Help with grammar in a paragraph I wrote

Question

Hi Everyone! I am new to the board here, though I have been using the dictionary all semester. I am hoping someone might be able to help me out with the grammar in this paragraph I wrote for my class. Our instructions were to write the advantages and disadvantages of la siesta. So below, in bold, is the paragraph I wrote and I would appreciate any corrections on grammar/spelling/tense, etc.

La siesta es muy importante en países como España, Italia, Grecia y Portugal. No es tan popular en los Estados Unidos. Las ventajas de la siesta son: (1.) Los empleados pueden almorzar con sus familias. (2.) Estudiantes pueden descansar después de sus clases. También pueden comer y hablan con sus amigos. (3.) Las personas pueden ir al gimnasio antes de regresan al trabajo o clase. Las desventajas de la siesta son: (1.) Las personas tienen sueño después de una siesta. A veces no quieren volver al trabajo or clase. (2.) Cuando están durmiendo, las personas pierden tiempo. (3.) Las tiendas están cerradas y nadie puede ir de compras durante la siesta.

2) *Los* estudiantes ... But I'll leave the grammar to the experts :) - jellonz, Mar 21, 2017

Answer 1

Kennak:

Your Spanish appears practically perfect. On the other hand, the advantages and disadvantages that you list mostly seem to deal with the long break for lunch in Spain which is called "el descanso para comer" (the break or rest period for lunch)

The siesta is a nap which is often taken after this meal. Many people eat the meal, but don't take the nap. So, it appears to me that if you were asked to write about the siesta...you need to redo several of the pros & cons. If you were asked to write about anything you want, just change "siesta" to "el descanso para comer" and the rest of your essay should be great.

Congratulations on your Spanish. It is very good.

You used an "or" instead of an "o" one time.

Also, you might like to know that many stores remain open during this break. True, many do not, but there is a mix, and if someone wants to go shopping during this break they can do so.

BTW, there is a short phrase "la hora de siesta" which refers to the period of time after lunch. Many employees are given 2+ hours for lunch in Spain. Most eat first, and then there is "la hora de siesta" at the end of this break period. Some nap and some do other things, which you allude to in your essay. BTW, if I were you, I wouldn't scrap what you wrote (unless you have a word limit.) I would modify so you can talk about the long break for lunch in addition to talking about the siesta.

Thank you, Ken, for your thorough answer! To give a little more background on the assignment, my class is using the "Vistas" Spanish textbook. We had to read this article on "La siesta." In the article it doesn't mention "el discerns para comer," - kennak, Mar 22, 2017

but rather seems to be referring to la siesta as this period of rest, which includes the nap. So that's why I wrote about the other benefits of that time period of the day. Thank you for your advice about "la hora de fiesta" too! - kennak, Mar 22, 2017

You're welcome: I'd suggest that you read the siesta wikipedia article in English, and then in Spanish. BTW I should have written "la hora de siesta, not fiesta" I've corrected that now. - DilKen, Mar 22, 2017

Answer 2

(2) Los estudiantes pueden--- También pueden comer y hablar con sus amigos.

"--antes de regresar---"

¡No está mal!

Thank you!! I get a bit confused about when to conjugate and when to leave it in the infinitive form with multiple verbs in a sentence! :P - kennak, Mar 22, 2017