except the first one! Can someone please help me to understand how I am supposed to do this!

Lee los problemas que tiene Alberto con su clase de español. Dale sugerencias usando los verbos entre paréntesis. Sigue el modelo.

Recibí una mala nota en la última prueba. (estudiar) Estudia más.

No pronuncio bien algunas palabras. (practicar)

Casi no puedo escribir con fluidez. (escribir)

No comprendo las noticias en español. (escuchar la radio)

No comprendo bien las lecturas en español. (leer)

Siempre llego tarde a la clase de español. (llegar temprano)

Cometo muchos errores con los verbos. (practicar conjugación)

Answer 1

Do you understand in English what you have to do?

In the first one you need to conjugate the verb 'to practise' forming a command (imperative) suggesting how he might solve his problem. In English you'd say 'practice more'.

You can use the conjugate tool above to conjugate the given verbs in the imperative and thus make your suggestions and help Alberto not drop out of school.

Afowen, I may be mistaken, but before going to the conjugation step, lets help Amy understand the question in English first. Then we can help her with the conjugation part. Is this okay with you? - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

I really like your effort to help Amy learn. It's nice to have members who want to share their knowledge! - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

Thanks Bandit - she seems to have got it! - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

Good job afowen! - 002262dd, Apr 5, 2012

Answer 2

We understand Amy, with my opening question, I am asking if you understand the question in English first. If you can do that step, then you know the answer to the question in English.

Once you know what the answer in English is, you will be able to understand how to arrive at the Spanish answer.

We are trying to help you learn good study habits, in a step by step manner. As you get better with this technique, you will understand more easily. Give us your best attempt in English. It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong. Now take a deep breath and write down what the Spanish words to this question means to you. "No pronuncio bien algunas palabras".

It's about showing you how to make a net, rather than throwing you a fish - far more helpful in the medium term... - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

But I think that she really doesn't understand the directions. I believe that she isn't seeing the words in the sentence, so she doesn't know what to do. Please see my post. This would mean that she is maybe not understanding the Spanish of the instructio - kdrinning, Apr 4, 2012

Yes, afowen, exactly! Don't give up on yourself or us Amy, you can do this! - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 3

Amy on this one "No pronucio bien algunas palabras.", what does it mean in English?

If you aren't sure, make an attempt first. And we'll help you.

Answer 4

I second Bandit's response. Make a try with the answers and the forum members can explain why your answers are right or wrong.

There are articles in the Spanish grammar section on both positive and negative informal commands.

Since these are positive commands, you would basically use the 3rd person singular indicative form of the verb.

Example: No pronuncio bien algunas palabras. (practicar) Practica más.

Suggesting using the indicative is misleading to a learner. Although the 2nd person imperative conjugates the same as the 3rd person indicative it's a different mood... - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

Noetol, if you 2nd Bandit's response, you should vote for it. That is how reputation points are gained. - kdrinning, Apr 4, 2012

Noetol, I appreciated your attempts and effort to help and share your knowledge. - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

KD - I voted. Thanks for pointing that out. - Noetol, Apr 4, 2012

Afowen - This is what is said in the SD learning section : Affirmative Informal Tú Command Forms For the familiar affirmative commands, you will simply use the 3rd person singular form of the present indicative. - Noetol, Apr 4, 2012

My point is that although the conjugation is the same it's important to the learner to understand the difference between different moods and tenses. - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

And although that in this instance the result of the conjugation is the same, it is not the 3rd person singular indicative rather the 2nd person singular imperative. - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

Bandit - Thanks! - Noetol, Apr 4, 2012

Not to belabor the point, but I think Amy just wanted a quick and easy way to get the right word. - Noetol, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 5

I have figured out the answers but because I used the conjugation tool, now I wish I knew how to do these without that!! Thank you all for all the help! I truly wasn't trying to ask for the answers but how to conjugate them!

No pronuncio bien algunas palabras. (practicar) Practica más

Casi no puedo escribir con fluidez. (escribir) escribe más

No comprendo las noticias en español. (escuchar la radio) escucha más radio

No comprendo bien las lecturas en español. (leer) lee más

Siempre llego tarde a la clase de español. (llegar temprano) llega más temprano

Cometo muchos errores con los verbos. (practicar conjugación) practica más conjugación

OK, the problem here is that you did not explain yourself well. Everyone was trying to help you by teaching you how to think for yourself while learning Spanish. Next time, instead of "I can't do it." you have to try to explain "why?" you can't. - kdrinning, Apr 4, 2012

Good work Amy. Don't get down on yourself regarding using conjugation tables, that's how most people learn when they learn a second language. Initially, cojugation in Spanish is tough as there are so many different verb conjugations. It does get easier... - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

Yes, Amy you've worked really hard on this and in time the understanding you are seeking will be there. We are here to help you along your journey to learn Spanish! - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 6

I understand your frustration. I think that the problem is that the words that you are meant to conjugate do not appear in the sentence. In my opinion, this is what your instructor wants:

Sentence 2: No pronuncio bien algunas palabras. (practicar)

You should find a way to integrate a conjugation of practicar into the sentence. In English, this might be "I can't pronounce some words well, so I must practice." Now, try to say this in Spanish. The other examples are the same.

I think this should solve your problem. Let me know if this is not what you need, and we can discuss some more exactly what you are having trouble with.

Well, I may not have approached this well, but at least it's nice to know we were all trying! - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

Yes, we made a valid attempt. I believe that she needed to explain exactly why she didn't understand. I still am unsure of this! lol - kdrinning, Apr 4, 2012

BTW, I think that you approached this very well. I voted for your response! - kdrinning, Apr 4, 2012

Muchas gracias, kdrinning! - bandit51jd, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 7

I would attempt to do these exercises but I don't understand how to do them! I am not asking for the answers I am asking how to do them!

I've explained above Amy what you need to do, is there anything in what I've written that you don't understand, if so I'll explain more betterly. - afowen, Apr 4, 2012

Amy - please go to the learning section. http://www.spanishdict.com/topics/show/65 - Noetol, Apr 4, 2012

Answer 8

It looks like you've got some great help here Amy - if you would like to read an article on giving commands then you may also find this helpful Giving Commands In Spanish and also How to form the Present Subjunctive Mood

Answer 9

You are supposed to make up sentences suggesting the remedy to each by converting the infinitive of the verb to the imperative and in all cases you take the R off the end and add another letter and the letter that you add depends on whether it is an AR, IR or ER verb, with Ar verbs you just take off the R and leave it at that I won't tell you about the Er and Ir verbs just consult our conjugation tool and take it from there.

Answer 10

Sorry - entered in error