Breakdown of Es difícil pronunciar esta palabra.
ser
to be
difícil
difficult
este
this
la palabra
the word
pronunciar
to pronounce
Questions & Answers about Es difícil pronunciar esta palabra.
The current lesson is about using the subjunctive after 'es + adjective', so why is the infinitive used here instead?
We only use que + the subjunctive when there is a specific subject we are evaluating (for example, 'It is hard for you to pronounce this word' translates to Es difícil que tú pronuncies esta palabra). Because this sentence is a general statement meaning 'It is hard for anyone,' we skip que and just use the infinitive pronunciar.
In English we say 'hard TO pronounce'. Why isn't there a connecting word like 'de' before the infinitive?
When a sentence starts with an impersonal expression like Es difícil, you attach the infinitive directly to the adjective with no preposition. However, if you make the specific object the subject of the sentence ('This word is hard to pronounce'), you must add de: Esta palabra es difícil de pronunciar.
If I wanted to say 'Pronouncing this word is hard', would I use a gerund instead of an infinitive?
No, in Spanish, you cannot use the -ando or -iendo forms as nouns. To translate 'pronouncing' as a concept or subject, you must use the infinitive pronunciar. You can say Es difícil pronunciar esta palabra or change the order to Pronunciar esta palabra es difícil.
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