Idioms, Idiomatic Usage, and Structures
A0: Entry Level
- How to say How are you? in Spanish as a greeting
- Using Soy de [city/country] to say where you are from in Spanish
- Using me llamo [name] - to say your name in Spanish
- Saying your age in Spanish: Tener [número] años = To be [number] years old
- Using hay = there is / there are in Spanish
- How to say I work/You work/What do you do? in Spanish with the verb trabajar
- How to say I have / you have in Spanish (possession)
A1: Beginner
- Polite request in Spanish: querría, quería and quisiera to politely say "I would like"
- Using doler in Spanish to say that something hurts
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to express an essential or permanent characteristic
- Using hace to talk about the weather in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to say when / where something takes place
- Using vez/veces = time/times in Spanish
- Using hay, está, or an impersonal verb to talk about the weather in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to talk about time, days, dates and seasons
- Using the present tense in Spanish to talk about regular actions (El Presente)
- Telling the time in Spanish
- Using deber, poder, querer in Spanish + infinitive to express must, can, to want to (Verbo modal)
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to introduce people
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar in Spanish (not ser) when talking about locations
- Using gustar in Spanish to say you like something
- Using hace to talk about the weather in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to identify things
- Using gustar in Spanish + verb to say like [doing something]
- Difference between hay and está in Spanish
- Using A + la/las + [time] to say at what time something takes place in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to describe relationships
- Using necesitar in the present tense to express a need (to do something) in Spanish
- Expressing obligation with tener que in Spanish
- Using hay, está, or an impersonal verb to talk about the weather in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to express origin or nationality
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser in Spanish (not estar) to say what you do for a living
- Using the verb llamarse in Spanish in the present tense to say what someone's name is (Verbo reflexivo)
A2: Lower Intermediate
- Spanish verbs Traer vs Llevar (to take/to bring)
- Spanish personal "a" verbs (ver, visitar, buscar, conocer)
- When to use the perfect tense versus the simple past (Perfecto vs Indefinido)
- "There was"/"there were" in Spanish: había
- Using the verb tomar for having food/drink
- Using todavía no with El Pretérito Indefinido = not yet (negative expression)
- Using the preterite tense in Spanish to talk about experiences
- Using the infinitive (not the gerund) as the subject/object of the verb
- Using todavía/aún for "still"
- Talking about measurements and distances in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (not ser) when talking about feelings and emotions
- How to say "something bores/annoys/saddens you" in Spanish
- Using definite articles + mismo to say "the same" in Spanish
- Talking about measurements and distances in Spanish
- When to use the perfect tense versus the simple past (Perfecto vs Indefinido)
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (not ser) when talking about physical condition of something, someone or a place
- Spanish perception verbs: Most verbs of perception usually use the present, not the modal poder
- Using ser+preposition para (not estar) to indicate a recipient
- Using ser (not estar) with the preposition para, to indicate a purpose
- Difference between hay, ahí and ay
- Hay que in Spanish (expressing obligation)
- Using gustar to say you like something (he likes, she likes, we like, you like, they like)
- Using es bueno/malo or está bien/mal in Spanish
- Using the perfect tense in Spanish (not the preterite) to talk about experiences
- Talking about decades in Spanish
- How to use Spanish question tags: ¿no? ¿verdad?
