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Questions & Answers about Uso un subrayador amarillo para resaltar ideas clave.
Why is “yo” omitted before uso?
Spanish usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the subject. Uso clearly means “I use.” You’d add yo only for emphasis or contrast (e.g., Yo uso…, not someone else).
What tense is uso, and could I say “I am using” instead?
Uso is the simple present, which covers habitual actions (“I use”) and sometimes current actions. For an action happening right now, use the present progressive: Estoy usando un… (“I am using a…”).
Why is it un subrayador and not “una subrayadora”?
Subrayador is a masculine noun for “highlighter,” so it takes un and masculine agreement: un subrayador amarillo. The feminine form subrayadora isn’t used for the pen; it would sound odd here.
Is subrayador the usual word in Latin America?
It’s understood, but in much of Latin America the more common term is resaltador. Other options you’ll hear:
- Mexico: marcatextos, marcador fluorescente
- General LA: resaltador, marcador fluorescente
- Spain: subrayador, rotulador So a very natural LA version is: Uso un resaltador amarillo…
Why is amarillo after subrayador? Can it go before?
Color adjectives typically go after the noun: un subrayador amarillo. Putting it before (un amarillo subrayador) sounds unnatural in this context.
Do I need to say de color, like “de color amarillo”?
No. Un subrayador amarillo is standard. De color amarillo is longer and usually unnecessary unless you’re contrasting colors explicitly.
Why is there no article before ideas (no “las”)?
Spanish often omits the article when speaking about things in general after a purpose clause. …para resaltar ideas clave = “to highlight key ideas (in general).” Use las if you mean specific, known ideas: …para resaltar las ideas clave.
What’s the difference between resaltar and subrayar?
- Resaltar: to make something stand out/highlight (perfect for using a highlighter).
- Subrayar: to underline; also to “stress/emphasize” an idea. With a highlighter, resaltar or marcar is very natural; subrayar tends to imply underlining, though many speakers use it loosely.
Could I use destacar or marcar instead of resaltar?
Yes:
- destacar (more general “to emphasize”): …para destacar ideas clave.
- marcar (“to mark”): …para marcar las ideas clave. All are fine; resaltar is the most closely tied to highlighters.
Why ideas clave and not ideas claves? Which is correct?
Both are accepted. Clave as an adjective is invariable in gender and may stay invariable or take plural:
- Invariable plural: ideas clave (very common, often preferred in formal writing)
- Regular plural: ideas claves (also correct) Don’t change it for gender: never idea clava.
Does clave change for feminine or masculine?
No. It’s invariable in gender: una idea clave, un punto clave.
Why para + infinitive? Could I use para que?
Use para + infinitive for purpose with the same subject: Uso… para resaltar… If the subject changes, use para que + subjunctive: Uso un resaltador para que las ideas clave resalten.
Should there be an “a” before ideas (the personal a)?
No. Resaltar takes a direct object without the personal a unless it’s a specific person. Resaltar ideas is correct.
Agreement check: why amarillo and not amarilla?
Adjectives agree with the noun. Subrayador is masculine singular, so amarillo. If it were plural: subrayadores amarillos.
Is usar regular? Any accent issues with uso?
Usar is fully regular: uso, usas, usa, usamos, usan. Be careful with accents: uso (I use) has no accent; usó (he/she/you-formal used) has an accent.
Could I say Utilizo or Empleo instead of Uso?
Yes:
- Utilizo sounds a bit more formal/technical.
- Empleo is also formal. All three are correct: Uso/Utilizo/Empleo un resaltador…
In some places I hear ocupar for “use.” Is Ocupo un resaltador okay?
Regionally, especially in parts of Mexico and Central America, ocupar can mean “to use/need”: ¿Lo ocupas? It’s colloquial and regional; usar is the safest pan‑regional choice.