Am I using the right grammer in this spanish paragraph?

Question

I have a writing assignment due in two days and I wonder of anyone can correct this? I am suppose to use the verbs in the preterite tense. I'm talking about my vacation last year.

English---I went to Cuzco in Peru last year (in December). I traveled by myself. The trip was very good!

First, I went to visit the historic center of Cusco. The center was very nice and big! Also, there was many foreign tourists and Peruvians. I walked a lot and got tired, so I went to a restaurant and sat down. I ate some chicken and fries. Later, I went to the hotel to rest.

When I woke up, I got dressed and took a taxi to Machu Picchu. The trip to Machu Picchu was long. It was boring. When I arrived at Machu Picchu I was happy. The ruins looked old but beautiful. I went on a tour with tourists and we were climbing the mountains.

Fui a Cuzco de Perú el año pasado (en Diciembre). Viajé por mí mismo. El viaje fue muy bien. Primero fui a visitar el Centro Histórico de Cusco. El centro fue muy bonita and grande! También, hay fue mucho de extranjeros turistas y Peruvians. Caminé mucho y cansé, así que fui a un restaurante y se sentó. Me comí algun pollo y papas fritas. Mas tarde, fui al hotel para descansar. Cuando me desperté, me vestí y tomé un taxi a Machu Picchu. El viaje a Machu Picchu fue aburrido y largo. Cuando llegué a Machu Picchu era feliz. Las ruinas parecían viejas pero hermosa. Fui en una excursión con los turistas y estábamos subiendo las montañas.

Does it make sense? I feel like should I say "Me fui a Cuzco..." or just keep "Fui"? Thank you for the help.

Hi. Is English your first language , you did not say in your profile ? - ray76, Jul 5, 2016

Welcome to the forum. Cuzco is lovely but the train journey is the best way to go. You wouldn't use me fui here as irse changes the meaning . I am about to go out so don't have time to correct at moment eg your use of hay. Buena suerte - Mardle, Jul 5, 2016

Small point in Spanish months and days of the week do not have capitals at the start. - Mardle, Jul 5, 2016

Yes English is my first lauguage. I'm taking Spanish 2 this summer but I still consider myself a Beginner. - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

If that's the case should I use "yo comí..."? instead of "me comí..." how am I suppose to know if I need to use indirect object pronouns with preterite? - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

Welcome to SpanishDict. Do you have a study guide? - rac1, Jul 5, 2016

Yes. ^^ - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

Are there any tutors that help me answer the question if I need to either use "me comi" or "yo comi"? Thank you. I hope this website will be helpful. - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

Answer 1

Viajé sola---el centro estuvo muy bonito ---También "hubo" muchos turistas.--y me cansé--fui a un restaurante y me senté ---estuve feliz ---las ruinas parecían (sounds correct to me but the instructions said "preterite" so) parecieron viejas pero hermosas. --Escalamos las montañas.

Regarding "comí" vs. "me comí" There is a difference. "Comí los tacos" I ate the tacos. "Me comí todos los tacos." I ate **up all the tacos.**

¡Atención hispanohablantes! Sé que este párrafo no está escrito en buen español. Hay lugares donde el tiempo imperfecto sería mas apropiado, pero éste es un ejercicio del "pretéito" así es que no se debe hacer tales cambios.

@Mariamars: Was the exercise limited to certain verbs? I used forms of "estar" rather than "ser" when I felt it was proper. I'm not sure as to what ALL the instructions were.

If you had given the English version, it would have been easier. All I could do was guess as to what you were trying to say.

Edit--

For "the trip was very good," I would now use: "El viaje fue (or estuvo) muy bueno." To state a fact "fue" to state an opinion-"estuvo."

I updated to enlglish. The excerise wasn't limted to certain verbs. I just need to descirbe what I did last vacation. As long I.... "Debes usar los verbos en el pretérito" - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

"...me vestí y tomé un taxi a Machu Picchu..." What does that actually sound like? What if I said "Yo vesti"? or do I say "me vesti y me tome"? I'm getting confused. - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

Are there any tutors I can pay to help me with this paragraph? I failed my first Spanish test and am trying to get better. Thank you. - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016

Me vestí is "I dressed myself." Vestí a mi hijo is "I dressed my son. You need to go to the grammar section and check out both reflexive pronouns and verbs. If you can't find it, PM me and I will send you a link. - Daniela2041, Jul 5, 2016

Answer 2

People here love to help beginners in Spanish. In the ask a question section, please note the rules for posting.

For proofreading help please always include the English version of what you are trying to say. Many members can also be contacted with a personal message (PM) by going to their profile and clicking on "send message" at the bottom left.

Please also use correct English grammar and spelling. You can either activate a spell-check on your device or search for "Capitalization" in the Search box on the Ask a question page.

I hope to see more of your questions as you learn Spanish.

Thank you for the clarification. - mariamars26, Jul 5, 2016