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (and not ser) to express relationship statuses
- Sentir vs Sentirse (to feel) in Spanish
- How to say "to love something/doing something" in Spanish
- Using todavía no with El Pretérito Perfecto = not yet (negative expression)
- Using desde (hace) with the present instead of the perfect tense to express since/for
- Acabar de + [infinitive] = to have just done / just did something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Expressing instructions and general statements in Spanish with the impersonal se = one
- Use "hace" for "ago" with the preterite tense (El Pretérito Indefinido)
- Forming Spanish exclamatory sentences with qué [noun] or qué [adjective]
- Verbs jugar and tocar: differences
- "There was"/"there were": hubo
B1: Intermediate
- Use the Spanish near future (not the present progressive) for future arrangements
- Exclamatory sentence in Spanish: qué + noun + más/tan + adjective
- Spanish Había vs Hubo (Imperfect vs Preterite)
- Expressing the beginning and end of a period or space in Spanish
- Spanish verb gustar and similar verbs in past tenses
- Using the imperfect vs the preterite in Spanish (time markers)
- How to say "to be looking forward" in Spanish with tener ganas and estar deseando
- Using dejar de + [infinitive] = to stop doing something/to give up something
- Empezar/comenzar a = to begin/start doing something (perífrasis verbal)
- Spanish verbs Pedir vs Preguntar (to ask)
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (not ser) + de for a temporary job
- Spanish verbs Llevar vs Llevarse (pronominal verbs)
- Using terminar de+ [infinitive] = to finish doing something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using estar (not ser) + preposition a with fluctuating quantities and prices
- Using Hace + length of time + que + present tense in Spanish to say how long one has done something
- Using the conditional in Spanish to express hypothesis/wish/suggestion in the present or future
- Using the pluperfect tense to indicate that a past action happens before another past action (El Pluscuamperfecto)
- Using estar hecho de or ser de to indicate what something is made of in Spanish
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Using ser de (not estar) to indicate ownership
- How to say "on the one hand, on the other hand, in addition" in Spanish (connectives)
- Using llevar + present participle to express duration of an action in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Mientras with the present indicative or the present subjunctive in Spanish
- Using the Spanish verb "tardar" = to take time
- Using ojalá + the present subjunctive to express hope (El Presente de Subjuntivo)
- Using the present tense in Spanish in order to refer to a future action (only future time indications)
- Ser vs Estar in Spanish: Use estar (not ser) to talk about dates, days of the week and seasons (colloquial)
- Using the gerund in Spanish to say by [doing something]
- Using Cuánto + noun in exclamations about quantities in Spanish
- Using the present tense in Spanish for making suggestions
- Using a/desde/hasta + age in Spanish
- Using ir in the imperfect tense in Spanish to express was/were going to [do something]
- Using volver a + [infinitive] to express repetition of an action in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Using the Spanish preterite tense combined with cuando + the Spanish imperfect tense
- Using the subjunctive or the indicative after tal vez and quizás to express doubt in Spanish
- Using por qué no/y si/ qué tal si for suggestions in Spanish
- Spanish verbs Quedar, Quedarse and Quedarle (Different meanings of verb quedar)
- Using poder to say could [do something] for polite requests and suggestions in Spanish (El Condicional Simple)
- Forming the Spanish passive se with modal verbs deber/poder (la pasiva refleja)
- Using "o sea/es decir" to clarify, explain and express a consequence in Spanish
- Using esperar que + present subjunctive in Spanish to express hope
- How to say I think so/I guess so /I hope so in Spanish
- Using gustar in the conditional in Spanish = would like [to do something]
- Forming the Spanish passive with se (la pasiva refleja)
- Use Hace + length of time + que + the preterite tense in Spanish to say how long ago something happened
- Difference between Spanish verbs saber and conocer (to know)
- How to say to lend/to borrow in Spanish with prestar/pedir prestado
- Using Estar a punto de + [infinitive] = to be about to do something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Different meanings of the Spanish verb contar
- Using acabar/terminar + [infinitive/present participle] = to end up doing something in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Si [if] followed by present indicative + main clause (present tense/future tense)
- Using "menos" to say except in Spanish
- Si [if] followed by present indicative + main clause [command/request/advice]
B2: Upper Intermediate
- Pedir followed by the Spanish present subjunctive to ask someone to do something
- Using [verb] + tan + [adjective/adverb] + que to say "so... that..."
- Yo que tú / Si yo fuera tú / Yo de ti for If I were you in Spanish
- Using the Spanish present subjunctive with verbs giving advice / order (sugerir, recomendar, prohibir)
- Using Spanish verb volverse to express to become/to turn (verbs of change)
- Using [verb] + tanto/a/os/as + [noun]+ que = [verb] so much/many...that...
