30.2 GRAMÁTICA / GRAMMAR

LAS ORACIONES CON AUNQUE

Sentences with aunque describe an obstacle that is not so serious that it will prevent completing the action presented in the main clause.

• Aunque estoy muy cansada, iré a la cena. = Estoy muy cansada, pero iré a la cena.

In these kinds of sentences, the cause produces an unexpected outcome.

• Aunque está lloviendo, no voy a coger el paraguas.= Está lloviendo, pero no voy a coger el paraguas.

Normally, given that it’s raining, you would take an umbrella. But for some reason you don’t this time. Perhaps the umbrella is inconvenient, you always misplace it or you simply prefer to walk in the rain.

Sentences with aunque express the idea that the outcome does not depend on certain factors, for example:

• Juan, aunque estudia mucho, va a suspender el examen.

In this case we know the outcome will be negative, even though Juan studies a lot.

PERÍFRASIS CON INFINITIVO (PERÍFRASIS ASPECTUALES)

These kinds of expressions are used to indicate distinct moments in the development of an action: the moment an action begins, its repetition, or an action that undertaken regularly.

They are not meant to be understood literally, word for word.

• For example, acaban de entrar means “they just came in”, not that something just ended

Acabar + de + infinitivo
This means that something was just done a moment ago.

–¿Tienes hambre?
–No, acabo de comer. = He comido hace un momento.

As you can see, though the verb acabar is in the present, the sentence refers to the past.

Volver + a + infinitivo
This is used to indicate that an action was or will be repeated.

• He vuelto a llamar. = He llamado otra vez.

No one actually returns anywhere; the action is simply repeated.

Soler + infinitivo
This means usually or regularly; that is, it indicates that an action is habitual.

• Suelo lavarme los dientes por la mañana. = Normalmente me lavo los dientes por la mañana.

Dejar de + infinitivo
This is used when someone gives up or stops doing something.

• He dejado de hacer deporte. = Ya no hago deporte.

It’s often used in the imperative.

• ¡Deja de hablar! = Ya no hables más.

Ponerse + a + infinitivo
This means to begin an action or activity.

• Me pongo a trabajar a las ocho. = A las ocho empiezo mi trabajo.

DEMOSTRATIVOS ESTE, ESE, AQUEL

In Spanish, space is divided into three distinct parts: aquí (here), ahí (there), and allí (over there).

Aquí: cerca del que habla.
Aquí denotes the space near to the person speaking, and is used with the demonstrative pronouns este, esta, estos, estas.

• Te voy a dejar este libro que tengo aquí en la mesa.

Ahí: cerca del que escucha
Ahí denotes the space near to the person listening, and is used with the demonstrative pronouns ese, esa, esos, esas.

• ¿Me enseña esos zapatos de ahí, por favor?

It can also be used to indicate something relatively close to both the speaker and listener.

• Mira ahí. ¿Ves ese edificio?

Allí: muy lejos de los hablantes
Something distant from both parties is expressed with the adverb allí, which is used with aquel, aquella, aquellos, aquellas. In general, these demonstrative pronouns are used less in colloquial speech.

• ¿Ves aquel coche allí lejos?

The demonstrative pronouns corresponding to distance can also be used to refer to the remote past.

• En aquella época yo era todavía un niño.
• En aquel momento no sabíamos qué hacer.

Demostrativos