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Gustar and other 'reverse construction verbs'.


We deal here with verbs similar to gustar (to like). This verb requires a construction apparently opposite to its English counterpart and is thus called a 'reverse construction verb'.

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Grammatical Notes


Question #1 - Gloss.?

A ellas su última novela, a mí sus cuentos cortos.

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #2 - Gloss.?

    que a ellos buena la clase.

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #3 - Gloss.?

    los anillos que a tu mamá.

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #4 - Gloss.?

    la natación y el ballet, pero la primera .

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #5 - Gloss.?

    tres lecciones para estudiar, entre ellas la que menos .

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #6 - Gloss.?

    los libros que más .

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #7 - Gloss.?

    estos próximos viajes. Ellos también entusiasmados por la idea de esos viajes.

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  • 2 valid answers. Can you find them all?

  • Question #8 - Gloss.?

    A tí las verduras y las frutas. Nosotros también ellas.

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  • Question #9 - Gloss.?

    veinte dólares en la billetera.

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  • Question #10 - Gloss.?

    que ellos hayan perdido esos vestidos que tan bien.

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  • 2 valid answers

  • Top

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?

    Back to question 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 1

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with a 'noun clause' subject.


    Sometimes the subject of the verb can be a 'noun sentence' which is always considered 'third person singular'.

    Hints?

    Back to question 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with a 'noun clause' subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?

    Back to question 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 2

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 3

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 4

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 5

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?

    Back to question 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Hints?

    Back to question 6

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?

    Back to question 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper passive transformation.


    Hints?

    Back to question 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper pseudo-passive for 'resultant state condition'.


    There is a set of Spanish verbs akin to 'reverse construction verbs' admitting a pseudo-passive construction using the verb estar instead of ser. These are the verbs of emotional reaction and the pseudo-passive expresses a 'resultant (emotional) state'. For ex., for aburrir:

    'Me aburre la película' -> 'Estoy aburrido por la película'.

    Hints?

    Back to question 7

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Comparing 'He likes oranges' to 'Le gustan las naranjas', the roles of subject and object of the respective verbs seem interchanged. 'Naranjas', the subject of 'gustar' corresponds to 'oranges', direct object of 'he likes', 'He', the subject in the latter corresponds to 'le', the indirect object in the former.

    Hints?

    Back to question 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper passive transformation.


    Hints?

    Back to question 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper pseudo-passive for 'resultant state condition'.


    Hints?

    Back to question 8

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Hints?

    Back to question 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 9

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with a 'noun clause' subject.


    Hints?


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with a 'noun clause' subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Not a valid choice.


    Improper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Hints?

    Back to question 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Correct!


    Proper agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.

    Hints?

    Back to question 10

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Grammatical notes for the drills in this page.


    We deal here with verbs similar to gustar (to like). This verb requires a construction apparently opposite to its English counterpart and is thus called a 'reverse construction verb'.

    The items covered are:


    1)- The 'reverse construction' required by the verb.


    Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 6 Quest. 8

    Comparing 'He likes oranges' to 'Le gustan las naranjas', the roles of subject and object of the respective verbs seem interchanged. 'Naranjas', the subject of 'gustar' corresponds to 'oranges', direct object of 'he likes', 'He', the subject in the latter corresponds to 'le', the indirect object in the former.

    A partial list of verbs of this type is:

    agradar, desagradar, gustar, apetecer, alegrar

    concernir, importar, parecer

    faltar, quedar, bastar, sobrar, caber

    caer, convenir, incumbir, cumplir, corresponder

    To this list should added the quite large set of verbs of emotional influence listed under 6). The first set does not admit 'the pseudo-passive of resultant condition' which the latter does.


    2)- The agreement of the verb with its grammatical subject.


    Quest. 1 Quest. 2 Quest. 3 Quest. 4 Quest. 5 Quest. 6 Quest. 7 Quest. 8 Quest. 9 Quest. 10

    One source of confusion is the failure to recognize the grammatical subject of the sentence, which has to show agreement with the verb. In the example 'me gustan las naranjas', the subject of the verb 'gustar' is 'naranjas'; the plural 'gustan' indicates agreement with the subject.


    3)- The agreement of the verb with a 'noun clause' subject.


    Quest. 2 Quest. 10

    Sometimes the subject of the verb can be a 'noun sentence' which is always considered 'third person singular'.


    4)- The use of 'emphatic' indirect object pronoun.


    Quest. 1 Quest. 2 Quest. 6 Quest. 7 Quest. 9

    Spanish can focus the attention of the sentence on the indirect object by bringing it to the front and adding an emphatic pronominal form before it. The latter can not stand alone, it can be only in addition to the indirect object.


    5)- The passive transformation.


    Quest. 7 Quest. 8

    English reverses the focus of a sentence from the subject to the direct object by switching to the passive construction. The passive is not available for the Spanish verbs we are considering since the objects are indirect objects and passive construction is only allowed for direct objects.


    6)- The pseudo-passive for 'resultant state condition'.


    Quest. 7 Quest. 8

    There is a set of Spanish verbs akin to 'reverse construction verbs' admitting a pseudo-passive construction using the verb estar instead of ser. These are the verbs of emotional reaction and the pseudo-passive expresses a 'resultant (emotional) state'. For ex., for aburrir:

    'Me aburre la película' -> 'Estoy aburrido por la película'.

    The following is a partial list of these verbs:

    aburrir, animar, asombrar, asustar, calmar, confundir, conmover, deprimir, desesperar, desilusionar, divertir, encantar, enfadar, enfurecer, enojar, entristecer, entusiasmar, espantar, extrañar, fascinar, ilusionar, inquietar, interesar, irritar, ofender, preocupar, sorprender.

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