"DOMINAR" IN ENGLISH

Hello,

Today we are going to look at a "false friend" that often causes problems for students.

Which of the following sentences is correct?

i) Vicente dominates English. He sounds like a native speaker!
ii) Vicente has an excellent command of English. He sounds like a native speaker!

The Spanish verb dominar does not usually translate as dominate, unless you mean to rule. Dominar more commonly translates as to have a good command or knowledge of something. Therefore, the correct answer is (ii).

Example 1:
All the airport staff have a good command of at least three European languages.

Example 2:
Applicants for the position of senior secretary must have an excellent command of Microsoft Office, and some knowledge of computer programming.

NOTE: we always use the indefinite article, a or an in this expression.

Hopefully, if you keep reading the Daily Vitamins, they will help you to achieve a good command of English.

If you have any questions about today's Daily Vitamin, please post them in the Daily Vitamin Plus! forum section on our website.

Enjoy the rest of your day!