Good Day Anna,
This may seem like a strange enquiry, but while trying to learn Spanish, I have met a friend from Puerto Rico who also wishes to learn English and is not having much success. Do you have any recommendations for Spanish speakers who wish improve their understanding of spoken English?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
When we have a verb after “gustar”, it is always “me gusta” and the infinitive verb, its not important what you say after the infinitive verb.
So just remember, whenever gustar is followed by a verb, it is always singular!! What you are liking is the action of the verb.
In your example “”A nosotros nos gusta leer revistas,” we like the the action of reading magazines, not magazines in general, so it is singular.
If you want to say you like magazines, you say “me gustan las revistas.”
Me gusta la ceunta sobre la fiesta de navidad en Argentina. Es muy interesante descubrir como se celebran fiestas importantes en otras paises, especialmente los paises en america del sur. Gracias por todos los materiales.
With all due respect Sra. Ana … contrary to what you claim … you write in English but you think in Spanish as in:
“I have a friend from Argentina that speaks English fluently”. One who thinks in English would say: I have a friend from Argentina who speaks English fluently. As we know in Spanish we say … Tengo una amiga que habla ingles …..
again, .. “But most people that were born in the U.S., English should be “But most people who were born in the US …”
I have received so many emails over the
last month from readers asking me if
I have reviewed the newly released version
of Rosetta Stone Spanish software — Version 3.
I think this is a good review, but a lot of people would like to have it with preiterate, imperfect, subjunctive, past subjunctive, future all included in the same story
I received your e-mail about the verbarrator. I am unfamiliar with it. Where can I see a demonstration? Does it conjugate as many verbs as there are in a book such as 501 Verbs?
Thanks.
I have reviewed it but have not put my review in writing. The course is excellent but very basic. Lots of explanations for people who require learning that way
Anna,
I’d like to take advantage of your offer to get Verbarrator and your re-mixed CDs. How can I get the Verbarrator in MAC version? When I click on the link to make a purchase, there is no Mac vs. Windows option.
I contacted the owners of the company for the Verbarrator and they said all you have to do is make the purchase and they will walk you through the process of getting the mac version of the Verbarrator installed on your computer.
Hi Anna,
You might want to clarify the following in your next article on the Personal “a”.
Reference:
No veo a tu amigo Carlos.> I don’t see your friend Charles.
You placed the “a” before “tu” instead of Carlos. Will the “a” always be listed immediately following the verb? The way the article is written makes it seem like the “a” is immediately before the direct object that is a person.
Hi Anna,
It would be nice if there was an option to make the post private. Anyway, I was wondering if you would review the book “Spanish Verb Conjugations,” ISBN 978-1463522063 located at Amazon.com. I was going to mail one to you but I did not have your zip code.
Hello Anna,
I would love to buy the $ 87.00 package… but…. my next S.S. deposit doesn’t come until July 22/nd… is it just TOUGH LUCK for me? I volunteer at a Caring Pregnancy Center…. where I teach child development…. many of my clients are Spanish speakers… think this program could get me started quickly with my communication.
Got My Paws Crossed,
Nancy
The city where I live has a fun music theater. 30 years ago, they put on a musical that was different and the local crowd was up in arms and the theater apologized and went back to their old repertoire. I have not been back since. When you never change, or offer anything different, you won’t offend people, but how many people will drop out because you gradually become irrelevant. I will probably not get Bueno Entonces at this time for reasons other than its humor. But I would really hate for you to stop giving honest reviews for fear of offending someone. Personally, I am learning Spanish to learn how the Spanish world thinks and organizes their thoughts. I recently started reading an interesting book on the Mayas, but was put off and stopped reading because it was just an English book with Spanish words. I, for one, enjoy you because you do introduce me to a different way of looking at things. Please don’t allow yourself to be censored.
I am not offended, but I did not see the segment in question
I found the first sample video a bit sophomoric and the production qualities a bit too hyper for my taste. So the segment as described did not surprise me.
Moments later: I decided to look at the segment. I am going to use that as a riddle at my next Spanish group get together. Maybe I have a dirty mind. Or, I am a dirty hedonist. I still am not offended, just surprised and amused.
I hope you will not stop offering items that are “controversial.” That would certainly restrict what and how people can learn and enjoy. If someone is offended, then they should get their money back and go use another program. And the Spanish literature they might be assigned in a Spanish class could be offensive too.
My Spanish is a little more advanced than this program is directed toward. I am reading, mostly in English, Vargas Llosa’s Pantaleón and it can be very offensive to some who do not grasp satire, irony and social criticism.