- Using the imperfect vs the preterite in Spanish (general use)
- The conditional simple + que + the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish (wish, advice, feelings)
- Pedir followed by the Spanish imperfect subjunctive to ask someone to do something
- Using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive with verbs giving advice/order (sugerir, recomendar, prohibir)
- Using Spanish demonstrative adjectives to refer to time (present, past and future)
- Some adjectives change meaning in Spanish when used with ser or estar
- Using Spanish conjunction al + infinitive/perfect infinitive = when doing/ because of doing [something]
- Using preposition a + infinitive to express a command in Spanish
- Quedarse + [gerund] = to do something continuously in Spanish (perífrasis verbal)
- Using se debe/se puede to say You must/you can (impersonal sentences)
- Antes de/Después de followed by haber + participle in Spanish
- Using Spanish verbs seguir/continuar + present participle = to keep on [doing something]
- Using por poco/casi/un poco más y + present tense for nearly/almost in Spanish
- Spanish verb "faltar": different meanings
- Spanish impersonal statements followed by the infinitive or by the subjunctive with que
- Using antes de que/después de que with indicative or subjunctive in Spanish (subordinate time clauses)
- Using the Spanish subjunctive with negative opinion phrases
- Using the Spanish subjunctive with verbs that express "wish" and "feeling"
- Using convertirse en / ponerse / hacerse / quedarse to express "to become" (Spanish verbs of change)
- Using dársele bien/mal algo to say you are good/bad at something/doing something
- Cuanto/mientras más/cuanto menos... for The more/The less... in Spanish
- Verbs ver, oír, escuchar, oler, sentir, encontrar in the imperfect
- Using quisiera for I would like (alternative to querría)
- The Spanish imperfect progressive vs the Spanish preterite progressive (was +ing)
- Using the Spanish subjunctive with impersonal expressions in the conditional (Sería+adjective+que)
- Using the Spanish subjunctive with impersonal expressions
- Using haber to say would have [done something] in Spanish
- Using the Spanish indicative with a lo mejor/igual/lo mismo
- How to say to have something done in Spanish - mainly beauty and body contexts
- Using Spanish verb gustar to express personal attraction
- Using poder in the present perfect and the preterite for "could" in past actions
- Using the Spanish subjunctive after "puede que" to express possibility
- Using the Spanish subjunctive to express doubt or uncertainty
- Using the Spanish indicative with a lo mejor/lo mismo
- Spanish impersonal sentences using the ellos form of the verb
- Como / cuando / donde / quien with indicative or subjunctive in Spanish
- Using the Spanish gerund to say while [doing something]
- Using the Spanish conditional simple to express probability/speculation about the past
- Spanish verbs Perder/perderse (pronominal verbs)
- Using desde que / hasta que (since/until) with Spanish indicative and subjunctive (subordinate time clauses)
- Using que to introduce a warning or threat in Spanish
- Para que followed by the present subjunctive in Spanish (purpose subordinate clauses)
- Using the Spanish present perfect subjunctive after esperar que to express a completed action in the future
- Para que followed by the imperfect subjunctive in Spanish (purpose subordinate clauses)
- Using que to express cause in Spanish
- Using the Spanish subjunctive with verbs that express "wish" and "feeling" (conditional in the main clause)
- Using Qué poco/s + verb/noun to express surprise about a small quantity or infrequency
- Using hacer with subjunctive/infinitive for to make [someone] do something in Spanish
- Using the infinitive to express a request/command/give instructions in Spanish
- Using poder in the preterite vs the imperfect in Spanish (could in past actions)
- How to use olvidar/olvidarse for "to forget" in Spanish (pronominal verbs/accidental se)
- Spanish modal verbs in progressive tenses
- Using the Spanish present perfect subjunctive after esperar que to express a completed action in the past
- Using poder to say could have [done something] in Spanish (modal verbs)
- Spanish modal verb Deber versus Deber de (obligation and assumption)
- Using haber + participle: perfect infinitive in Spanish
- Ojalá with past tenses in the subjunctive in Spanish
- How to say "must have [done something] in Spanish with the verb deber
- Using the Spanish conditional simple to talk about a future in the past
- Using the Spanish imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses introduced by si followed by the Spanish conditional simple
- Spanish verb sobrar: different meanings
- Using the Spanish future perfect to talk about the past (El Futuro Perfecto)
- Using ser de un/una [noun]
- Using the "accidental" reflexive (se) with an indirect object pronoun
- Using Spanish verb ser in the imperfect vs the preterite
- Using the Spanish perfect future to talk about completed actions in the future with reference to another future action (El Futuro Perfecto)
- How to say I can't wait/I can't wait to do something in Spanish with no ver la hora
- Using querer in the preterite vs the imperfect in Spanish
- Aunque + the present indicative vs the present subjunctive in Spanish
- Verbs ver, oír, escuchar + infinitive/gerund
