There are taboo things that Spanish-speaking students of English write and say that have scared me a little bit. I’m talking about forbidden love! Taboo! For example, you have told me that books like you! But how can a book like you? A book doesn’t have feelings!! After all, it’s an inanimate object!
As your psychiatrist, I mean teacher, I believe the problem originates from your superego[1]! Not only are you translating literally, but you’re translating incorrectly! Let’s take a look at books like me. You’re thinking me gustan los libros. Okay, fine. But when you translate this me becomes the subject and libros become the object: I like books. Likewise, don’t say chocolate loves me (me encanta el chocolate), say I love chocolate!
Following the same line, I don’t want you to get delusional[2], and say Geroge Clooney likes me (me gusta George Clooney)! I’m sure he doesn’t even know you! Say I like George Clooney!
There are other cases, where this often happens: I suit the jeans / I fit the jeans (me quedan bien los tejanos). Tell me, who’s the boss, you or the jeans! You!? Well: The jeans suit me / The jeans fit me!
Since we’re talking about forbidden love, we’d better talk about the consequences! What happens after the love?
As your psychiatrist, I mean teacher, I believe the problem originates from your superego[1]! Not only are you translating literally, but you’re translating incorrectly! Let’s take a look at books like me. You’re thinking me gustan los libros. Okay, fine. But when you translate this me becomes the subject and libros become the object: I like books. Likewise, don’t say chocolate loves me (me encanta el chocolate), say I love chocolate!
Following the same line, I don’t want you to get delusional[2], and say Geroge Clooney likes me (me gusta George Clooney)! I’m sure he doesn’t even know you! Say I like George Clooney!
There are other cases, where this often happens: I suit the jeans / I fit the jeans (me quedan bien los tejanos). Tell me, who’s the boss, you or the jeans! You!? Well: The jeans suit me / The jeans fit me!
Since we’re talking about forbidden love, we’d better talk about the consequences! What happens after the love?
If we want to use another verb after love, like, enjoy or hate, we usually use a gerund verb form. For example, I like reading books. This means that you enjoy the activity.
We tend to use a to infinitive after these verbs when we want to talk about choices or habits. For example, I like to read books in bed before going to sleep. Of course, if you’re not sure what to use, you can always get away with[3] the gerund verb form: I like reading books in bed before going to sleep.
However, when we talk about desires, watch out! We use would and a to infinitive: I would love to read this on a beach in the Caribbean. Now that love IS allowed!
[1] súper yo[2] convertirse ilusorio[3] escaparse con
1 comment:
It's a good way to not make mistakes.
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