C2 Spanish grammar
Advanced Spanish Preposition Selection
Advanced Spanish preposition selection combines lexical government with meaning and attachment. The same verb may license several prepositions in different constructions, while translated equivalents from another language may select a relation Spanish does not encode that way.
Advanced Spanish Preposition Selection decision map
1. Separate governed complements from circumstances → 2. Use alternation to express a different relation → 3. Edit calques, redundant sequences, and unclear attachment
Work through these meaning and discourse decisions in order before choosing the final structure.
Advanced Spanish Preposition Selection: choices and models
| Decision | Guidance | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Separate governed complements from circumstances | A verb, adjective, or noun may select a specific preposition: depender de, insistir en, apto para, confianza en. Optional place, time, instrument, and manner phrases attach independently. | La decisión depende de los datos disponibles. |
| Use alternation to express a different relation | Pensar en focuses attention on a topic or plan, pensar de asks an opinion; tratar de can mean attempt or concern, tratar sobre presents subject matter; acabar de marks recent completion, acabar con means end or destroy, and acabar por marks an eventual outcome. | ¿Qué piensas de la propuesta? Estoy pensando en sus consecuencias. |
| Edit calques, redundant sequences, and unclear attachment | Formal prose can accumulate prepositions through legitimate nesting, but calqued or redundant sequences should be replaced with an established construction. Reposition phrases when their possible governor is unclear. | En relación con la propuesta, el comité expresó dudas sobre su coste. |
The model illustrates the decision; preserve its meaning and discourse effect when adapting it.
advanced Spanish preposition selection: Separate governed complements from circumstances
A verb, adjective, or noun may select a specific preposition: depender de, insistir en, apto para, confianza en. Optional place, time, instrument, and manner phrases attach independently.
La decisión depende de los datos disponibles.Quick check
Choose the governed combination.
Use alternation to express a different relation
Pensar en focuses attention on a topic or plan, pensar de asks an opinion; tratar de can mean attempt or concern, tratar sobre presents subject matter; acabar de marks recent completion, acabar con means end or destroy, and acabar por marks an eventual outcome.
¿Qué piensas de la propuesta? Estoy pensando en sus consecuencias.Edit calques, redundant sequences, and unclear attachment
Formal prose can accumulate prepositions through legitimate nesting, but calqued or redundant sequences should be replaced with an established construction. Reposition phrases when their possible governor is unclear.
En relación con la propuesta, el comité expresó dudas sobre su coste.Common mistakes
La decisión depende en los datos disponibles.
La decisión depende de los datos disponibles.
The governing verb, not a translated English particle, determines de.
Pensar de and pensar en are freely interchangeable in every context.
Pienso en el problema means I consider it; qué piensas del problema asks your opinion.
The preposition participates in the construction's meaning.
En relación a la propuesta in a style guide requiring en relación con, plus doubts in respect of about cost.
Respecto de la propuesta, el comité expresó dudas sobre su coste.
The established combinations preserve two different relations without redundant stacking.
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Advanced preposition selection FAQ
What does advanced preposition selection cover?
Advanced Spanish preposition selection combines lexical government with meaning and attachment. The same verb may license several prepositions in different constructions, while translated equivalents from another language may select a relation Spanish does not encode that way.
What is the first rule to remember?
A verb, adjective, or noun may select a specific preposition: depender de, insistir en, apto para, confianza en. Optional place, time, instrument, and manner phrases attach independently.
What is another important C2 pattern?
Pensar en focuses attention on a topic or plan, pensar de asks an opinion; tratar de can mean attempt or concern, tratar sobre presents subject matter; acabar de marks recent completion, acabar con means end or destroy, and acabar por marks an eventual outcome.
How can I practise advanced Spanish preposition selection?
Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.