(p131)

IDIOMATIC COMMENTARY

N.B. In studying the commentary the student should underline in the text the idiomatic expressions here indicated, including those to which he is referred back in the Reviews. As irregular verb-forms are introduced with special frequency, it would be well to keep the list of irregular verbs at hand for reference. The italicized words are those that are especially idiomatic.

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1. Lo hizo antes de llegar (cf. 53).
2. Nunca tomó lo ajeno.
3. Se puso de rodillas.
4. ¿Qué se le ofrece a V.?

 He did it before arriving.
He never took what belonged to others.
He got down on his knees.
What do you wish?

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5. Me pongo triste.
6. Vino hace tres días.
Hacía tres días que estaba aquí.
Ocho días hace.
7. Lo ofrezco al que presente
las señas (cf. 47).
8. Se echó a llorar.
9. Aquí se habla español. 		I become sad.
He came three days ago.
He had been here for three days.
It is a week.
I offer it to the one who will
present the description.
He began to cry.
Spanish is spoken here.

N.B. The reflexive is frequently used as a substitute for the passive.

10. Roba a los pasajeros.
11. Dió con el libro.
12. Vuelvo a hablar. 		He robs the passengers.
He hit upon the book.
I speak again.