Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


Tengo un tenedor o tengo tenedor

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old August 12, 2020, 03:32 PM
Idk Idk is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Idk is on a distinguished road
Tengo un tenedor o tengo tenedor

I've learned that there are some verbs in spanish that after them you dont use 'un'\'una', like: 'tener' or 'sacar'
So why it's legal to say
'Tengo un carro viejo'

Last edited by Idk; August 12, 2020 at 04:23 PM.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old August 12, 2020, 05:53 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,101
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
I don't think it's accurate to say you don't use indefinite articles with those verbs.
Do you have the context where this was stated?


- Tenemos un perro.
- Mis padres tuvieron un accidente.
- ¿Tienes un chicle?
- Tenga un vaso de agua.
- Un día tendré una casa grande.


- Saqué una cita para el médico.
- Voy a hacer un truco de magia: saca una carta.
- Sacaste una buena calificación.
- El temblor me sacó un buen susto.
- Sacamos una rata del jardín.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...

Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; August 12, 2020 at 06:32 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old August 12, 2020, 11:47 PM
Idk Idk is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Idk is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
I don't think it's accurate to say you don't use indefinite articles with those verbs.
Do you have the context where this was stated?


- Tenemos un perro.
- Mis padres tuvieron un accidente.
- ¿Tienes un chicle?
- Tenga un vaso de agua.
- Un día tendré una casa grande.


- Saqué una cita para el médico.
- Voy a hacer un truco de magia: saca una carta.
- Sacaste una buena calificación.
- El temblor me sacó un buen susto.
- Sacamos una rata del jardín.
This is a question someone asked in the Duolingo's forum: https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/2...-tengo-tenedor
The question is why you say 'no tengo tenedor' without indefinite artcile.
The answer says that there are verbs which you dont use indefinite artcile before them.

Last edited by Idk; August 12, 2020 at 11:49 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old August 13, 2020, 09:38 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,850
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
I know in common speech the unis left out unless there is something particular about the tenedor Frequently it is followed by an adjective to clarify what is particular about the tenedor. Here's an example:Tengo un tenedor nuevo.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old August 13, 2020, 10:12 AM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,365
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
If you do a CREA search you'll immediately learn that the not-fully-quoted reference material posted in the other forum is misleading. There are CERTAINLY times when those verbs will be accompanied by an object that is preceded by an indefinite article.
All of the examples listed above by Angélica are a good indicator that incorrect information was provided in the other forum. I had a look at the grammar book myself and saw 'blanket' statements that should have also been quoted. I also found that they listed exceptions to 'the rule' in the self-same section. Only when talking about common/expected things, in general, and on an individual (singular) basis, can the indefinite article sometimes be omitted.

Context matters a great deal. There are times when the indefinite article is omitted and there are times when it is not. You need to accept that context drives usage.

I've also noticed that Duolingo has canned answers/translations that they'll accept, and will flag some valid variations as incorrect. In fact, the forum seems to contain a lot of 'why was this flagged incorrect' questions. The best answer often turns out to be that Duolingo could improve, because they didn't take into consideration that context is key. Learning a word, phrase, or sentence out of context is simply not adequate!

The only case I can think of where you should NOT use an indefinite article is when you're talking about what someone does for a living or when communicating social status.
Soy médico. Soy profesora. ¿Es carpintero usted? Soy estudiante. Soy soltero.

Last edited by Rusty; August 13, 2020 at 03:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old August 13, 2020, 02:43 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by Idk View Post
The answer says that there are verbs which you dont use indefinite artcile before them.

Bottom line, I think this is an inaccurate answer.
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
article

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Todavía tengo el papel, pero aún no tengo luz Macala Translations 3 February 16, 2017 05:13 PM
Tengo que irme / Tengo que ir BobRitter Grammar 7 August 15, 2016 11:43 AM
He de o Tengo que BobRitter Grammar 3 December 09, 2013 10:54 PM
Me tengo que ir msimpson801 Grammar 5 November 01, 2012 12:46 PM
Tenedor DailyWord Daily Spanish Word 13 September 30, 2008 01:45 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:15 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X