Spanish language Q&A Forum

Hola,

re: punctuation:

Spanish dictation exercise SOUTH SUMMIT (A1)

Re: sentence in test: "en Madrid Barcelona Málaga Méjico y Colombia. "

I was wondering why there are no commas, as usually these would take commas? 

Also could you direct me to lessons on punctuation, it seems to be different than French and/or English.

I did a search but nothing came up.

Thank you, Nicole

I'm not great at grammar in my own language and before I started learning Spanish I didn't even know what the subjunctive was. So I've learned it's a sort of feeling expressing doubt or IF something were to happen or wishing? I can't quite see how "we're going to sit where there is shade" fits in the subjunctive. Doesn't it suggest certainty? Or am I wrong about this?

There is no hint to indicate whether "you" i singular or plural , familiar or formal.   Therefore we can be marked down if our choice of one of four possible correct responses is not the same as your choice.  

Though it is a bit formal sounding, another way to translate the passive form in English referring to a  '"general you", i.e. people in general ',  is "ONE must/can...". For example "One must always tell the truth".

I find that helps me differentiate between "you must" - debes (a specific person), and the passive "One must" - se debe (people/individuals in general) 

In the writing challenge 'Melon with ham' we are asked to translate "You just need to cut some melon slices"

I wrote "Solo necesitas cortar algunas rodajas de melón" and it was corrected with "unas rodajas".

I understood these were interchangeable, and I'm yet to find any definitive to the contrary. Could someone please explain my error here?

Saludos