Other constructions — comparative constructions (active); expression of concession other than aunque (por muy + adjective + que, por mucho que) — WJEC A-Level Spanish Revision

    The study of relative adjectives, specifically the use of 'cuyo' (whose), as part of the advanced grammatical requirements for A-Level Spanish.

    Topic Synopsis

    The study of relative adjectives, specifically the use of 'cuyo' (whose), as part of the advanced grammatical requirements for A-Level Spanish.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Other constructions — comparative constructions (active); expression of concession other than aunque (por muy + adjective + que, por mucho que)

    WJEC
    A-Level

    The study of relative adjectives, specifically the use of 'cuyo' (whose), as part of the advanced grammatical requirements for A-Level Spanish.

    0
    Objectives
    3
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    0
    Key Terms
    3
    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    This topic covers two key grammatical structures in Spanish: comparative constructions (active) and expressions of concession other than 'aunque'. Comparative constructions allow you to compare actions or qualities using structures like 'más... que', 'menos... que', and 'tan... como'. The active voice is used when the subject performs the action, which is the default in Spanish. Understanding these comparatives is essential for expressing nuanced opinions, describing differences, and achieving higher marks in writing and speaking tasks.

    Expressions of concession are used to acknowledge a contrast or obstacle without negating the main idea. While 'aunque' (although) is common, A-Level Spanish requires mastery of more sophisticated alternatives such as 'por muy + adjective + que' (however + adjective) and 'por mucho que' (no matter how much). These structures add complexity and precision to your arguments, allowing you to discuss counterarguments effectively in essays and debates.

    These constructions are vital for WJEC A-Level Spanish because they appear in reading comprehension, translation, and writing tasks. Mastering them demonstrates a high level of grammatical control and can significantly boost your grade. They also help you sound more natural and fluent, as native speakers frequently use these patterns in both formal and informal contexts.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Comparative constructions: Use 'más... que' (more... than), 'menos... que' (less... than), and 'tan... como' (as... as) with adjectives, adverbs, and nouns. For verbs, use 'más que' or 'menos que' (e.g., 'Corro más que tú').
    • →Active voice: The subject performs the action (e.g., 'El profesor explica la lección'). Ensure verb agreement and avoid passive constructions unless specified.
    • →Expression of concession with 'por muy + adjective + que': This means 'however + adjective' and requires the subjunctive (e.g., 'Por muy difícil que sea, lo haré').
    • →Expression of concession with 'por mucho que': This means 'no matter how much' and also triggers the subjunctive (e.g., 'Por mucho que estudies, no lo sabrás todo').
    • →Word order: In 'por muy + adjective + que', the adjective comes before the noun if used attributively (e.g., 'por muy buenos estudiantes que sean').

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Correct agreement of 'cuyo' with the noun it precedes (the possessed object), not the possessor.
    • Accurate use of 'cuyo' to express possession in relative clauses.
    • Demonstrating active knowledge of 'cuyo' in both spoken and written tasks.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Correct agreement of 'cuyo' with the noun it precedes (the possessed object), not the possessor.
    • Accurate use of 'cuyo' to express possession in relative clauses.
    • Demonstrating active knowledge of 'cuyo' in both spoken and written tasks.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Practice replacing 'que' + possessive adjective structures with 'cuyo' to elevate the register of your writing.
    • 💡Remember that 'cuyo' must agree in gender and number with the noun that follows it.
    • 💡Use 'cuyo' in your independent research project presentation or written essays to demonstrate advanced grammatical control.
    • 💡In writing tasks, use 'por muy + adjective + que' and 'por mucho que' to show off your range of concessive structures. This can elevate your response from a B to an A grade.
    • 💡When translating from English, pay attention to whether the concessive idea is hypothetical or factual. If it's a concession (e.g., 'however hard it is'), use the subjunctive in Spanish.
    • 💡Practice combining comparatives with concessives in complex sentences (e.g., 'Por muy más rápido que corras, no ganarás'). This demonstrates sophisticated manipulation of grammar.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'cuyo' with 'que' or 'quien'.
    • Incorrectly agreeing 'cuyo' with the possessor instead of the possessed noun.
    • Overusing 'cuyo' in contexts where a different relative pronoun or structure would be more natural.
    • Mistake: Using the indicative after 'por muy + adjective + que' or 'por mucho que'. Correction: These structures always require the subjunctive because they express a hypothetical or conceded idea.
    • Mistake: Confusing 'más que' (more than) with 'más de' (more than with numbers). Correction: Use 'más de' before quantities (e.g., 'más de diez personas'), but 'más que' for comparisons (e.g., 'más alto que yo').
    • Mistake: Forgetting to make the adjective agree in gender and number in 'por muy + adjective + que'. Correction: The adjective must agree with the noun it modifies (e.g., 'por muy cansadas que estén').

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Formation and use of the present subjunctive (regular and irregular verbs).
    • •Basic comparative structures with adjectives (e.g., 'más alto que', 'menos interesante que').
    • •Understanding of 'aunque' with indicative vs. subjunctive (e.g., 'aunque llueve' vs. 'aunque llueva').

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Translate
    Write
    Discuss
    Respond

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic

    Related Topics in WJEC A-Level Spanish

    A2 Units — Unit 3: Speaking / Independent Research Project (Non-exam assessment)

    View Topic

    A2 Units — Unit 4: Listening, Reading and Translation

    View Topic

    A2 Units — Unit 5: Critical and Analytical Response in Writing (Closed-book)

    View Topic

    Adjectives — agreement, position, apocopation, comparative/superlative, use as nouns, demonstrative, indefinite, possessive, interrogative/exclamatory, relative (cuyo — receptive)

    View Topic