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Adding Emphasis to Sentences

Words, Phrases Show You Really Mean What You Say

By Gerald Erichsen, About.com

Spanish has numerous ways in which it is possible to emphasize the truthful nature of a statement or sentence. Following are some examples along with some possible English translations.

Note that many of these terms are interchangeable, both in the Spanish and in the translation:

  • ahora bien (now then): Ahora bien, la situación es que no vivimos ni en tiempos bíblicos. (Now then, the situation is that we don't live in Bible times.)
  • claro que (clearly): Claro que es necesario. (Clearly it is necessary.)
  • de hecho (in fact): De hecho el hierro es más duro que el estaño. (In fact, iron is harder than tin.)
  • de veras (really): De veras me siento feliz de que alguien se tome el tiempo de leerme. (I feel really happy that someone is taking the time to write to me.)
  • en realidad (in reality): En realidad todo depende de sus necesidades específicas. (In reality, everything depends on your specific needs.)
  • es que (the fact is): Es que no puedo hacer todo el trabajo. (The fact is I can't do all the work.)
  • por supuesto (of course): Por supuesto, ocurrirá como el caso de Microsoft y Netscape. (Of course, it will occur as in the case of Microsoft and Netscape.)
  • realmente (really): Realmente la aspirina es un salvavidas. (Aspirin is really a lifesaver.)
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