Spanish Sentence Structures: Complements and Clauses

Predicative Complement

A predicative complement modifies two parts of speech simultaneously: the verb and the subject, or the verb and the direct object. It describes a quality or state of the subject or direct object as a result of the verb's action.

Characteristics:

• It can be an adjective or a noun phrase.
  • When an adjective, it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies (subject or direct object). Example: Ella encontró la puerta abierta. (She found the door open.)
  • When a noun phrase, it identifies or classifies the subject or direct object as a result of the verb's action. Example: Nombraron a Juan delegado. (They named Juan delegate.)
• It typically agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
• It should not be confused with an adverbial complement of manner (CCM). While an adverbial complement modifies only the verb, a predicative complement modifies both the verb and a noun (subject or direct object).
• It is generally not preceded by a preposition (unless the preposition is part of a fixed expression or required by the noun/adjective acting as predicative).
• It is distinct from subject complements (attributes) used with linking verbs and from prepositional complements (supplements/régimen).

Supplement (Prepositional Complement / Régimen)

A supplement (complemento de régimen verbal, or C.Rég.) is a complement required by certain verbs to complete their meaning. The verb's meaning would be incomplete or significantly different without this prepositional phrase.

Characteristics:

• It is always introduced by a specific preposition demanded by the verb (e.g., confiar en, depender de, pensar en).
• It cannot be substituted by a direct object pronoun (like lo, la, los, las) without changing the verb or its meaning.
• It is distinct from direct objects, indirect objects, and circumstantial complements.
• Recognition: The verb requires a specific preposition. The complement can often be pronominalized using the preposition followed by a tonic pronoun (e.g., Confío en él. - I trust in him.).

Reflexive Sentences (Oraciones Reflexivas)

In reflexive sentences, the subject performs and receives the action. These sentences use a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that agrees in person and number with the subject.

Types:

• Direct Reflexive: The reflexive pronoun functions as the direct object (CD). The action directly affects the subject. Example: Yo me lavo. (I wash myself.)
• Indirect Reflexive: The reflexive pronoun functions as the indirect object (CI). The action is done by the subject for their own benefit or to a part of themselves (which is often the direct object). Example: Yo me lavo las manos. (I wash my hands - 'las manos' is CD, 'me' is CI).

Reciprocal Sentences (Oraciones Recíprocas)

In reciprocal sentences, there are multiple subjects (or a plural subject) where each performs the action on the other(s) and receives the action from the other(s). They use reciprocal pronouns (nos, os, se - only in plural forms) which indicate this mutual action.

Example: Ellos se saludan. (They greet each other.)

Pseudo-Reflexive Sentences / Pronominal Verbs

Pseudo-reflexive sentences involve pronominal verbs. These verbs are conjugated with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se) that agrees in person and number with the subject, but the action is not truly reflexive or reciprocal. The pronoun is an inherent part of the verb, often changing its meaning or being grammatically required.

Identification:

• Removing the pronoun often changes the verb's meaning (e.g., ir - to go vs. irse - to leave) or makes the sentence ungrammatical or nonsensical (e.g., *quejar vs. quejarse - to complain).
• The pronoun doesn't function as a direct or indirect object in the typical reflexive sense. It's considered a verbal morpheme or part of the verb's lexical entry.

Example: Él se queja constantemente. (He complains constantly - 'quejarse' is a pronominal verb).

Coordinated Compound Sentences (Oraciones Coordinadas)

These sentences consist of two or more clauses (propositions) that are syntactically equivalent and independent of each other. They are joined by coordinating conjunctions (e.g., y/e - and, ni - nor, o/u - or, pero - but, sino - but rather, mas - but), and each clause could stand alone as a simple sentence.

Complex Sentences: Subordination

In complex sentences with subordination, one clause (the subordinate clause) depends syntactically on the main clause. The subordinate clause fulfills a grammatical function within the main clause, similar to how a noun, adjective, or adverb would.

Noun Subordinate Clauses (Subordinadas Sustantivas)

These clauses function as a noun or noun phrase within the main sentence. They can often be substituted by a demonstrative pronoun like eso, esto, or aquello (this/that thing).

Introduced by:

• Conjunctions: que (that), si (if/whether).
• Interrogative/Exclamatory pronouns or adverbs: quién, qué, cuál, cuándo, cómo, dónde, cuánto.
• An infinitive verb (without a conjunction).

Common Functions:

• Subject: Que vengas pronto me alegra. (That you come soon makes me happy.)
• Direct Object (CD): No sé si vendrá. (I don't know if he/she will come.)
• Prepositional Complement (Suplemento / C. Régimen): Confío en que lo harás bien. (I trust that you will do it well.)
• Noun Complement (CN): Tengo la esperanza de que apruebes. (I have the hope that you will pass.)
• Adjective Complement (C.Adj): Estoy seguro de que dice la verdad. (I am sure that he/she is telling the truth.)
• Attribute (Atributo): El problema es que no tenemos tiempo. (The problem is that we don't have time.)
• (Less commonly: Indirect Object)

Adjective Subordinate Clauses (Relativas)

These clauses (also known as relative clauses) function as an adjective, modifying a noun (the antecedent) in the main clause. They are typically replaceable by an adjective.

