Grammar Lesson U— PREPOSITIONS Prepositions are used to

Grammar Lesson U— PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are used to relate two elements of a sentence, such as noun to noun, verb to noun,
verb to infinitive, etc.
1. When a noun is modified by a preposition -+- noun, the prepositional phrase is equivalent to
an adjective.
un anillo de oro
a gold ring (a ring of gold)
un vaso de agua
a glass of water
un. vaso para agua
a water glass (a glass for water)
2. When a verb is modified by a preposition + noun, the prepositional phrase is equivalent to an
adverb.
Sale con frecuencia.
He goes out frequently (with frequency).
3. The second element may be a pronoun or an infinitive.
Entra en el.
He enters it.
Comienza a leer.
He begins to read.
For a list of common prepositions, see page 176.
PREPOSITIONS BEFORE INFINITIVES
In Spanish, the only verb form that may follow a preposition is the infinitive, regardless of the
English translation of the verb.
Ces6 de Hover.
It stopped raining,
Acaba de entrar.
He has just entered.
Se desayun.6 despues de vestirse.
He ate breakfast after getting dressed,
I. VERBS REQUIRING a BEFOKE AN INFINITIVE
Verbs expressing beginning, motion, teaching, or learning, and a number of other verbs, require the
preposition a before an infinitive.
comenzar a]
empezar a , . . ,
>io begin to
ponerse a
principiar aj
apresurarse a, to hasten (hurry) to
ir a, to go to
regresar a, to return to (to ... again) •motion
salir a, to go out to
venir a, to come to
volver a, to return to (to ... again)
ensefiar a, to teach to
aprender a, to learn to
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acertar a, to happen to (by chance)
acostumbrarse a, to become accustomed to
aspirar a, to aspire to
atreverse a, to dare to
convidar a, to invite to
decidirse a, to decide to
dedicarse a, to devote oneself to
disponerse a, to get ready to
invitar a, to invite to
negarse a, to refuse to
obligar a, to obligate, to compel to
resignarse a, to resign oneself to
PREPOSITIONS
Comenzo a trabajar.
Saldre a saludarle.
El maestro Ics enseno a hablar.
•Los aluimios aprenden a leer.
Acert6 a pasar por allf.
Me obligo a pagarle.
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He began to work.
I will go out to greet him.
The teacher taught them to speak.
The pupils learn to read.
He happened to pass by there.
He compelled me to pay him.
II. VERBS REQUIRING de BEFORE AN INFINITIVE
acabar de, to have just
acordarse de, to remember to
alegrarse de, to bo glad to
cesar de, to stop
dejar de, to fail to, to stop
encargarse de, to take charge of
olvidarse de, to forget to
tratar de, to try to
Acabamos de estudiar.
Se alegran de estar aquf.
A las tros ceso de Hover.
Juanito dejo de preparar la leccion.
We have just studied.
They are glad to be hero.
At three o'clock it stopped raining.
Johnny failed to prepare the lesson.
III. VERBS REQUIRING en BEFORE AN INFINITIVE
consentir en, to consent to
consistir en, to consist of
convenir en, to agree to
empenarse en 1 , . . ,
. .
> to insist on
msistir en
J
tardar en, to delay in, to be long in
Consintio en ir al bailc.
El verdadcro estudio consiste en leer y
She consented to go to the dance.
True study consists of reading and reviewing.
re pasar.
Se empeno en vender la casa.
El treu no lardara en llegar.
He insisted on selling the house.
The train won't be long in coming.
IV. VERBS REQUIRING con BEFORE AN INFINITIVE
amenazar con, to threaten to
contar con, to count on, to rely on
Le amenazo con pegarle.
Cuento con ganar el premio.
Suena con ir a Espana. .
sonar con, to dream of
He threatened to spank him.
I count on winning the prize.
He dreams of going to Spain.
Y. PREPOSITIONS COMMONLY USED BEFORE INFINITIVES
a, to, at
al -f- inf., upon
antes de, before
con, with (sometimes to or of)
de, of, to
despues de, after
Al entrar, vio a su hija.
Antes de salir, preparese.
Despues de descansar un rato, se levanto,
Se aeostt) en vez de estudiar.
Salid sin decir nada.
en, in, on, of
en lugar de
instead of
en vez de
hasta, until
sin, without
Upon entering, he saw his daughter.
Before going out, prepare yourself.
After resting a while, ho got up.
He went to bed instead of studying.
He left without saying anything.
Note
A. Other uses of prepositions will be found in the section on idioms, pages 256-258.
B. Whenever prepositions are followed by the infinitive, the subject of both verbs (main verb and
infinitive) is unchanged. If the subjects are different, que is required and a "conjugated" verb
form is used instead of the infinitive.
Me alegro de estar aquf.
Me alegro de que Vd. este aqui.
I am glad to be here.
I am glad that you are here.
Insiste en vender la casa.
Insiste en que su marido venda la casa.
She insists on selling the house.
She insists on her husband's selling the house.
He ate breakfast after preparing the coffee.
Se desayun6 despues de preparar el caf<i.
