Question 1

Why do we use se transformó en instead of just transformó?

Accepted Answer

When the subject undergoes the change itself (the landscape changed), we use the reflexive-like form transformarse. If you just used transformó, you would need a direct object to show what the landscape acted upon and changed. Additionally, you must always use the preposition en to mean "into".

Question 2

Could we use se convirtió en instead of se transformó en in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are nearly identical here. When talking about a profound or radical change into a noun (un lugar irreconocible), both convertirse en and transformarse en work perfectly. Transformarse en just gives a slight extra emphasis to the physical or visual alteration of the scenery.

Question 3

Why is it después de la tormenta and not just después la tormenta?

Accepted Answer

When después (after) is followed directly by a noun, it must be linked with the preposition de. You only use después by itself when it acts as an adverb with no object, like saying "We will see it after" (Lo veremos después).

Question 4

Why does irreconocible have a double "r" when the base word reconocer only has one?

Accepted Answer

The base adjective is reconocible (recognizable). When you add a negative prefix to a word starting with an "r", you must double it to rr to keep the strong, rolled sound between the two vowels. If it were spelled with one "r" (ireconocible), Spanish pronunciation rules would make it a soft, tapped "r" sound.

Después de la tormenta, el paisaje se transformó en un lugar irreconocible.

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