So, the program seems fun and somewhat, perhaps occasionally, “verde.” Let people know in advance and they can decide.
Thanks for all the great grammar tips, and others that you and your colleague send out.
Good Day Anna,
This may seem like a strange enquiry, but while trying to learn Spanish, I have met a friend from Puerto Rico who also wishes to learn English and is not having much success. Do you have any recommendations for Spanish speakers who wish improve their understanding of spoken English?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
Hola Derwin
I cannot think of any course for how to learn English. But if I think of one, I will let you know.
Anna
I liked the lesson on Preterit usage but whenever i try to leave a comment i get error message. Just wanted to let you know it doesn’t work.
“Duplicate comment detected; it looks as though you’ve already said that!”
- Show quoted text -
I have a question that arose when reading the book, “Sparknotes 101 Spanish”.
I thought I had a handle on “gustar” rules, but two of the answers in the Answer Key are confusing to me and I can find nothing written on this issue.
Their answer to Chapter 8, Exercise C, number 5, “Al niño no le gustan perros”, makes sense because of the plural ‘dogs’.
However, their answer to number 3 is: A nosotros nos gusta leer revistas.
And their answer to number 7 is: A ti te gusta comer hamburguesas.
Do the rules change to only “gusta” (not gustan) when followed by an infinitive, even though there are plural ‘revistas’ y ‘hamburguesas’?
Thank you for the clarification.
John (Thomas)
Exactly!
When we have a verb after “gustar”, it is always “me gusta” and the infinitive verb, its not important what you say after the infinitive verb.
So just remember, whenever gustar is followed by a verb, it is always singular!! What you are liking is the action of the verb.
In your example “”A nosotros nos gusta leer revistas,” we like the the action of reading magazines, not magazines in general, so it is singular.
If you want to say you like magazines, you say “me gustan las revistas.”
Hopefully that makes sense for you now!!
Anna
Anna,
Me gusta la ceunta sobre la fiesta de navidad en Argentina. Es muy interesante descubrir como se celebran fiestas importantes en otras paises, especialmente los paises en america del sur. Gracias por todos los materiales.
Jack
Hola Jack, de nada, siempre es muy interesante conocer otras culturas. Ojalá sigas disfrutando de las lecciones.
Saludos,
Anna
mil gracias por todo….
With all due respect Sra. Ana … contrary to what you claim … you write in English but you think in Spanish as in:
“I have a friend from Argentina that speaks English fluently”. One who thinks in English would say: I have a friend from Argentina who speaks English fluently. As we know in Spanish we say … Tengo una amiga que habla ingles …..
again, .. “But most people that were born in the U.S., English should be “But most people who were born in the US …”
un vez mas, gracias
Ok Oscar, thanks for the tip on improving my English!!!!
Saludos,
Anna
I have received so many emails over the
last month from readers asking me if
I have reviewed the newly released version
of Rosetta Stone Spanish software — Version 3.
Well, the answer is “yes.” I have reviewed it.
You can read my review here:
http://www.learningspanishproductsreviews.com/rsv3-12.html
Chao
Anna Rivera
/////////////////////
Neither of the links in this email bring me to YOUR review of the product. Ca…
2:33 PM (0 minutes ago)
Maureen Bertman to Anna
show details 2:33 PM (0 minutes ago)
Neither of the links in this email bring me to YOUR review of the product.
Can you be more specific??
thanks
Maureen, I am not sure what happened to my review of the product. You would have to ask Amazon.com
Anna
Ms Rivera, I read with interest the many reviews you have done on Spanish learning products, but I did not see one for ‘Fluenz.’ Have you done one?
John C. Bottcher, Esq.
3961 Waukeenah Highway
Monticello, Florida 32344
850/997-2722, Cell 850/566-2313
email: jbottcher@live.com
I think this is a good review, but a lot of people would like to have it with preiterate, imperfect, subjunctive, past subjunctive, future all included in the same story
In response to reflexive Buenos Aires
R Murr: Thanks for the suggestion, I will try to include in a future lesson!!
Anna
I received your e-mail about the verbarrator. I am unfamiliar with it. Where can I see a demonstration? Does it conjugate as many verbs as there are in a book such as 501 Verbs?
Thanks.
Where can I learn more about the Verbarrator?
