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Difficulty: HardDiacritical Accents (Tilde Diacrítica)

In Spanish writing, diacritical accents (*tilde diacrítica*) are used to differentiate words that are spelled the same but have different grammatical functions. Read the following sentence:

"Yo no (1)_____ (2)_____ el gerente reservó la oficina para (3)_____, pero espero que nos (4)_____ una explicación pronto."

Which of the following options provides the correct sequence of words to complete the sentence?

  1. A
    se / sí / si / de
  2. B
    sé / si / si / de
  3. sé / si / sí / déAnswer
  4. D
    se / si / sí / dé

Answer

The correct sequence is 'sé / si / sí / dé'.
The correct sequence is 'sé / si / sí / dé'. Blank (1) requires 'sé' (the verb 'saber', meaning 'I know'), which takes an accent to distinguish it from the pronoun 'se'. Blank (2) requires the conjunction 'si' (meaning 'whether' or 'if'), which does not take an accent. Blank (3) requires the reflexive pronoun 'sí' (meaning 'himself' in the phrase 'para sí'), which requires an accent. Blank (4) requires 'dé' (the subjunctive form of the verb 'dar', meaning 'to give'), which takes an accent to distinguish it from the preposition 'de'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the grammatical function required for the first blank: 'Yo no (1)_____'.
The blank requires the first-person singular present indicative of the verb 'saber' (to know), which is 'sé'.
The verb form 'sé' requires a diacritical accent to distinguish it from the reflexive pronoun 'se'.
2
Analyze the grammatical function required for the second blank: '...no sé (2)_____ el gerente...'.
The blank requires the conjunction 'si' (meaning 'whether' or 'if') to introduce the indirect question.
The conjunction 'si' does not take a diacritical accent, distinguishing it from the affirmative adverb or pronoun 'sí'.
3
Analyze the grammatical function required for the third blank: '...reservó la oficina para (3)_____'.
The blank requires the prepositional reflexive pronoun 'sí' (meaning 'himself').
The pronoun 'sí' refers back to the subject 'el gerente'. It requires a diacritical accent to differentiate it from the conjunction 'si'.
4
Analyze the grammatical function required for the fourth blank: '...espero que nos (4)_____ una explicación...'.
The blank requires the third-person singular present subjunctive of the verb 'dar' (to give), which is 'dé'.
The verb 'dé' requires a diacritical accent to distinguish it from the preposition 'de'.

Key Concept

Diacritical Accents (Tilde Diacrítica)

Hints

1
Identify the grammatical role of each missing word. Is it a verb, a pronoun, a conjunction, or a preposition?
2
Remember that 'sé' (I know) and 'dé' (give) are verbs and require accents. 'se' (reflexive pronoun) and 'de' (preposition) do not.
3
In the phrase 'para [himself]', the word functions as a prepositional pronoun. Does the pronoun 'sí' require an accent to distinguish it from the conjunction 'si' (if/whether)?

Practice More

Review the rules for diacritical accents with interrogative and exclamatory words (e.g., que/qué, como/cómo, donde/dónde).
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Diacritical Accents (Tilde Diacrítica)

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