Word order in Spanish is flexible but changes can affect emphasis and meaning. This guide shows the typical patterns and how to shift elements for focus.
Basic Order
The basic Spanish sentence follows Subject-Verb-Object order, but topicalization and sentence type can move elements around. Adverbs usually come after the verb or at the sentence end.
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## Adjectives
Adjectives generally follow the noun they describe. Placing an adjective before the noun can change meaning or add emphasis. Certain adjectives shift nuance depending on whether they appear before or after the noun.
```json
<{
"type": "quiz",
"exercises": [
{
"name": "-4d1ef012",
"quiz": "5bd64c77",
"topic": "spanish/grammar/sentences-structure/word-order",
"type": "exercise",
"question": "fill-in-blank",
"category": "vocabulary",
"text": "Compré una casa ___ (big).",
"answer": [
"grande"
],
"translation": "I bought a big house.",
"emoji": "🏠",
"explanation": "Adjectives usually come after the noun; 'grande' after 'casa' is the neutral order."
},
{
"name": "781a7187",
"quiz": "5bd64c77",
"topic": "spanish/grammar/sentences-structure/word-order",
"type": "exercise",
"question": "fill-in-blank",
"category": "vocabulary",
"text": "___ (big) casa cuesta mucho.",
"answer": [
"grande"
],
"translation": "Big house costs a lot.",
"emoji": "🏠",
"explanation": "When an adjective like 'grande' is placed before the noun, it can add emphasis or change nuance (note: omitted the noun here)."
},
{
"name": "23cb6a13",
"quiz": "5bd64c77",
"topic": "spanish/grammar/sentences-structure/word-order",
"type": "exercise",
"question": "multiple-choice",
"category": "rule",
"prompt": "Which sentence uses the adjective before the noun to create a different nuance?",
"correct": [
"Es una pobre mujer (unfortunate)",
"Es un gran hombre (great)"
],
"incorrect": [
"La mujer pobre (poor in money)",
"Un hombre grande (big physical size)"
],
"emoji": "🎨",
"explanation": "Adjective-before-noun uses (pobre, gran) can change meaning to unfortunate or great; adjective-after-noun gives a more literal/material meaning."
}
],
"name": "5bd64c77",
"topic": "spanish/grammar/sentences-structure/word-order"
}>Adverbs
Adverbs can shift position for emphasis and some adverbs naturally appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Placing an adverb before the verb often highlights it.
Questions
Questions trigger word order changes like placing the verb before the subject and moving question words to the front. Intonation and punctuation also guide interpretation.
Object Pronouns
Object pronouns normally appear before a conjugated verb or attach to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command. In negative commands, pronouns precede the verb. Their placement can influence emphasis and sentence rhythm.
Emphasis
Elements can be moved to the front or placed after pauses to highlight contrast or focus. Spanish relies on position and sometimes on prosody to signal what is important in a sentence.
Double Negatives
Spanish allows double negatives when a negative word precedes the verb and another follows. This construction strengthens the negation and is considered natural. Omitting the first negative alters the meaning of the sentence.
Summary
Spanish allows flexibility in word order to mark emphasis, question type, and focus, but the underlying rules for clitic pronouns and typical placement keep sentences clear.
````md
Adjectives
Adjectives generally follow the noun they describe. Placing an adjective before the noun can change meaning or add emphasis. Certain adjectives shift nuance depending on whether they appear before or after the noun.
Objects
Direct and indirect object pronouns normally attach to infinitives, gerunds, and commands, and double object pronouns follow a fixed order when both appear in a sentence. Clitic placement can affect word order.
Negative Sentences
Negation normally precedes the verb and double negatives are standard in Spanish when a negative word follows no. Word order remains consistent in negative sentences.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025