We are all obliged to study Spanish at the various academic levels we go through. Of all the subjects we learn there, one of the most complex is sentence parsing. Especially because they can be analysed according to different currents. However, today, we will focus on the syntactic analysis of sentences in Spanish.
Unlike many other academic subjects, Spanish is something that we do practice in our daily lives. We use it to communicate and express ourselves at all times. Hence the importance of learning to identify the sentence structures we use and their composition.
This is precisely what our command of the language depends on. Speaking and writing well is something that many people can do with practice. But it is not until they know the types of words and how to use them correctly that their skills are perfected.
Communicating well is a skill that will always be appreciated and, in the workplace, well paid. Therefore, learning to write correctly implies knowing which words we are using. Knowing how to conjugate verbs correctly, identifying the number of adjectives, placing the subject correctly, etc. And you can learn all this by analysing sentences syntactically.
Before we talk about what parsing is, we need to understand what syntax is. It is one of the branches of linguistics that studies the origin, order and relationship between words. For this reason, it is the branch in charge of issuing most of the grammatical rules that exist today.
With this in mind, when we speak of syntactic analysis, we are referring precisely to the practice of the theory proposed by syntax. In other words, a syntactic analysis will be in charge of analysing the order, meaning and function of words within any sentence, text or discourse.
At a much more advanced and specialised linguistic level, syntactic theory is much more complex. However, within schools, this subject is explained in a more summarised and clearer way.
It is true that as we move on to higher levels of school we learn more about it, but it is never as technical as what linguists study, it is rather basic. The aim is that, from an early age, we understand the importance of writing correctly according to the rules of grammar.
Now that you know a little more about this topic, it is time to talk about how to syntactically analyse sentences in Spanish. By learning how to do this, you will be able to pass this subject with flying colours.
Parsing a sentence is no big deal. It is all a matter of identifying the parts and type of sentence you are dealing with for a complete analysis.
Among the most basic syntactic topics we are taught is to identify the parts of speech and to analyse them individually first. So, to start with the analysis of your sentence you should begin by identifying its parts:
Finding the verb
The verb will always be the central part of the sentence, from it everything else stems. Therefore, identifying the verb is the first thing you should do. It is the word that establishes the central action of the sentence. In more advanced studies you should also identify the tense, mood and person in which it is conjugated.
When we talk about the subject, we are talking about the word that tells us who is doing the action, for example, "The girl". It can be before or after the verb in the sentence. It is important to analyse it as it can often be accompanied by an adjective, for example, "La niña bonita".
The predicate is highlighted from the verb to all the other informative data given to us within the sentence. In this case, all these extra pieces of information are called complements.
In every sentence, complements are those which add extra information to the main action. They are mainly the direct and indirect complements.
In addition to others such as subject complements or circumstantial complements. The latter give us information about the manner, time or place in which the main action of the sentence takes place.
As you progress academically you will be told that there are several types of much more complex sentences. This is especially true of compound or subordinate clauses.
However, within a basic range of study, you will also be asked to identify the type of sentence you are working with. For this, you will need to know that sentences can be classified according to their type as follows:
· Exclamative
· Enunciative
· Imperative
· Interrogative
· Dubitative
· Desiderative
· Of possibility
If you feel that you need extra help parsing sentences in Spanish, don't despair. Here at WeSmartly we have private tutors who are ready to help you.
You can find a large number of highly qualified tutors who specialise in the study of Spanish. With their extra help, you will be able to pass this subject without much trouble. So don't be afraid to ask for this kind of help, it will always be beneficial on an academic level.
