Spanish
Grade 9
15 min
Los bloques (The Blocks)
Introduce 'los bloques' and colors.
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify independent and dependent clauses as the primary 'blocks' of complex sentences.
Correctly conjugate regular and common irregular verbs in the present subjunctive mood.
Use conjunctions like 'para que', 'a menos que', and 'con tal de que' to connect clauses and trigger the subjunctive.
Construct complex sentences expressing will, emotion, or doubt using verbs like 'querer que', 'esperar que', and 'dudar que'.
Analyze sentences to determine whether the indicative or subjunctive mood is required.
Combine simple sentences into a single, grammatically correct complex sentence using the subjunctive mood.
Imagine building with LEGOs. How do you connect two different sections to make s...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Cláusula Independiente (Independent Clause)A complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. It's the main foundation block.Yo construyo una torre. (I build a tower.)
Cláusula Dependiente (Dependent Clause)An incomplete thought that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It needs to be attached to an independent clause....para que mis amigos jueguen. (...so that my friends can play.)
Conjunción Subordinante (Subordinating Conjunction)A 'connector block' word that joins a dependent clause to an independent clause. Certain conjunctions require the use of the subjunctive mood.para que (so that), a menos que (unless), con tal de que (provided that), antes de que (before)
Oración Compleja (Complex Sentence)A sentence created by combining one independent cla...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
The WEIRDO Trigger Rule for Noun Clauses
Main Clause (WEIRDO Verb) + 'que' + Different Subject + Subjunctive Verb
Use the subjunctive in a dependent noun clause when the main clause verb expresses Will/Wish, Emotion, Impersonal Expressions, Recommendations, Doubt/Denial, or Ojalá. This is the most common structure for using subjunctive 'blocks'.
The ESCAPA Conjunction Rule for Adverbial Clauses
Main Clause + ESCAPA Conjunction + Subjunctive Verb
Certain conjunctions always trigger the subjunctive in the following clause, as long as the action has not yet occurred. Remember the acronym ESCAPA: En caso de que (in case), Sin que (without), Con tal de que (provided that), A menos que (unless), Para que (so that), Antes de que (before).
Present Subjunctive...
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Challenging
A student writes: 'Dudo que los bloques son divertidos.' Based on the tutorial's concepts, why is this sentence incorrect and how should it be fixed?
A.It's incorrect because 'dudo que' requires the infinitive; it should be 'Dudo ser divertidos'.
B.It's incorrect because 'bloques' is plural; it should be 'Dudo que el bloque es divertido'.
C.It's correct as written because 'ser' is an exception to the subjunctive rule.
D.It's incorrect because 'dudo que' expresses doubt and requires the subjunctive; it should be 'Dudo que los bloques sean divertidos'.
Challenging
Which sentence correctly combines the ideas 'I will let you play with the blocks' and 'You promise to clean up' using the conjunction 'con tal de que' (provided that)?
A.Te dejaré jugar con los bloques con tal de que prometes limpiar.
B.Te dejaré jugar con los bloques con tal de que prometas limpiar.
C.Te dejaré jugar con los bloques con tal de que prometer limpiar.
D.Te dejaré jugar con los bloques con tal de prometes limpiar.
Challenging
Analyze the sentence: 'Mi amigo quiere que yo le da los bloques para que nosotros podemos construir algo.' What are the two main grammatical errors?
A.'quiere' should be 'quiera' and 'podemos' should be 'podamos'.
B.'da' should be 'dé' and 'podemos' should be 'podamos'.
C.'quiere' should be 'quiera' and 'da' should be 'dé'.
D.'da' should be 'des' and 'podemos' should be 'puedamos'.
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