Travel and Transport: Grammar and Phonics (AQA GCSE Spanish): Revision Note

Travel and transport: grammar

The specific grammar points associated with this "Travel and Transport" Revision note are the use of the impersonal 'se' and adverbs.

Impersonal 'se'

The impersonal 'se' is vital for discussing general actions, rules, and possibilities related to travel, where the subject performing the action is generalised (meaning "one," "you," or "people" in general).

• This structure helps express what is possible or what is needed when planning a trip or navigating a location

• The most common ways this is used in the context of transport are:

  • Se puede + infinitive: This literally means "one can" or "it is possible to". For instance, you can discuss availability: Se puede viajar en tren (One can travel by train)

  • Se necesita: This translates to "one needs" or "it is needed". For example, discussing required items: Se necesita un billete (A ticket is needed)

• Using these impersonal constructions is helpful when summarising available services, alongside other impersonal verbs like hay (there is/are)

Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and they are critical for adding detail about how, when, or where a journey takes place.

• Adverbs are fundamental for demonstrating complexity in descriptions, especially regarding manner, time, and place

• For example, when discussing the speed or difficulty of transport, you need adverbs like rápidamente (quickly/fast)

  • Adverbs that end in -mente (equivalent to English -ly) are created by adding this suffix to the singular feminine form of an adjective e.g. rápida -> rápidamente (quick -> quickly)

• The position of adverbs of time, manner, and place is a recommended element of grammar. For instance, you might say Viajé rápidamente (I traveled quickly) or use a time adverb like tarde (late) or a place adverb like aquí (here)

• Mastering adverbs is crucial as they add precision to descriptions, such as clarifying that an activity takes place fuera (outside/out) or noting that something happens normalmente (normally)

Travel and transport: phonics

The specific sounds that are highly relevant to common travel and transport vocabulary include those involving the letters 'v' and 'r'.

• The [v] sound: Practice this sound, spelled with the letter 'v', for example, in viajar (to travel) or avión (plane).

  • A key point to remember is that the Spanish 'v' and 'b' sound exactly the same

• The strong 'r' sound [rr] / [r-]: This is the strong, rolled 'r' sound. It is spelled with 'rr' when it appears in the middle of a word, e.g., carretera (road) or with a single 'r' when it appears at the start of a word, e.g., rápido (fast). You should aim to make this sound stronger than the single 'r' sound, but don't worry if it doesn't sound exactly like a Spanish native - it's a tough one to master!