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

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.

• →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').

• 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.

• 💡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.

• 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').