Breakdown of Cuando llueve y hace frío, el algodón del suéter se seca lentamente.
de
of
y
and
cuando
when
lentamente
slowly
llover
to rain
,
comma
el suéter
the sweater
secarse
to dry
hacer frío
to be cold
el algodón
the cotton
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Questions & Answers about Cuando llueve y hace frío, el algodón del suéter se seca lentamente.
Why is the sentence introduced with "Cuando" and what role does it play?
"Cuando" means "when" and acts as a subordinating conjunction that introduces a conditional clause. The clause "Cuando llueve y hace frío" sets the context in which the main action happens—in this case, describing the environment in which the sweater’s cotton dries slowly.
Why are the verbs "llueve" and "hace" conjugated in the third-person singular form?
These verbs are used in impersonal expressions to describe weather conditions. In Spanish, weather verbs such as "llover" (to rain) and "hacer" in the expression "hacer frío" (to be cold) are typically conjugated in the third-person singular regardless of any specific subject. They refer solely to the phenomenon of the weather.
What does the contraction "del" in "el algodón del suéter" represent?
"Del" is a contraction of "de" and "el", meaning "of the". In this sentence, "el algodón del suéter" translates to "the cotton of the sweater" or more naturally, "the sweater's cotton".
Why is the verb phrasing "se seca" used instead of simply "seca"?
The use of the reflexive form "se seca" indicates that the cotton dries by itself, without an external agent forcing the action. This reflexive construction is common in Spanish when describing natural or self-initiated processes, highlighting that the subject (the cotton) is essentially undergoing drying on its own.
Why is the adverb "lentamente" placed at the end of the sentence, and what does it modify?
In Spanish, adverbs often follow the verb they modify. Here, "lentamente" comes after "se seca" to indicate the manner in which the cotton dries—"slowly". Its position helps clearly tie the adverb to the action of drying, emphasizing that the process is gradual.