Se desayuntf despu6s-(de) que su madre pre- .He ate breakfast after his mother prepared
the coffee.
paro el cafe".
VI. VERES THAT Do NOT REQUIRE A PREPOSITION BEFORE AN INFINITIVE
deber, ought to, must
dejar, to let, to allow
desear, to wish, to desire
esperar, to hope, to expect
hacer, to make, to have
(something done)
lograr, to succeed in
Debo ir a la cscuela hoy.
No me dejan salir.
Hizo construir una casa.
Pienso comenzar mafiana.
Suele volver a las doce.
necesitar, to need
oir, to hear
pensar, to intend
poder, to be able, can
preferir, to prefer
pretender, to attempt
prometer, to promise
querer, to want, to wish
saber, to know (how)
soler, to be accustomed to,
usually
ver, to see
I ought to go to school today.
They don't let me go out.
He had a house built. .
I intend to begin tomorrow.
He usually returns at twelve o'clock.
PREPOSITIONS
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PERSONAL A
The personal a is used before the direct object of a verb if the direct object is a noun denoting a
definite person or anything personified.
1. Definite person
Visita a sit amigo (a sus padres, a Roberto^
etc.).
He visits his friend (his parents, E-obert, etc.).
2. Domestic animals (pets, etc,}
Quiere a su perrito (a Fido, a su goto, etc.).
She loves her little dog (Fido, her cat, etc.).
3. Geographic names (unless preceded by the definite article]
Desea vera Espana (a Mexico, a Nueva York,
etc.).
but
Desea ver la Argentina (los Estados Unidos,
el Perii, etc.).
He wants to see Spain (Mexico, New York,
etc.).
lie wants to see Argentina (the United States,
Peru,- etc.).
4. Pronouns referring to persons, even though used in a negative sense
Veo a alguien,
I see someone.
No veo a nadie.
I see no one.
Note
A. The personal a is not translated into English.
B. The personal a-is not used with the verb tener.
Tengo un amigo.
I have a friend.
PARA—FOR
I. THE USES OF para
1. Para means for in the sense of purpose, use, destination, for (by) a time in the future, considering that (in spite of the fact that). It is also translated in order to, to, by.
Estudia para aprender.
He studies in order to learn.
(purpose)
Es una caja Para dulces.
It is a candy box (a box for candy).
(use)
but
Compre" una caja de dulces.
I bought a box of candy.
Ayer sali6 para Espafia.
Yesterday he left for Spain.
(destination)
Para el vierncs estara completo.
For (By) Friday it will be complete.
(future time)
Para extranjero, habla bien el ingle's.
For a foreigner, he speaks English well.
(in spite of being)
2. Para also means para ser.
Estudia para me"dico.
He is studying to be a doctor.
II, THE USES OF por
I. Por means for in the sense of in exchange for, period or extent of time, for the sake of.
Pag6 un ddlar^or el cuehillo.
He paid a dollar for the knife.
(exchange)
Fue al campo por dos meses.
He went to the country for two months.
(period)
Todo lo hagojjor ti.
I do it all for you.
(sake)
2. Por also means for after the verbs ir, enviar, luchar, Uamar, preguntar, •
Fue (Envi6, Llamo, Pregunto) por el medico.
He went (sent, called, asked) for the doctor.
3. Por also-means during and is often translated by in.
Por la tarde juego al tenis.
In the afternoon I play tennis.
4. Por expresses the idea of rate and is equivalent to per.
Gana cincucnta ddlares por semana.
He earns fifty dollars per (a) week.
5. Por also means by, through, along.
Fueron atacados por sus enemigos.
They were attacked by their enemies.
El viajar^or avion es mas rapido.
Traveling by plane is faster.
Entraron por la ventana.
They entered through (by) the window.
Pasare" por esa calle.
I'll pass along (through) that street.
The following verbs are not followed by por or para, since the word for is part of the meaning
of the verb.
buscar, to look for (to seek)
esperar, to wait for (to await)
pedir, to ask for (to request)
Buscaron un asiento.
They looked for a seat.
Quiero pedir\& un favor.
I want to ask a favor of you*
(I want to ask you for a favor.)
Espero dos horas a su amiga.
He waited two hours for his girl friend.
RTERCICIOS
A. Compl6ten.se las expresiones siguicntes:
EJBMPLO: a steel knife-—un cuehillo .....
1. a wooden cross
una cruz
2. a cotton skirt
una falda
3. the German class
la clase
4. a silk cape
una capa
5. .woolen socks
calcetines
6. family secrets
secretos
7. a straw mattress
un colchdn
8. a stone house
una casa
9. silver bracelets
braaaletes
10. a gold chain
una cadeiia
EJEMPLO: a medical school-run a escuela
11. a hair brush
un cepillo __.
12. a young ladies' school
una escuela
13. a book case
un estante
14. letter paper
papel
15. ladies', handkerchiefs
paftuelos
16. a fever remedy
un remedio
17. cigar tobacco
tabaco _,
18. wine grapes
uvas
19. window glass
vidrio
20. a candy box
una caja
B. Llenense los espacios con la preposicidn correcta, si hace falta. Si no hace falta una prepo
sici6n, escribase una raya (—).
