Need help with constructing sentences in Spanish.

Question

I've been taking a Spanish course in High School and I'm sort of having trouble forming sentences. I have a workbook that we use to practice, but I'm not entirely sure if I'm on the right track. I was hoping that someone would be able to help me with this issue.

Example 1 - Q: Create a sentence using Tú/ Preparar/ Una Ensalada - A: Tú estás preparando una ensalada.

Example 2 - Q: Create a sentence using Andrea y yo/ desayunar/ la cocina - A:Andrea y yo estamos desayunando en la cocina

Example 3 - Q: Describe what this person is doing using yo. (They are writing a letter in the picture) - A: Yo estoy escribiendo una carta

Example 4 - Q: ¿Cree Ud. que es un restaurante elegante? - A: Si, el restaurante es elegante.

These are a few of the examples from my workbook. Any feedback/help would be greatly appreciated on whether or not I'm creating these sentences properly.

Welcome to SpanishDict. Where are your attempts? - rac1, Mar 19, 2015

Their attempts are after the "A:" ;) - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015

I was under the impression that these are Examples in the textbook. - rac1, Mar 19, 2015

Sorry about that, I should have made it a bit more clear. =P - Pattlll, Mar 19, 2015

Oh, I made the assumption that "whether or not I'm creating these sentences correctly" meant they were their answer. I can see that this could be interpreted in different ways. - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015

Answer 1

Example 1 - Q: Create a sentence using Tú/ Preparar/ Una Ensalada - A: Tú estás preparando una ensalada.

Example 2 - Q: Create a sentence using Andrea y yo/ desayunar/ la cocina - A:Andrea y yo estamos desayunando en la cocina

Example 3 - Q: Describe what this person is doing using yo. (They are writing a letter in the picture) - A: Yo estoy escribiendo una carta

Example 4 - Q: ¿Cree Ud. que es un restaurante elegante? - A: Si, el restaurante es elegante.

Other than lack of the tilde on sí, your sentences look good to me.

But- depending on what the workbook is asking for:

1 You are overusing subject pronouns- when they are obvious, and not desired for emphasis, they are not used in natural Spanish- so you would not include the tú and yo.

2 You are using present progressive instead of present indicative- if that is desired, okay. But present progressive is not used much in Spanish, and only to emphasize the ongoing nature of the action. In most cases were we use it in English, present indicative is more naturally used in Spanish.

Thank you for your response, I really appreciate the tips. =) - Pattlll, Mar 19, 2015

De nada. :) - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015

Answer 2

This is from an article I saw on Spanish.about.com and address the issue of whether you can have a change of subject without the appearance of a new clause and by simply using the infinitive. This addresses question #3 and we really want to say that I saw them doing something:

Following verbs of observation: After verbs of observation — the most common are ver (to see) and oír (to hear) — the infinitive can be used to describe already completed action by someone other than the main subject of the sentence. These sentences in Spanish are structured much the same as those in the examples immediately above; the person performing the action of the second verb is indicated by an indirect object. In English, the infinitive cannot be used this way.

English sentence would or could use the gerund (the "-ing" form of the verb).

Examples: Te vi salir. (I saw you leave.) ¿Me oíste cantar? (Did you hear me sing?) Violeta te miraba dormir. (Violeta watched you sleep.)

So, the following would be correct grammar.

Yo los vi escribir una carta.

I saw them write (ing) a letter.

Note that article only refers to completed actions in the past, so the jury is still out in terms of either of these constructions without a separate clause set off my que, cuando, etc.

Yo los veo escribir una carta.

I see them write a letter.

Yo los veo escriendo una carta.

I see them writing a letter.

I would be fascinated on hearing from a native speaker as to their opinion on use of the gerund, the infinitive, and a clause with que I note that the native who answered chose the clause with que. - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015

Agree, I too would like to hear. Also, whether it needs to be a completed action or if it could be occurring. Los veo caminando en el parque. I see them walking in the park. OK or not? - DilKen, Mar 19, 2015

Answer 3

Example 3: I would say "Veo que estas personas están escribiendo una carta", because you have to describe what those people are doing.

My guess based on the level the exercise seems to be at, is that they are not yet advanced enough to write sentences with clauses. - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015

So could you avoid a clause by saying "Yo los veo escriben una carta" "I see them write a letter." or is the que necessary because if the change of subject? - DilKen, Mar 19, 2015

Que would be generally necessary, I think you could get away with "Yo los veo escribiendo una carta" but it would still be grammar that is too advanced for an early beginner. :) - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015

So, can you think of a way of using "yo" per the assignment and not get into anything advanced? - DilKen, Mar 19, 2015

I made the same assumption that the person asking the question did- write what is going on in the picture from the first person singular perspective- ie pretend you're the person in the picture who is writing. - bosquederoble, Mar 19, 2015