Introduced by:

• Relative Pronouns: que (that, which, who), quien/quienes (who, whom - usually for people and often after prepositions), el/la/los/las cual/cuales (who, whom, which - often more formal or after prepositions).
• Relative Determiner: cuyo/cuya/cuyos/cuyas (whose).
• Relative Adverbs (with an explicit noun antecedent): donde (where), cuando (when), como (how). Example: La casa donde nací es antigua. (The house where I was born is old.)

Example: El libro que me prestaste es interesante. (The book that you lent me is interesting.)

Adverbial Subordinate Clauses (Subordinadas Adverbiales)

These clauses function as an adverb, modifying the verb of the main clause, an adjective, or another adverb. They indicate circumstances such as time, place, manner, cause, purpose, condition, concession, consequence, etc.

Example (Time): Llegué cuando tú salías. (I arrived when you were leaving.)

Example (Place): Ponlo donde te dije. (Put it where I told you.)

Example (Manner): Hazlo como puedas. (Do it as you can / however you can.)

Other Grammatical Elements

Attribute (Atributo)

The attribute (subject complement) is used with linking verbs (ser, estar, parecer - to be, to seem). It is typically an adjective, noun phrase, or prepositional phrase that describes or identifies the subject, linked by the copula.

Example: Ella es inteligente. (She is intelligent.) Juan está cansado. (Juan is tired.) Mi hermano es médico. (My brother is a doctor.)

Key Sentence Complements

• Direct Object (Objeto Directo - OD/CD): Receives the action of a transitive verb. Can be substituted by lo, la, los, las. The sentence can often be transformed into the passive voice, where the OD becomes the subject. Answers "what?" or "whom?" directly after the verb.
• Indirect Object (Objeto Indirecto - OI/CI): Indicates the recipient or beneficiary of the action. Can be substituted by le, les (which become 'se' before 'lo/la/los/las'). Answers "to whom?" or "for whom?".
• Circumstantial Complements (Complementos Circunstanciales - CC): Provide context about the action (time, place, manner, cause, instrument, company, etc.). Answer questions like ¿dónde? (where?), ¿cuándo? (when?), ¿cómo? (how?).
• Agent Complement (Complemento Agente - C.Ag): In passive sentences, indicates who performs the action. Introduced by por (by) or sometimes de. Example: El libro fue escrito por el autor. (The book was written by the author.)
• Noun Complement (Complemento del Nombre - CN): Modifies a noun, often introduced by a preposition (e.g., de). Example: El libro de historia. (The history book / The book of history.)

Uses of the Pronoun 'Se'

The pronoun 'se' has various functions in Spanish:

• Reflexive 'se': The subject performs the action on itself. Agrees with the subject. (e.g., Ella se peina. - She combs her own hair.)
• Reciprocal 'se': Plural subjects perform a mutual action on each other. (e.g., Ellos se abrazan. - They hug each other.)
• Pronominal 'se' (Verbo Pronominal): Forms part of a pronominal verb, where 'se' is an integral part of the verb's structure, often changing its meaning or being grammatically required. (e.g., quejarse - to complain: Él se queja.)
• Passive Reflexive 'se' (Pasiva Refleja): Used to form passive-like constructions, typically with inanimate objects that become the grammatical subject. The verb agrees with this subject. (e.g., Se venden pisos. - Apartments are sold.)
• Impersonal 'se': Indicates an unspecified, general agent ("one", "people", "they"). The verb is always in the 3rd person singular. (e.g., En España se come tarde. - In Spain, people eat late.)
• Dative of Interest / Ethical Dative 'se': Emphasizes the subject's involvement or the completeness of an action, or can indicate an unexpected action. (e.g., Se comió toda la tarta. - He/She ate up the whole cake.)

Complex Sentences: Juxtaposition

Juxtaposed sentences consist of two or more clauses joined without explicit conjunctions, typically using punctuation like commas (,), semicolons (;), or colons (:). These punctuation marks imply a semantic relationship (e.g., addition, contrast, consequence, explanation) that might otherwise be expressed by coordinating or subordinating conjunctions.

Example: Llegué tarde; había mucho tráfico. (I arrived late; there was a lot of traffic.)

Sentence Classification

By Predicate Type:

• Attributive (Copulative): Contain a linking verb (ser, estar, parecer) and an attribute.
• Predicative: Contain a non-linking verb. The main element of the predicate is the verb itself and its complements (excluding attributes).

By Speaker's Attitude (Modality):

• Declarative (Enunciativas): State a fact or opinion (affirmative or negative).
• Interrogative (Interrogativas): Ask a question (direct or indirect, total or partial).
• Exclamatory (Exclamativas): Express strong emotion.
• Imperative/Hortatory (Exhortativas/Imperativas): Give a command, request, or exhortation.
• Dubitative (Dubitativas): Express doubt or possibility.
• Desiderative (Optativas): Express a wish or desire.

By Voice and Verb Nature:

• Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
  • Transitive: Verb requires a direct object.
  • Intransitive: Verb does not require a direct object.
• Passive Voice: The subject receives the action. Formed with ser + past participle + (por + agent).
• Impersonal Sentences: Lack a specific grammatical subject or have a diffuse one (e.g., weather verbs, sentences with impersonal 'se', verbs like 'haber' in its impersonal form 'hay').