Spanish Grammar & Writing Guide: Spelling, Acronyms, and More

Posted on Oct 6, 2024 in Physics

Spanish Spelling and Grammar Guide

Using C, Z, S, and X

The letters c, z, s, and x sometimes have similar sounds, making them tricky to use correctly. Here’s a guide:

Using Z

  • Before a, o, u: za, zo, zu (e.g., zapato, zona, zumo)
  • Exceptions with ze, zi: Zeus, New Zealand, Nazi
  • Word endings: pez, haz, lápiz

Using C

  • Before e, i: ce, ci (e.g., cera, cine)
  • Verbs ending in -acer, -ecer, -ocer, -ucir: hacer, crecer, conocer, conducir
  • Nouns ending in -ancia and -encia: fragancia, clemencia

Using S

  • Adjective endings: -oso/a (e.g., hermoso/a)
  • Superlative endings: -ísimo/a (e.g., rapidísimo/a)
  • Plural endings: Avoid errors like *”dos blusas”, *”los pájaros”

Using X

  • Between vowels, sounds like ks or gs: examen, exigir
  • Before consonants, can be confused with s: experiencia
  • Prefix ex-: expresar, exprimir (except sprint)

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Acronyms are formed by joining the initial letters of words:

  • Acronyms: Written in all caps (e.g., DNI), no accents or periods, plural form doesn’t change (e.g., un CD, dos CDs)
  • Initialisms: Lowercase or initial caps (e.g., ovni, láser), accented if needed, plural form changes (e.g., radares)

Pronunciation

  • Read as written: ONU, ESO, ONCE
  • Spelled out: TVE (te-uve-e), MP3 (eme-pe-tres)
  • Partially spelled: CD-ROM (ce-de-rom), PSOE (pe-soe)

Compound and Parasyntetic Words

  • Compound: Formed by joining lexemes (e.g., saca + corchos = sacacorchos)
  • Parasyntetic: Formed with prefix and suffix, where the word wouldn’t exist without both (e.g., a + terr + izar = aterrizar)

Expository Writing

Expository writing explains a topic clearly and objectively:

  • Objectivity: Presents information impartially, without opinions.
  • Clarity: Uses understandable language, clear sentences, examples, and comparisons.
  • Order: Presents information logically, building upon previous points.

Linking Words

Prepositions

Link words and phrases:

  • Examples: a, ante, bajo, cabe, con, contra, de, desde, en, entre, hacia, hasta, para, por, según, sin, so, sobre, tras
  • Prepositional phrases: delante de, debajo de, alrededor de, a causa de, por medio de, a través de, encima de, en ausencia de, fuera de

Conjunctions

  • Coordinating: Join elements at the same level (e.g., y, o, ni, pero, sino)
  • Subordinating: Join clauses, creating subordinate clauses (e.g., que, porque, aunque, como)
  • Conjunctive phrases: sin embargo, con tal que, puesto que

Interjections

Express feelings or greetings:

  • Proper: Always interjections (e.g., ¡ah!, ¡oh!)
  • Improper: Other word classes used as interjections (e.g., ¡oye!, ¡genial!, ¡madre!)