Today, we will learn the basics of forming simple sentences in Spanish. I’m sure you hadn’t noticed, but the previous sentence is an example of a simple sentence translated from Spanish. To be more specific, simple sentences contain a single verb or verbal periphrasis and, consequently, a single predicate.

In iScribo, we teach you some basic Spanish grammar ideas to form sentences in Spanish.

Simplify your writing

You don’t want to put the cart before the horse. To become fluent in Spanish, the essential thing is not to over-complicate your writing. It doesn’t matter if there are many short sentences in a paragraph, the important thing is that they are well written and, from there, little by little you will improve.

Main structure of the simple sentence

Learn it by heart: SUBJECT + PREDICATE = SIMPLE SENTENCE. For example, Juan viene al cine (Juan is coming to the cinema). The subject is the main element as it is the one who performs the action. The predicate includes the action being performed and the context.

Identify each part of the subject

In a simple sentence the subject is usually a person or persons, or a noun accompanied by another element, for example:

• Juan e Inés: two proper nouns.
• La casa (The house): determiner and common noun.
• El coche azul (The blue car): determiner, common noun, and adjective.

Identify each part of the predicate

It may seem like an easy task, but in a compound sentence, everything gets a bit more complicated. Ideally, you should familiarise yourself with each element of the predicate, this is also a very good exercise for learning Spanish grammar. The main element of the predicate is the verb, so this is the first thing you should look for, and it is accompanied by other grammatical categories:

• Noun, which can be common or proper: Clara tiene una moto (Clara has a motorbike).
• Definite or indefinite articles, which usually go with the noun: Clara tiene una moto (Clara has a motorbike).
• Pronouns, which replace the noun: Tú vienes mañana (You come tomorrow). Instead of saying Paco, for example.
• Adverbs, which modify the verb and give context to the predicate: Tú vienes mañana (You come tomorrow). There are different types of adverbs, but we will see them another time.
• Prepositions: they express a relationship with other words and are undoubtedly the most difficult to put into practice. El gato estaba bajo la ropa (The cat was under the clothes).
• Conjunctions: they link words, even sentences, in a logical order: Iré, pero más tarde (I will go, but later).
• Adjectives: accompany nouns to give them some additional explanation: La silla bonita es la rosa (The pretty chair is the pink one).

The only key is to practise!

The theory is always the tricky part of Spanish grammar. We know that experience is everything in this life, so practice non-stop, and never give up, it’s the best way to learn how to create simple sentences in Spanish. Remember to start with simple structures and, if you want to know if you are doing it right, use iScribo text editor. May the words be with you!