Contrast or correction in context: Ambiguous.

Ian B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Contrast or correction in context: Ambiguous.

No me ha regalado nada material ________ ha reservado un billete para Cancún para dos. He diI thought n't give me anything material but he booked a flight to Cancun for two.sino quesinopero

I thought long and hard before answering this onr.  Although it fits the patter nor using sino que, if is a  correctionof  the first statement, the second statement is a contrast:  something practical rather than something material.  It is ambiguous depending on the circumstances and "pero" can be used following both positive and negative first statements. 



Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Ian,

Yes, it is quite hard in negative sentences. I see what you mean, but I see the second sentence more of a "substitution", which would use "sino que". It is substituting the material present with something that is not material, " a trip to Cancún".

I will look into this a bit more anyway.

Saludos

Inma

Ian B. asked:

Contrast or correction in context: Ambiguous.

No me ha regalado nada material ________ ha reservado un billete para Cancún para dos. He diI thought n't give me anything material but he booked a flight to Cancun for two.sino quesinopero

I thought long and hard before answering this onr.  Although it fits the patter nor using sino que, if is a  correctionof  the first statement, the second statement is a contrast:  something practical rather than something material.  It is ambiguous depending on the circumstances and "pero" can be used following both positive and negative first statements. 



Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your Spanish level for FREE

Test your Spanish to the CEFR standard

Find your Spanish level
I'll be right with you...