Phrase · ⚙️ Describing processes and results
El sospechoso fue detenido por la policía cuando intentaba salir del país.
The suspect was arrested by the police as he was trying to leave the country.
B2describing processesformalAudio · coming soon
Why every word is where it is
Eldeterminerthemasc. · sing. · definitesospechosonounsuspectmasc. · sing.fue1verbwasser · past · 3rd sing.detenido1verbarresteddetener · participle · past · masc. · sing.porprepositionforladeterminertheel · fem. · sing. · definitepolicíanounpolicefem. · sing.cuandoconjunctionwhenintentaba2verbwas tryingintentar · imperfect · 3rd sing.salirverbto leaveinfinitivedelprepositionof thedepaísnouncountrymasc. · sing..
- sospechoso → fue: agree
- sospechoso → detenido: agree
- detenido → por: prep
- intentaba → salir: obj
Why it's built this way
The notes match the numbers above.
- 1fue detenido: passive with ser, the usual style in news reports. Passive voice and resultative estar →
- 2intentaba: imperfect for the action in progress when the arrest happened. Preterite vs imperfect in narration →
Variations
- La policía detuvo al sospechoso cuando intentaba salir del país.