Usamos la lija de grano fino con un taco de lijado.

We use the fine-grit sandpaper with a sanding block.

Breakdown of Usamos la lija de grano fino con un taco de lijado.

• con: with
• usar: to use
• la lija de grano fino: the fine-grit sandpaper
• el taco de lijado: the sanding block

Questions & Answers about Usamos la lija de grano fino con un taco de lijado.

Why is it usamos here? Does it mean we use or we used?

Usamos can mean both we use and we used, because the nosotros form of the present and the preterite is the same for many -ar verbs.

Here, it is normally understood as present: we use.

• usar = to use
• usamos = we use / we used

The surrounding context usually makes the time clear. If this is an instruction, process description, or general statement, we use is the natural reading.

Why is nosotros not included?

In Spanish, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action.

• Usamos already tells you the subject is we
• So (Nosotros) usamos... and Usamos... both work

Including nosotros is usually only done for emphasis, contrast, or clarity.

For example:

• Nosotros usamos la lija..., pero ellos usan otra herramienta.

Why do we say la lija with la?