Verbarrator.com
You can find out more at http://www.verbarrator.com/blog/
It conjugates more than 500 verbs. YOu can download a free demo copy at http://www.verbarrator.com/blog/
You can also find out more by reading the reviews at Amazon.com or going to YouTube and doing a search for Verbarrator.com
Anna
I have reviewed it but have not put my review in writing. The course is excellent but very basic. Lots of explanations for people who require learning that way
Anna,
I’d like to take advantage of your offer to get Verbarrator and your re-mixed CDs. How can I get the Verbarrator in MAC version? When I click on the link to make a purchase, there is no Mac vs. Windows option.
Julie,
I contacted the owners of the company for the Verbarrator and they said all you have to do is make the purchase and they will walk you through the process of getting the mac version of the Verbarrator installed on your computer.
Anna
Hi Anna:
I found your site from reading some of your reviews of products on amazon.com.
I am a physician and wish to learn spanish for everyday conversation. I took spanish in high school 20 years ago and maintained the basics.
I am looking for an organized program for learning that will include both audio and written content. I did see you reviewed “Ultimate Spanish.”
I am hesitant with Rosetta Stone and Fluenz after reading reviews and speaking to friends.
I would love some recommendations of your top picks.
Please help!
Hugh
William
If you are interested in learning authentic Laitn American Spanish, then I recommend Learning Spanish Like Crazy.
Patrick
Hi Anna,
You might want to clarify the following in your next article on the Personal “a”.
Reference:
No veo a tu amigo Carlos.> I don’t see your friend Charles.
You placed the “a” before “tu” instead of Carlos. Will the “a” always be listed immediately following the verb? The way the article is written makes it seem like the “a” is immediately before the direct object that is a person.
Hello KRN, you are right, the ¨a¨is immediately before the direct object when it is a person.
Cheers,
Anna
Gracias por los lecciones!
Why is it that in Spain the Z has the ‘TH’ sound?
Zapato = ‘Thapato’ = ‘Sapato’
Thanks
Hi James, you are right, in spanish the Z has the TH sound (like “think”). However, in latinamerica the Z sounds like “s”.
Thanks for your comment!
Anna
Hola Waldo
Thanks for the message. I am not sure why but Amazon removed many of my reviews.
Anna
Hi Anna:
Do you know of any programs/materials for kids to learn Spanish that you like? I have a 9 year old and a 4 year old.
Thanks,
SteveO
Hi Anna,
It would be nice if there was an option to make the post private. Anyway, I was wondering if you would review the book “Spanish Verb Conjugations,” ISBN 978-1463522063 located at Amazon.com. I was going to mail one to you but I did not have your zip code.
Hello Anna,
I would love to buy the $ 87.00 package… but…. my next S.S. deposit doesn’t come until July 22/nd… is it just TOUGH LUCK for me? I volunteer at a Caring Pregnancy Center…. where I teach child development…. many of my clients are Spanish speakers… think this program could get me started quickly with my communication.
Got My Paws Crossed,
Nancy
Anna:
The city where I live has a fun music theater. 30 years ago, they put on a musical that was different and the local crowd was up in arms and the theater apologized and went back to their old repertoire. I have not been back since. When you never change, or offer anything different, you won’t offend people, but how many people will drop out because you gradually become irrelevant. I will probably not get Bueno Entonces at this time for reasons other than its humor. But I would really hate for you to stop giving honest reviews for fear of offending someone. Personally, I am learning Spanish to learn how the Spanish world thinks and organizes their thoughts. I recently started reading an interesting book on the Mayas, but was put off and stopped reading because it was just an English book with Spanish words. I, for one, enjoy you because you do introduce me to a different way of looking at things. Please don’t allow yourself to be censored.
Bob Atkison
Re your apology for the Spanish program
i Anna,
I am not offended, but I did not see the segment in question
I found the first sample video a bit sophomoric and the production qualities a bit too hyper for my taste. So the segment as described did not surprise me.
Moments later: I decided to look at the segment. I am going to use that as a riddle at my next Spanish group get together. Maybe I have a dirty mind. Or, I am a dirty hedonist. I still am not offended, just surprised and amused.
I hope you will not stop offering items that are “controversial.” That would certainly restrict what and how people can learn and enjoy. If someone is offended, then they should get their money back and go use another program. And the Spanish literature they might be assigned in a Spanish class could be offensive too.
My Spanish is a little more advanced than this program is directed toward. I am reading, mostly in English, Vargas Llosa’s Pantaleón and it can be very offensive to some who do not grasp satire, irony and social criticism.
So, the program seems fun and somewhat, perhaps occasionally, “verde.” Let people know in advance and they can decide.
Thanks for all the great grammar tips, and others that you and your colleague send out.
Best wishes,
Enriqueta
Gracias for the comment.
Anna
Steve,
I cannot think of any that I am really impressed with.
Anna