This book aims to teach Spanish idiom. The greatest hindrance to the use
of idiomatic Spanish lies in the failure to realize that common English
words have various Spanish meanings.
To meet this difficulty, the notes and exercises of _Spanish
Composition_ are focused on the errors beginners most frequently make.
For instance, attention is drawn to the fact that words like _up_,
_down_, _out_, _in_, _away_ are usually included in the Spanish verb,
which is often entirely different from the English expression. Thus,
while "to get" is _obtener_, "to get up" is _levantarse_.
Of course the treatment cannot be exhaustive, but enough examples are
given to show the pupil the necessity of _thinking_ before translating
even the commonest words and phrases. The aim has been to give a simple
and specific discussion of everyday expressions rather than to try to
cover the entire field of Spanish idiom.
About two hundred and fifty quotations from famous Spanish authors
illustrate the various idioms and acquaint the learner with the great
names of Spanish literature.
I wish to express my hearty thanks to Dr. Harry Kurz of Carleton
College, and to my colleagues in the Minneapolis High Schools, Señor
Fernando García and Señor Julius Arrieta, who have read the work either
in manuscript or in proof.