Part I
Starting with the Basics
In this part . . .
Consider this part the lighter side of Spanish grammar — strictly beginner stuff. Here, you get up to speed in a hurry with a brief overview of Spanish grammar; discover how to pronounce Spanish words so you can sound like you know what you’re talking about; figure out how to deal with nouns, articles, and adjectives in terms of number and gender; master the art of counting and telling time; and practice working with dates, days of the week, and months of the year.
If you’re ready to get your head in the game of Spanish grammar, you’ve come to the right place!
Chapter 1
Spanish Grammar in a Nutshell
In This Chapter
Getting to know your parts of speech
Taking a quick look at conjugating verbs in different tenses
Slapping together a simple sentence
Asking questions, posing conditions, and giving orders
Spanish grammar is fairly complex, so many people benefit from getting an overall picture of everything that’s involved — the framework on which all the details ultimately find their place — before they jump into any one part. This chapter presents this framework, bringing you up to speed in a hurry on Spanish grammar basics and rooting that framework in what you already know — English.
Luckily for everyone, the Spanish language is very phonetic, which makes speaking it fairly simple. Even so, you need to be aware of the importance of pronunciation when you’re learning Spanish to make sure that what you’re saying not only conveys the meaning you intended but also sounds grammatically correct. Skip to Chapter 2 for everything you need to know about Spanish pronunciation.
Recognizing the Parts of Speech
Learning a second language is a whole lot easier if you k...
