C1 Spanish grammar
Discourse Deixis in Spanish
Discourse deixis points to stretches of language rather than physical objects. Spanish demonstratives and summary nouns can retrieve an earlier proposition, announce what follows, and express distance or evaluation.
Discourse Deixis in Spanish decision map
1. Use Spanish discourse deixis to refer backward → 2. Announce content that follows → 3. Use distance to signal stance
Work through these meaning and discourse decisions in order before choosing the final structure.
Discourse Deixis in Spanish: choices and models
| Decision | Guidance | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Use Spanish discourse deixis to refer backward | Use esto or eso for a recent proposition, aquello for a more distant passage, and lo anterior or dicho esto when the scope must be explicit. | El plazo se redujo a la mitad. Esto obligó al equipo a reorganizarse. |
| Announce content that follows | Use lo siguiente, como veremos, or a colon after an announcing expression. The forward pointer must be followed by content that fills its reference. | La conclusión es la siguiente: debemos repetir el análisis. |
| Use distance to signal stance | Eso can treat an interlocutor's point as shared or mildly distanced; aquello can recall remote discourse. A summary noun such as esa afirmación identifies both scope and evaluation. | El portavoz aseguró que no hubo retrasos. Esa afirmación contradice los registros. |
The model illustrates the decision; preserve its meaning and discourse effect when adapting it.
Spanish discourse deixis: Use Spanish discourse deixis to refer backward
Use esto or eso for a recent proposition, aquello for a more distant passage, and lo anterior or dicho esto when the scope must be explicit.
El plazo se redujo a la mitad. Esto obligó al equipo a reorganizarse.Quick check
Choose the Spanish translation.
They rejected the proposal. This surprised everyone.
Announce content that follows
Use lo siguiente, como veremos, or a colon after an announcing expression. The forward pointer must be followed by content that fills its reference.
La conclusión es la siguiente: debemos repetir el análisis.Use distance to signal stance
Eso can treat an interlocutor's point as shared or mildly distanced; aquello can recall remote discourse. A summary noun such as esa afirmación identifies both scope and evaluation.
El portavoz aseguró que no hubo retrasos. Esa afirmación contradice los registros.Build the sentence
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Translate into Spanish
The deadline was cut in half. This forced the team to reorganize.
Choose the opening of the sentence.
Common mistakes
El plazo cambió. Él obligó al equipo.
El plazo cambió. Esto obligó al equipo.
A masculine pronoun cannot clearly represent an entire proposition.
La conclusión es esto: repetiremos el análisis.
La conclusión es la siguiente: repetiremos el análisis.
La siguiente agrees with conclusión and conventionally announces what follows.
El portavoz lo aseguró. Esa contradice los registros.
El portavoz lo aseguró. Esa afirmación contradice los registros.
A bare feminine demonstrative lacks a clear nominal referent here.
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Discourse deixis FAQ
What does discourse deixis cover?
Discourse deixis points to stretches of language rather than physical objects. Spanish demonstratives and summary nouns can retrieve an earlier proposition, announce what follows, and express distance or evaluation.
What is the first rule to remember?
Use esto or eso for a recent proposition, aquello for a more distant passage, and lo anterior or dicho esto when the scope must be explicit.
What is another important C1 pattern?
Use lo siguiente, como veremos, or a colon after an announcing expression. The forward pointer must be followed by content that fills its reference.
How can I practise Spanish discourse deixis?
Complete the focused round, review each correction, and repeat the lesson when its skills become due again.