Spanish language Q&A Forum

This same issue was asked 5 years ago, and a  new specific lesson would be helpful. (more than the current article on neutral lo)

Here is what I asked ChatGPT

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tell me more about the use of "lo" in  "lo suficiente"  and "lo habitual", with grammar explanation and more examples of both

ChatGPT said:

The word "lo" in phrases like "lo suficiente" and "lo habitual" serves as a neutral article that turns adjectives, adverbs, or phrases into abstract nouns. This structure is often used to express qualities or degrees of something in a general, impersonal way.

Explanation of "lo" in these phrases:

Lo suficiente: Here, "lo" makes the adjective "suficiente" (sufficient) into a concept or a general idea. Instead of referring to something specific, "lo suficiente" means "enough" in a more abstract way, as in "the sufficient amount."

Example: No hemos hecho lo suficiente para resolver el problema.

(We haven't done enough to solve the problem.)

Lo habitual: Similarly, "lo" turns the adjective "habitual" (usual) into an abstract noun, referring to "what is usual" or "the usual thing."

Example: Llegó tarde, como lo habitual.

(He arrived late, as usual.)

Why is it 'como se llama' or 'como se llama usted' - not 'como te llama'?

If the following is true:

Bear in mind that used as adjectives, the hundreds must agree with the noun they accompany: 

Había veinte mil trescientas personas en el concierto.

There were twenty thousand three hundred people at the concert.

Then why is the following the opposite?

Ciento is invariable and doesn't have to agree with the noun it accompanies, for example:

Ciento treinta y cinco mil casas

One hundred and thirty-five thousand houses

My native language is Swedish. In all the above examples we would also use the infinitive. If this was a course for Swedish speaking people, this lesson would be unnecessary! Is Spanish grammar generally more similar to Swedish grammar than to English grammar? I don't know, but probably not.

This was just a reflection, not a question that I expect to be answered.

¡ Guau! He leído las preguntas y respuestas sobre la voz pasiva y la pasiva refleja, y me ayudó muchisimo.

Muchas gracias a los estudiantes por tus preguntas especificas y claras. Y muchas gracias a Inma por tus descripciones claras y simples. 

I have a question about the placement of the subject when using la pasiva refleja.

First, the examples ...

Se buscan secretarias con experiencia.

Aquí se vende el periódico barato.

Se venden apartamentos de lujo en la playa.

Mis cortinas nuevas se han hecho en dos días.

Las negociaciones se harán pronto.

In the top 3 examples the subjects are:

secretarias con experiencia, el periódico barato y apartamentos de lujo.

In the last 2 examples, the subjects are:

Mis cortinas nuevas y las negociaciones.

Obviously, the position of the subjects is different. Is there any reason or do they have the same meaning?

Could, for example, the first 3 sentences be written as..

Secretarias con experiencia se buscan.

 El periódico barato se vende aquí.

Apartamentos de lujo se venden en la playa.

?

Por fin...

Could the last two sentences be written as ..

Se han hecho mis cortinas nuevas en dos días.

 Se harán las negociaciones pronto.

??

Muchas gracias de antemano!

I have a question. 

Ojalá llegaran a tiempo a la estación para coger el tren que sale esta noche a las diez. (clearly referring to the future)

Here llegaran is subjunctive because of Ojala, but why is it sale (preterite) instead of saldre (future)?

Por favor ayudarme! :)

In a previous question, mover was used in a present tense (Ella mueve...). However, in this quiz, mover was used in a reflexive tense (El perro se mueve). How do we know when to use or not use the reflexive tense?