42 Describing processes and results
In its first part, this chapter looks at the various forms used by Spanish speakers to refer
to processes, including personal and impersonal expressions, while the second part is
concerned with the way results are expressed.42.1 Describing processes
Processes, defined as a way of doing things – in this sense a synonym of procedure – or
as a series of actions which are carried out in order to achieve a particular result, are
expressed in Spanish using either personal forms like tienes que... , ‘you have to.. .’,
or impersonal constructions such as hay que... , ‘one has to.. .’. Sections (42.1.1) and
(42.1.2) below list and explain all the main constructions used by Spanish speakers to
describe a process or a procedure.42.1.1 Personal constructions
The following are the forms normally used in Spanish to explain a process in a
personalized way.(a) Present 17.1 (p. 72)
(b) Future 17.5 (p. 76)
(c)Tener que+ infinitive 21.5 (p. 102)
These three forms are normally associated with the spoken language, especially the first
two. In writing, their use is restricted to informal contexts. The present and the future
are normally found in descriptions involving a series of steps, while tener que, ‘to have
to’, is used more often when the explanation involves a single action. In more lengthy
explanations, these expressions tend to be combined.Primero levantas el auricular y después metes la moneda.
First you lift up the receiver and then you insert the coin.