1. No se atrevid
He didn't dare to reply.
replicar.
2. Asisti6 a un partido
beisbol.
3. Leyo" el telegrama
entenderlo.
4. El rey consinti6
renovar el castillo,
5. Le ataron con una cadena
6; Me enseno
hierro.
9. No pudo
registrar la casa.
realiaar sus suefios.
partir, dio un abrazo a su madre.
13. Acertd
pasar por alii.
14. En tales casos suele
amigos.
15. Se march.6
los premios.
16. No me encargare'
17. Gesd
distribuir
gobernar el pals.
Hover a las tres.
He was poor before realizing his dreams.
Upon leaving, he gave his mother a hug.
He happened to be passing there.
consultar a sus
,
The detective intends to search the house.
They decided to confess.
confesar.
11. Era pobre
They tied him with an iron chain.
He could not overcome his fury.
dominar su furia.
10. Se decidieron
The king consented to remodel the castle.
He drank a glass of water.
agua,
8. El detective piensa
He read the telegram without understanding it.
He taught me to write.
escribir.
7. Bebi6 un vaso
12.
He attended a baseball game.
In such cases he usually consults his friends.
He left after distributing the prizes.
I will not take charge of governing the country.
It stopped raining at three o'clock.
18.
Les amenaz6
qucniar su casa.
19.
El prisionero quierc
20.
Las tropas tardaron
He threatened to burn their house.
cscaparsc.
The prisoner wants to escape.
_ avanzar.
The troops delayed in advancing.
C. Subrayese la palabra o raya outre pare'ntesis que complete correctamente la frase.
1.
El zapatoro tropcz6 (coa, en) ol carnicero.
2. Desde el baledn mird (—, a) una esccnn, alcgro.
3. Querian ver (—, a) Francia.
4. El maestro no alabd (a, —) nadic.
5. La madre band (cl, al) pequcno Diego.
6. Piaarro fund6 (a, —) Lima.
7. Guardd (a, —) algo en el bolsillo.
8.
Cincuenta estados forman (a, —) los Estados TJnidos.
9. El dictador matd (—, a) sus adversaries.
10. Aguardaba (a, —) alguion en la csquina.
11. El agricultor bused (a, —) su hijo Alfonso.
12. El dcpcndiente bused (a, —) otro emplco.
13. Se cas6 (a, con) la bonita rubia.
14. Vio (a, —) uu animal en el bosque.
15. El rey condend (el, al) traidor.
16. La nina abrazd (a, —) su quurido perro Fido.
17. En la calle dio (con, a) uu grupo de turistas.
18. Fucron a visitar (a, —) la Argentina.
19. El lobo nos cspantd (•—, a) todos.
20. La aotriz conmovid (al, el) publico.
D. Comple'tense estas frases con para o por.
1. Las naranjas son bucnas
2. Se porta nuiy mal
3.
la salud.
reiua.
sus movimientos se notaba su inquictud.
4. Permanecid fuera de la ciudad
5. !Enccndi6 la hi?.
dos anos,
iluminar la sala.
6. En la tienda vio unas preciosas tazas
caf6.
7. jNIi nieta siempre tiene una sonrisa
8. El prisionero gano la libertad
9.
Al amanecer, salid
mi.
cngafio.
cl mercado.
10.
Siguid el curso de cstudios
ingcniero.
11.
Es iiecesario usar veneno
los insectos.
PREPOSITIONS
12'.
la semana que viene, estaremos en eammo.
13.
miisico profesional, toca niuy inal.
14. Se arro,j6 al agua
buscar el tesoro.
15. Estudia
16.
medico.
persona oulta, no es muy cortc"s.
17. Arm6 un cje'rcito
^
conquistar el pafs vccino.
18. La operacidn fue hecha
un me'dico hdbil.
19. La zapateria quedd cerrada
cinco dfas,
20. Busca varios estaiites
libros.
21. No voy a pagar tanto
^
las pcrlas.
22. Ese pintor no sirve
director do musco.
23. jGuanto daria yo
utia copa de vino!
24. En la batalla fue herido en la espalda
25. Sabfan
cl ruido que el-cuarto cataba lleno de niilos.
26. Aqui se entra
27. Pasd
28. Llamd
una mano misteriosa.
la pucrta, no
la plaza publica con paso rapido.
un medico.
29. El trees dc fcbrero salgo
30.
la ventana.
Europa.
el viernes estard terminado su chaleco.
E. Conte'stensc en espanol en frases completas.
1. ;,Ha visto Vd. alguna vez una explosion de dinamita?
2. ^Deja Vd. a su perrito corror por las callcs?
3. ^Ha comprado Vd. alguna vez una caja de dulces para su mama?
4. ;,Se alegra Vd. de podcr coutestar pcrfectamcntc a estas preguntas?
5. iLe gustaria a Vd. ayudar a las personas pobrcs?
6. (iAddnde va Vd. por la tarde? _ _
_
7. .jSucfia Vd. cou visitar a Espafia?
8. iGuauto pagarfa Vd. por un automdvil?
_.
_
__
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