- Using Hacía + length of time + que + the Spanish imperfect tense to express duration in the past
- Using Spanish verb estar in the imperfect vs the preterite
- Por culpa de/gracias a = because of/thanks to in Spanish
- Spanish verbs Decir vs Contar (to tell)
- Using Spanish verb tener in the imperfect vs the preterite
C1: Advanced
- Using ser fácil/difícil + infinitive vs ser fácil/difícil de + infinitive
- Using the pluperfect subjunctive in hypothetical clauses (si) followed by the perfect conditional/ the pluperfect subjunctive
- Using ir + y / agarrar + y to introduce something unexpected and sudden
- Introducing a causal clause with "por eso/aquello de..." (causal subordinate clause)
- Using ¿a que...? to seek confirmation / threaten / predict
- Si + Imperfect subjunctive for "if only/I wish"
- Using modal verbs in the passive voice in Spanish
- Darle a alguien por [hacer] algo = to take up something/to feel like doing something (perífrasis verbal)
- A tan solo + [length of time] + de for just [some time] before
- Using the Spanish present tense to order, advise or make a request
- El/la/los/las + noun + que + verb to indicate quantity/intensity (exclamations)
- Using tener + past participle to express the completion of an action (perífrasis verbal)
- Using lo de que / lo de to refer to something already mentioned
- La de + noun + que + verb to intensify
- Using llevar + past participle to express the completion of an action so far (perífrasis verbal)
- Using Estar por + infinitive to express feeling tempted/having the intention to do something (perífrasis verbal)
- Using the simple future and the perfect future to express surprise or rejection
- Haber de + infinitive to express formal obligation or future action (perífrasis verbal)
- Using que at the beginning of a question to express disbelief (without a written accent)
- Using "cómo no" to say "of course"
- Lo que + verb + subject for emphasis
- Using dar de + infinitive with eating and drinking related verbs
- Using the simple future or the perfect future to express objection/disbelief to a statement said before
- Using the Spanish imperfect tense to refer to a present action/future action
- Using "cómo es que/cómo que" for "how come/what do you mean?"
- Using con lo cual / por lo cual to mean therefore (connectives)
- Spanish verb Pensar + infinitive to express intention
- Using andar + present participle to express "going around" [doing something] (perífrasis verbal)
- Using ir + y / coger + y to introduce something unexpected and sudden
- Using ser de un (adjective) que
- Using the imperative of mirar/oír with specific meanings -irony, attention, supposition
- Using con lo que + indicative for despite
- Tal como/cual = Just as... (subordinate manner clauses)
- Using "como si" in Spanish with indicative to express indifference
- Using hacer/mandar + infinitive in Spanish for "to have something done"
- Estar para + infinitive to say someone/something is ready for something
- Using the Formal Pronominal Passive Imperative in orders/instructions in Spanish
- Subjunctive + relative pronoun or adverb + subjunctive = whatever/wherever/whenever/whoever
- How to say to have something done with a sentence using the verb in the 3rd person plural
- Repetition of a word to give emphasis in Spanish
- Using "ya" with the Spanish Future to mean soon/at some point in the future
- Using Cómo/dónde/quién/qué + ir a + infinitive to state the obvious/impossible
- Tocar + infinitive for "it is time for someone to do something"
- Using the simple conditional or the perfect conditional to express objection/disbelief to a statement said before
- Forming the Spanish passive with "estar" (pasiva de estado)
- Using "anda, anda que, anda que no" for surprise, encouragement, emphasis (interjections)
- Using Qué + noun/adjective/adverb + que + subjunctive to express feelings
- Using Spanish verb venir a + infinitive to indicate approximation/end of a process (perífrasis verbal)
- Using the Spanish expression "no salirle algo a alguien"
- Using que si...que si... in Spanish
- Using "y eso que" in Spanish for despite/even though
- Using Ni que + subjuntivo in Spanish
- Using the simple conditional/the simple future to narrate past actions in Spanish
- Cuando + the imperfect subjunctive
- Using Spanish verb temer(se) with indicative or subjunctive
- Using ir + present participle to emphasise the progression of an action (perífrasis verbal)
- Using Spanish verb venir + present participle (perífrasis verbal)
- Using "como si" + the imperfect subjunctive for an ironic reproach
- Spanish verb Tratar/ Tratar de and Tratarse de
- Using que to express purpose in Spanish
- Using the Spanish gerund as a command
- Using poner/poner(se) + a + infinitive = to start to carry out an action (perífrasis verbal)
- Using ir por to express what point/stage someone has reached
- Using "a ver" for "let's see"
- Using dar algo por + past participle/adjective
- Using the present in Spanish to narrate past events
- How to say to remind someone of something with the verb recordar
- Using haber + past participle for you should/shouldn't have done something
- A + [time] + de + infinitive for within + [time] of + gerund
- Using ser or no ser + mucho de/ muy de/ tanto de/ más de + infinitive
- Using gustar de [algo/hacer algo] in Spanish to formally express liking
- Using Spanish verb verse + past participle (perífrasis verbal)
- Por mucho / más / muy que for no matter how much
