Breakdown of Estamos a punto de sembrar algas en la laguna para observar su crecimiento.
en
in
estar
to be
nosotros
we
para
to
su
its
observar
to observe
la laguna
the lagoon
a punto de
about to
sembrar
to plant
las algas
the seaweed
el crecimiento
the growth
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Questions & Answers about Estamos a punto de sembrar algas en la laguna para observar su crecimiento.
What does estar a punto de mean in this sentence?
Estar a punto de means “to be about to (do something).” It’s followed by an infinitive (in this case sembrar). So Estamos a punto de sembrar translates as “We are about to plant…”
Why use estamos a punto de instead of vamos a or estamos por?
All three can express a near future, but with slight differences:
- Estamos a punto de + infinitive implies it’s imminent, almost happening right now.
- Vamos a + infinitive is a neutral future (“we are going to plant”).
- Estamos por + infinitive can also mean “about to,” but is more common in some regions and can sound less immediate. In Latin America, estar a punto de is the most direct way to say “we’re just moments away from doing it.”
What does sembrar mean, and why use it with algas?
Sembrar literally means “to sow” or “to plant” seeds or spores. Although algae aren’t traditional “seeds,” scientists “siembran algas” by introducing spores or starter cultures into water. It’s analogous to “planting” in a broader biological or ecological sense.
Why is it algas (plural) rather than alga (singular)?
Alga is singular; algas is plural. We use the plural because you’re introducing multiple algae (or multiple species/strands) into the lagoon, and you’re observing their collective growth.
Why say en la laguna instead of a la laguna?
En indicates location (“in the lagoon”). A would indicate movement toward it (“to the lagoon”), but here the focus is on planting inside the lagoon, so en is correct.
What’s the difference between laguna and lago?
A lago is typically a larger body of freshwater (lake). A laguna is smaller or shallower, often with still or slow-moving water, like a pond or small lake. The choice depends on size and local usage.
Why use para observar su crecimiento (infinitive) instead of para que observemos su crecimiento (subjunctive)?
When the subject of para and the main clause is the same (we), you use para + infinitive: para observar. If you introduce a different subject or want a more explicit subordinate clause, you’d use para que + subjunctive: para que podamos observar.
What does su refer to in su crecimiento?
Su is a possessive pronoun referring back to algas. It means “their growth” (the growth of the algae).