An introduction to prepositions and relative pronouns

Summary of contents – Lesson 32

1-     What are prepositions? A look at how prepositions are used in both Spanish and English and at some of the difficulties that are faced by native speakers of English when learning Spanish prepositions.

2-     Looking at word formation and prepositions. How prepositions are used in conjunction with other words such as nouns adjectives and verbs.

3-     Relative pronouns explained. A look at relative pronouns referring to people and things. How relative pronouns are formed and used in both Spanish and English.

4-     Looking specifically at when and how relative pronouns are used after prepositions. A closer look at ‘lo que’ and when el/la/los/las + que are used without prepositions.

Aims of the lesson

1-     Understanding how prepositions are generally used in conversation to show how people or things relate to each other.

2-     To have a good understanding of how prepositions are used in speech in preparation for further study which concentrates on when and how to use prepositions in specific situations.

3-     Understanding what relative pronouns are and how they are used to better clarify who or what is being talked about or to add information. How the relative pronouns ‘que’ and ‘quien’ translate into English.

4-     Understanding how relative pronouns are formed and used differently when preceded by a preposition.

5-     Being aware of the important differences in sentence formation when using relative pronouns and prepositions in Spanish and English.

6-     Knowing when and how lo/el/la/los/las + que can be used without prepositions.