AB+INITIO-Common+Errors

** COMMON GRAMMAR ERRORS IN WRITING AND HOW TO FIX THEM **
 * Ab Initio Español- **

It is important that you always go back over your paper after you have written it and check for errors. Below are common errors that I have found in your Past Paper 2. These errors do affect your fluency and may affect your ability to get a high score in Criteria A: Language and Criteria B: Communication Skills on your Exam.

These are easy errors to make if you are in a hurry so you must always go back and edit your paper after you have finished and before submitting. Remember to do this in the mock exam! Read over the rules and do the exercises below and then correct your Paper 2 using what you have reviewed!

**I)** **Adjective/Noun Agreement: Make sure your adjectives always match your nouns!** **GRAMMAR-Adjectives**

Remember that descriptive adjectives usually **follow** the nouns they modify and **agree** in number and gender with the nouns they modify: un hombre **//alto//** una casa **//grande//** Tiene libros **//interesantes//**. Ana es **//perezosa//** Alberto y Juan son **//perezosos//**.

Adjectives of number or quantity generally precede the nouns they modif.. **//pocos//** hombres- few men **//todos los niños//**- every child

Common adjectives of quantity are: **mucho** **(-a)-**much **cada**-each/every **todos los (todas las)-**every **poco (-a)-** little **muchos (-as)-**many **varios (-as)-**several **todo (-a)-**all **pocos (-as)-**few **algunos (-as)-**some **otro (-a)-**another

Ejercicios: Traduce al español las expresiones en inglés. Elena es //a young girl//.___Elena es una chica //joven//__ Isabel es //Spanish//. -> Isabel es //española// Dé Ud. un libro a //each// alumno -> Dé Ud. un libro a //cada// alumno Estos hombres son //English//-> Estos hombres son //ingleses// Carlos y Alberto son //French//_> Carlos y Alberto son //franceses// Tiene //little// inteligencia-> Tiene //poca// inteligencia Berlin es a //German city//-> Berlin es //una ciudad alemana// Viven en //a yellow house//-> Viven en //una casa amarilla// Carlota y su hermano son muy //lazy//-> Carlota y su hermano son muy //perezosos// Mañana será //another day//-> Mañana será //otro día//

(NOTE: **Do not** put “un” in front of otro. It is INCORRECT!) El mesero nos trajo //another// plato - > El mesero nos trajo //otro// plato //green eyes//-> ojos verdes //the// //English language//-> la lengua inglesa //few persons//-> pocas personas //several weeks//-> varias semanas

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">**II)** **SER/ESTAR** GRAMMAR-Ser VS Estar USES OF ESTAR Estar is used to express: <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: 0.25in;">¿Dónde está Juan? Where is John?  Madrid está en España. Madrid is in Spain
 * 1) Location or position:

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 2in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Health Pedro **//está enfermo//**. Pedro is ill **//¿Cómo está//** Ud.? How are you **//Estoy bien.//** I am well.
 * 1) Condition-

Están trabajando.- They are working.
 * 1) With the present participle to form the progressive tense.

Common adjectives used with estar to express a change are- **abierto/a**-open **cerrado/a**-closed **ocupado/a**-busy **alegre**-happy **contento/a** –happy **sentado/a**-seated **ausente**-absent **frío/a**-cold **sucio/a**-clean **caliente**-warm,hot **limpio/a**-clean **triste**-sad **cansado/a**-tired **lleno/a**-full **vacío**-empty

USES OF SER <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Characteristics <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. Origin, possession, and material, with de. Juan **//es de España//**. John is from Spain. Esta falda **//es de México//**. This skirt is from México **Es** el libro **de Ana**. It´s Ann´s book. **Es** una corbata **//de seda//**. It is a silk tie.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">b. Occupation, profession, nationality, identification **//Es medico.//** He is a doctor **//Es el presidente//** He is the president. **//Son españoles.//**They are Spanish. **//La flor es una rosa.//** The flower is a rose. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Description <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">a. Color <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">b. Other descriptive adjectives. COMMON ADJECTIVES USED WITH SER- **alto/a**-tall **joven**-young **pobre**-poor **bonito/a**-pretty **Nuevo/a**-new **rico/a**-rich **grande**-large **peque****ño/a**-small **viejo/a**-old **bueno/a**-good <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Time and dates **//Es la una//**. It’s one o’clock. **//Es el dos de mayo.//** It is May 2. **Ejercicios-**Subraya la forma correcta de **ser** o **estar**. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Mis padres (son, __están__) bien. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Mis padres (__son__, están) buenos. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. La comida (__está__, es) bien. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. La comida (__está__, es) buena. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. Madrid (__es__, está) la capital de España. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. La sopa (es, __está__) caliente. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">7. (__Son__, Están) mexicanos. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">8. Mi tía (__es__, está) simpática. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">9. No (__soy__, estoy) vieja. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">10. (Soy, __Estoy__) muy ocupado. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">11. La cesta (es, __está__) debajo de la mesa. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">12. Mi amigo y yo (__somos__, estamos) felices. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">13. La caja (es, __está__) cerrada. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">14. Juan y yo (somos, __estamos__) tristes. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">15. El profesor (es, __está__) delante de la clase. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">16. Este tenedor (es, __está__) sucio. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">17. Los libros no (__son__, están) nuevos. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">18. Alberto (__fue__, estuvo) un estudiante. Traduce al español <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. The bed is confortable-> La cama es comoda <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. The food is delicious-> La comida es deliciosa <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. The mountains are tranquil-> Las montanas son tranquilas <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. I am stressed-> Estoy estresado <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. The restaurante was good-> El restaurante fue bueno <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. He is not well-> No está bien.

