Breakdown of Después de comer, tiramos la basura en el contenedor cercano.
en
in
nosotros
we
comer
to eat
después de
after
,
comma
la basura
the trash
el contenedor
the container
cercano
nearby
tirar
to throw
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Questions & Answers about Después de comer, tiramos la basura en el contenedor cercano.
Why does the phrase Después de comer use an infinitive (comer) instead of a conjugated verb?
In Spanish, expressions of time that begin with después de are followed by an infinitive to indicate the action that happens before the main clause. So después de comer translates to “after eating” without needing to conjugate “comer.”
What does the verb tiramos mean, and how should its tense be understood?
Tiramos is the first-person plural form of the verb tirar. Depending on the context, it can be interpreted as either the simple present (“we throw”) for habitual actions or the preterite (“we threw”) for completed events. The surrounding context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.
What is the meaning of la basura in this sentence?
La basura means “the garbage” or “the trash.” It refers to the waste that is disposed of, aligning with the common practice of taking out or throwing away unwanted items.
How is the adjective cercano used in el contenedor cercano, and why is it placed after the noun?
In Spanish, adjectives generally follow the noun they modify. Here, contenedor (container) is described by cercano (nearby), forming el contenedor cercano, which indicates that the container is located close by.
Why is there a comma after Después de comer in the sentence?
The comma separates the introductory adverbial phrase Después de comer from the main clause. This punctuation clarifies that the action of throwing the garbage takes place after eating, improving readability and sentence structure.
Are there alternative verbs for tiramos la basura in Latin American Spanish, and if so, how do they compare?
Yes, in Latin America you might also hear expressions like echar la basura or botar la basura to mean “to throw away the garbage.” While all these variations are commonly used, regional preferences can vary, so it’s useful to be aware that tirar la basura is one of the standard ways to express this idea.