Breakdown of Voy a comprar una computadora portátil, porque necesito estudiar fuera de casa.
yo
I
de
of
comprar
to buy
porque
because
la computadora
the computer
a
to
ir
to go
estudiar
to study
la casa
the house
necesitar
to need
,
comma
portátil
portable
fuera
outside
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Questions & Answers about Voy a comprar una computadora portátil, porque necesito estudiar fuera de casa.
Why is the future intention expressed with voy a comprar instead of using a simple future form like compraré?
The sentence uses the ir a + infinitive construction to express a future plan or intention. This form is very common in Latin American Spanish for talking about plans, especially those that feel immediate or already decided. Although compraré (the simple future) is grammatically correct, voy a comprar often sounds more conversational and natural.
What does computadora portátil mean, and is it different from other Spanish terms for a laptop?
Computadora portátil translates to laptop computer. In Latin America, computadora is the standard word for "computer," while in Spain you might hear ordenador instead. The term portátil emphasizes that the computer is designed to be easily moved, which is why it is used to mean a laptop.
Why is there a comma before porque in this sentence?
The comma separates two parts of the sentence: the main clause (Voy a comprar una computadora portátil) and the explanatory clause (porque necesito estudiar fuera de casa). This punctuation helps clarify that the second clause explains the reason for the action in the first clause. While comma usage can vary slightly based on style, here it aids in separating the idea of the action from its justification.
What does fuera de casa signify in this context?
Fuera de casa literally means outside of the house or away from home. In the context of this sentence, it implies that the speaker needs to study in an environment different from home—perhaps in a library, café, or another location that is better suited for concentration or access to resources.
Why are the subject pronouns omitted in voy and necesito?
In Spanish, the subject pronoun is often dropped because the verb forms already indicate the subject. For instance, voy and necesito are unambiguously first person singular. Omitting the pronoun (which would be yo) makes the sentence more concise and is very common in everyday Spanish.
Why does necesito estudiar use the infinitive estudiar instead of a conjugated verb form?
When verbs like necesitar (to need) are followed by another action, the second verb is used in its infinitive form. This construction is similar to the English “need to study.” Therefore, necesito estudiar is the correct way to say “I need to study” without adding an extra preposition or changing the verb form.