En el fondo de la clase, escribí un resumen sencillo para mis compañeros.

At the back of the class, I wrote a simple summary for my classmates.

Breakdown of En el fondo de la clase, escribí un resumen sencillo para mis compañeros.

• yo: I
• en: in
• de: of
• para: for
• mis: my
• la clase: the class
• escribir: to write
• sencillo: simple
• el fondo: the bottom/back
• un resumen: a summary
• el compañero: the classmate

Questions & Answers about En el fondo de la clase, escribí un resumen sencillo para mis compañeros.

Why do we say en el fondo de la clase instead of al fondo de la clase or en la parte de atrás de la clase?

In Latin American Spanish, en el fondo de la clase suggests that you’re located at the furthest area from the front, but still inside that space. Saying al fondo de la clase is also correct and often used interchangeably. En la parte de atrás de la clase is perfectly understandable too, but it emphasizes the “back part” more literally. All three are acceptable, but en el fondo is a bit more idiomatic as a general “at the back” phrase.

Why does escribí (the preterite) appear here instead of escribía (the imperfect)?

The preterite escribí indicates a completed action in the past. It puts the focus on the fact that you finished writing the summary at some point in time. If you used escribía, it would suggest an ongoing action or habit in the past (for example, “I used to write summaries”). Since the sentence speaks of one completed event, escribí is the correct choice.

Why use para mis compañeros and not something like a mis compañeros or con mis compañeros?

• para mis compañeros clarifies that this summary was intended for their benefit.
• a mis compañeros could imply you handed it over or directed it to them without focusing on the purpose or benefit.
• con mis compañeros would mean you wrote it jointly or together with them.

Because the context is about creating a summary for their benefit, para is most appropriate.

What’s the difference between resumen sencillo and resumen simple in Spanish?

In general usage, sencillo and simple can often be used interchangeably to mean “not complicated.” Sencillo might sometimes feel slightly more natural to native speakers when describing something straightforward and clear. Simple is also correct, but it can sometimes carry a slight nuance of “basic” or “plain.” In most everyday contexts, both words function similarly, so it’s more about personal style and preference.

Why is the adjective sencillo placed after the noun resumen in Spanish?

In Spanish, many descriptive adjectives typically follow the noun. Placing an adjective before the noun can sound more emphatic or stylistic. Saying un sencillo resumen wouldn’t be incorrect, but it might place extra stress on “sencillo.” By placing sencillo after resumen, you’re following the usual pattern and letting the noun lead the phrase.