This extensive Spanish language reference explains the logic behind more than 3,000 frequently used verb phrases and combinations that make Spanish speech sound native. Each entry includes a definition of the phrase including its register, synonyms, antonyms, complementary expressions, grammatical patterns, and examples of how the combinations are used in easy and difficult structures. Most entries also point out other factors to be taken into account, such as whether an expression is to be used in isolation, after explaining a cause, or if it shouldn't be used at the beginning of a sentence. The book presents generative patterns for combinations based on conceptual metaphors and grammar structures, details families of expressions as separate charts, and contains an index by complement.
Featuring a wide range of varieties of Spanish, this volume includes both peninsular and New World Spanish and draws on both written and spoken corpora. Based on sound research in cognitive linguistics and written entirely in Spanish, this valuable reference will be useful to advanced students of Spanish, teachers of Spanish, translators, and writers.
Sample Entry
ABUNDAR
Abundar en detalles: Ofrecer mucha información. Esta expresión se utiliza en contextos neutros o formales. En forma negativa (no abundar en detalles) se usa para expresar de manera irónica que alguien no quiere ofrecer tanta información como necesitamos.
S: El informe sobre el golpe de estado
V: abunda
CR: en detalles sobre la intervención de la CIA
El estudio abunda en detalles estadísticos sobre la inmigración, pero no explica ni
sus causas ni sus consecuencias.
La testigo reconoció que era amante del acusado, pero no abundó en detalles sobre su relación.
Contraste:
Informal: Paquita llegó a casa borracha y con un ojo morado. Explicó a su marido que se había caído y nada más.
Formal: La víctima llegó a su casa intoxicada y con señales de abuso físico. Explicó, sin abundar en detalles, que eran resultado de una caída.
Expresiones relacionadas:
1. Entrar en detalles (frecuentemente no entrar en detalles): Discutir un tema en profundidad. ‘No entrar’ significa quedarse fuera, por lo tanto, no entrar en detalles significa no explicar ningún detalle, mientras que no abundar en detalles significa hablar poco sobre un tema.
El estudio abunda en detalles estadísticos sobre la inmigración, pero no explica ni sus causas ni sus consecuencias.
*El estudio entra en detalles estadísticos sobre la inmigración, pero no explica ni sus causas ni sus consecuencias.
Hasta ahora hemos tratado el tema de la absorción de este mineral de manera superficial. Ahora entraremos en detalles.
*Hasta ahora hemos tratado el tema de la absorción de este mineral de manera superficial. Ahora abundaremos en detalles.
Reviews
"A highly useful reference work for advanced learners, as well as teachers and translators. It could also prove valuable for native speakers of Spanish who wish to improve their style. . . . Pedagogically sound, thorough and very practical. The level of detail and clarity of explanations are commendable. It will prove an invaluable tool for learning vocabulary in context, understanding and producing oral and written texts in Spanish, and translating."—Bulletin of Spanish Studies
"3,000 locuciones verbales y combinaciones frecuentes is very well-researched and pedagogically sound. The entries are clearly worded and the examples are very practical and aptly illustrate actual usage. It is very useful as a reference book or as a manual for systematic study, and in either way it is extremely user-friendly."—Milton M. Azevedo, professor of Spanish and Portuguese, University of California, Berkeley
About the Author
Adela Robles-Sáez was born in Alcoy, Spain. She has a PhD in Romance Literature and Languages from the University of California at Berkeley and was an assistant professor of Hispanic linguistics at San Francisco State University. She has been a translator and interpreter for many years. Currently, she lives and teaches in Spain.
