Preguntas para una entrevista

[laepelba]

In this exercise, for each problem, several words are given (out of order), and it was my task to put the words in order, with the correct conjugation, spelling, punctuation, etc. to form a question for an interview of a famous singer. There are a couple about which I have some questions:

Example #1:
Words given: su / será / próximo / concierto / dónde / su
The answer in the answer key: ¿Dónde será su próximo concierto?
My questions:
- Why is it "ser" and not "estar"? I thought that with location, it was always supposed to be "estar".....
- Does "próximo" have to go before "concierto"? I had it after.....

Example #2:
Words given: vacaciones / serán / cuándo / próximas / sus
The answer in the answer key: ¿Cuándo serán sus próximas vacaciones?
My question:
- ...is the same as in the previous example! I had the "próximas" after the "vacaciones". Ugh! I feel like I'm never going to understand when/where/how to place adjectives/modifiers........ (sigh.........)

[Rusty]

Ser is used with events.
Próximo is a determiner, in this case. Determiners precede the noun.

[laepelba]

Can you give me a quick & dirty explanation of what makes something a "determiner"?

[chileno]

To me: ¿Dónde será su concierto próximamente ?


Is it still a determiner? I don't think so, according to what Rusty said.

However, I hope my input can help you to try to place it in your mind. :-)

[Rusty]

Articles, numbers, possessive pronouns, indefinite pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns are all determiners. The word 'next' fits into the second set I mentioned. It's classified as a general ordinal (ordinals are first, second, etc.), and is ranked with words like 'last', 'previous', and 'subsequent'.

last week
next week
previous week
subsequent weeks

Próximamente is an adverb.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Articles, numbers, possessive pronouns, indefinite pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns are all determiners. The word 'next' fits into the second set I mentioned. It's classified as a general ordinal (ordinals are first, second, etc.), and is ranked with words like 'last', 'previous', and 'subsequent'.

last week
next week
previous week
subsequent weeks

Próximamente is an adverb.

Ah, thanks. I knew "próximamente" was an adverb just because it has the ~mente/~ly, but I know nothing about determiners, claim that I cannot claim anymore, completely.

Thank you Sir.

[laepelba]

But can't "next week" be "la semana próxima"?

[Rusty]

You'll hear 'la semana que viene' much more often than 'la semana próxima'. There are those who say that 'la próxima semana' and 'la semana próxima' mean the same thing, and there are those who say there's a slight difference. Most, though, would not use 'la próxima semana' when they mean next week.

Google these phrases and see what is most popular (and by what factor).
Then try 'el próximo mes' and 'el mes próximo'. For giggles, try 'el próximo fin de semana' and 'el fin de semana próximo'.

Determiners are sometimes placed behind the noun by speakers, but they can't always do it without getting some pretty odd phrases, like:
opinión otra (otra opinión)
los capítulos dos primeros (los primeros dos capítulos)
gatos dos (dos gatos)
carro mi (mi carro)
carro un (un carro)

[chileno]

Originally Posted by laepelba

But can't "next week" be "la semana próxima"?

Oh yes. That's what it is exactly. Now, like Rusty said, la semana que viene is used in these latitudes. Down South both, like in English.

Next week = la próxima semana

Coming week la semana que viene/semana venidera

[laepelba]

Okay - follow up question.

"This week" = "esta semana" ??
"Last week" = "la semana pasada" or "la pasada semana" ??

I have noticed that my Latin American friends who speak English don't quite use "next week" correctly in English. If, on Wednesday, they're talking about something that is going to happen two days from now they say "next Friday". When I am talking about two days from now I say "this Friday". When I say/hear "next Friday", I think "next week Friday". What are the distinctions in Spanish?