III. **PARA** **AND POR** **GRAMMAR-Por VS Para**

** USES OF PARA ** **Para** is used to indicate: (1) purpose, (2) use (3) destination (4) for a time in the ** future ** (5) considering the fact that (in spite of the fact that). Para is usually translated to, //in order to, for, or by.// 1. **Comemos para vivir.** We eat to (in order to) live.

2. **Es una caja para dulces.** It is a box for candy. **(use)** 3. **Salen para M****éxico.** They are leaving for México. **(destination)** **4. Lo necesito para mañana a las tres.** I need it for (by) tomorrow at three o´clock. **(future time)** 5. **Para un Viejo, es muy fuerte.** For an old man, he is very strong. **(in spite of being**) **__ USES OF POR __** Por is used when for means: (1) in exchange for, (2) for a period of time 1**. Pagué cinco dólares por la pluma**. I paid five dollars for the pen. 2**. Estudió por una hora.** He studied for an hour.

Por also means by or through. **Fue enviado por el presidente.** He was sent by he president. **Viajaron por avión.** They traveled by plane. **Entró por la ventana.** They entered through the window.

NOTE- Also use por when you want to say a general time: **Por la mañana-** In the morning **Por la tarde-** In the afternoon

Ejercicios: Traduce al español con **//por//** or **//para//**- <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. It is necessary to study in order to learn-> Es necesario estudiar para aprender <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. We traveled for six months->Viajamos por seis meses <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. They will study for the exam-> Van a estudiar para el examen <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. He spoke for an hour-> Habló por una hora <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. In the morning I exercise-> Yo hago ejercicio por la mañana <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">6. The book was written //(fue escrito)// by Isabel Allende-> El libro fue escrito por Isabel Allende <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">7. I will study hard in order to do get a good grade on the test-> Voy a estudiar mucho para tener buena nota en el examen <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">8. Have you study the lesson for today? -> ¿Has estudiado para la lección de hoy? <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">9. Have you traveled through Europe? -> ¿Has viajado por Europa? <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">10. What is the soap (jabon) for? -> ¿Para qué es el jabon? <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">11. I need it by Monday. -> Lo necesito para el lunes <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">12. I paid 100 dollars for the phone -> Pagué 100 dólares por el teléfono <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">13. I bought the I Pod for 1000 dollars -> Compré el Ipod por 100 dólares.

**IV.** **Tiene(n) Vs Hay**

**VERBS-Hay**

Be careful not to mix up the use of these. You can translate to English and it is the same.

**En Granada hay muchos restaurantes.** In Granada there are many restaurants. **Granada** **tiene muchos restaurants.** Granada has a lot of restaurants.

Ejercicios: Traduce al espanol <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">1. There are a lot of books in your backpack-> Hay muchos libros en tu mochila <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">2. You have a lot of books in your backpack-> Tienes muchos libros en tu mochila <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Taipei has a lot of good restaurants-> Taipei tiene restaurantes muy buenos <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">4. There are a lot of good restaurants in Taipei-> En Taipei hay restaurantes muy buenos <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">5. In Spain there are a lot of good beaches-> En Espana hay playas muy buenas

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">**V.** **Use of gustar:**

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">**VERBS-GUSTAR**

** a. Use emphatic pronouns with gustar, not subject pronouns: ** ** A mí me gusta- I like it. Do not say- Yo me gusta…This is INCORRECT!!! ** ** b. Gustar with present perfect ** ** Me ha ** gustado- It has pleased me…..DO NOT SAY…Me he gustado…This is incorrect! ** c. Make sure you are using gustar c//orrectly// ** **Me //gusta la comida. Me gustó// //la paella//.** **Me //ha gustado// //el gazpacho//.** ** Me //gustan las manzanas//. Me //gustaron las manzanas// Me //han gustado las man//zanas. **

ejercicios-Traduce al español

1. I like movies. 2. I like bread (with emphatic pronoun)_ 3. I have liked the movie Tron. _

VI. Possessive Pronouns- Make sure the pronoun matches the noun! GRAMMAR-Possessive Adjectives

** mi libro mis libros ** ** tu libro tus libros ** ** su libro sus libros ** ** nuestro libro nuestros libros ** ** vuestro libro vuestros libros ** ** su libro sus libros **

**Ejercicios-Traduce**

1. My friend._ 2. My friends- 3. Your friend- 4.Your friends- 5. His friend- 6 His friends- 7. Her friend- 8. Her friends- 9. Our friend- 10. Our friends- 11. your (plural) friend- 12. your (plural) friends- 13. Their friend- 14. Their friends

NO APOSTROPHE 'S IN SPANISH! 15. My friend's house (the house of my friend) 16. His friend's house (the house of he) 17. Their friend's house (the house of they)