Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): La tienda ofrece un servicio gratuito para coser ropa rota. - The store offers a free service to sew torn clothing.

“Ofrecer” translates to “to offer”. Here it is conjugated as “ofrece” in the third-person singular present tense to agree with the subject “la tienda.”

What does the phrase “un servicio gratuito” signify?

“Un servicio gratuito” means “a free service.” It tells us that the service provided by the store does not cost anything.

How does the infinitive phrase “para coser ropa rota” function in the sentence?

The phrase “para coser ropa rota” expresses purpose. The preposition “para” indicates that the service is intended “to sew (or repair) torn clothes.” It explains why the service is offered.

Why is the adjective “rota” used with “ropa” instead of “roto”?

“Ropa” is a feminine noun, so the adjective must agree in gender. “Rota” is the feminine form of “roto” (meaning torn or broken), hence the correct agreement is “ropa rota.”

Does “coser” strictly mean “to sew,” or can it imply something else in this context?

While “coser” literally means “to sew,” in this context it implies the act of mending or repairing clothes, which is understood from the phrase “ropa rota” meaning torn clothes. The focus is on fixing the damage through sewing.

Why might the writer choose to use “gratuito” instead of “gratis” here?

Both “gratuito” and “gratis” mean “free” in that they indicate no cost. However, “gratuito” is an adjective that must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (in this case, “servicio,” which is masculine singular). Using “gratuito” in this formal context fits grammatically, whereas “gratis” is often used as an adverb and might not align as neatly with the noun in certain sentences.