Spanish Grammar and Language Concepts
Structure of the Verb Phrase (SV)
The verb phrase requires a verb that can stand alone or with complements. The order of these complements can vary.
SV Function
The predicate always functions as SVES, which can be a predicate nominative or predicate verbal.
The Verb as the Nucleus
Verbs are characterized by:
- Meaning: They refer to actions, states, or processes.
- Form: They are variable words, consisting of a lexeme and morphemes indicating tense, aspect, mood, and number.
Text
The text is the maximum unit of communication. It can be oral or written, complete, independent, and of variable length.
Classes of Texts
- Informational
- Literary
- Persuasive
- Prescriptive
Text Structure
- Narrative
- Descriptive
- Dialogue
- Expository
- Argumentative
- Instructional
- Advertising
Functions of Language
- Referential: Provides objective information about events, people, objects, and ideas. Example: It’s sunny.
- Emotive: Expresses the speaker’s feelings, wishes, and opinions. Example: I like the rain.
- Conative: Aims to influence the receiver’s behavior.
- Phatic: Checks the communication channel. Example: Can you hear me?
- Poetic: Focuses on the aesthetic qualities of the message. Example: The chestnut handles the hearts of winter.
- Metalinguistic: Refers to the language itself. Example: “Haber” is written with an “h.”
Parts of Speech
Nouns
Nouns denote people, animals, or things. They can be formed through nominalization by adding suffixes like “-eria,” “-ado,” “-aje,” “-al,” “-ar,” “-dor,” “-dora,” “-ía,” “-ista,” or “-ing.”
Adjectives
Adjectives describe or qualify nouns (e.g., large house). They can be formed from nouns or verbs by adding suffixes like “-ero,” “-era,” “-ario,” “-aria,” “-il,” “-ico,” “-ica,” “-al,” or “-ar.”
Adverbs
Adverbs modify verbs. They are often formed by adding “-mente” to the feminine form of an adjective (e.g., wisely, foolishly).
Language Registers
- Formal: Used in technical, legal, and literary contexts.
- Standard: Used by the majority in public situations.
- Colloquial: Used in informal conversations.
- Vulgar: Characterized by incorrect language use.
Sentence Types
- Declarative: States a fact.
- Optative: Expresses a wish.
- Dubitative: Expresses uncertainty.
- Interrogative: Asks a question.
- Exclamatory: Expresses strong emotion.
- Imperative: Gives a command or request.
Semantic Change
Semantic change refers to the evolution of word meanings. For example, “centrifuge” originally referred to a chemistry technique but now has a broader meaning.
Causes of Semantic Change
- Changes in the designated object due to technological or historical advancements.
- Psychological associations between concepts.
Semantic Restriction
A word’s meaning can become more specialized. For example, “task” has become associated with bullfighting.
Semantic Broadening
A specialized word can enter common usage. For example, “adrenaline” has expanded beyond its biological definition.
Expressive Resources
- Metaphor: Using a word to describe something similar (e.g., “mouse” for a computer device).
- Metonymy: Using a word to represent something related (e.g., “cups” for the drinks they contain).
- Irony: Using a word with the opposite meaning.
- Ellipsis: Shortening a phrase (e.g., “coffee” instead of “cup of coffee”).
Verbal Periphrasis
A verbal periphrasis is the combination of two verbs, often with a conjunction or preposition. Examples include:
- Obligation/Necessity: tener que + infinitive, haber que + infinitive, deber + infinitive
- Probability/Possibility: poder + infinitive, deber de + infinitive
- Inchoative: ir a + infinitive, empezar a + infinitive, echarse a + infinitive
- Frequency: soler + infinitive
- Duration: estar + gerund, andar + gerund, ir + gerund
- Completion: acabar de + infinitive, dejar de + infinitive, haber + past participle
Sentences
A sentence is an independent grammatical unit with at least one predicate and a complete meaning.
Description
Describes people, animals, or things, either objectively or subjectively.
Verbal Periphrasis (repeated)
A verbal periphrasis combines two verbs: an auxiliary verb and a main verb.
Sentence Types (repeated)
- Declarative
- Optative
- Dubitative
- Interrogative
- Exclamatory
- Imperative
Semantic Change (repeated)
Semantic change is the modification of a word’s meaning.
Causes of Semantic Change (repeated)
- Changes in the object.
- Psychological associations.
Semantic Restriction (repeated)
Narrowing of a word’s meaning.
Semantic Broadening (repeated)
Expansion of a word’s meaning.
Expressive Resources (repeated)
- Metaphor
- Metonymy
- Irony
- Ellipsis