Finally: a new Spanish newsletter!

Thanks to all for bearing with me during the absence of postings and newsletters. Truth is, between travel, reading about recent news events, and home life, I've found it hard to find the time! I've also been continuing to finish up the Spanish Verb Visualizer - which I hope will be an effective and unique piece of software.

Here's the lesson from this week's letter, found on your left as number 72. Make sure to check out the travel spot of the week - Nicaragua's San Juan del Sur.

Modal Verbs - Using 2 Verbs Together

Very often in Spanish you'll find 2 verbs used together, in combinations. The first verb will be conjugated, whereas the 2nd verb remains in the infinitive form. For anyone trying to translate literally from English this can seem confusing! Look at the following example:

No puedo nadar

At first glance, it looks like the sentence is saying "I can't to swim" - when in reality it says "I can't swim". When verbs are used in modal verb combinations - the 2nd verb is not conjugated, but rather left in the infinitive form. You would never say "no puedo nado".

There are several key verbs used often as modal verbs - and it's a good idea to practice using them.



Worksheet/Activity: Spanish Modal Verbs

Quiz: Modal Verbs in Spanish