Learn Hardcore Spanish (Spain): Es bueno que el puente sea resistente, sin embargo, debemos revisarlo cada año. - It is good that the bridge is sturdy; however, we must check it each year.

In Spanish, expressions like es bueno que… typically require the subjunctive because they convey a subjective opinion or value judgment. When you say es bueno que el puente sea resistente, you're indicating it’s a good thing but have some uncertainty (or general statement) about its condition being resistant.

What does sin embargo mean, and how does it differ from pero?

Both sin embargo and pero convey a contrast, but sin embargo is a bit stronger and more formal. It’s similar to saying however in English, while pero is more like but.

Why is resistente used rather than something like fuerte?

While both words convey strength, resistente focuses on the bridge’s ability to endure stress over time—being resistant rather than just strong. Fuerte can mean strong in a more general sense (physical or otherwise), but resistente is more specific to durability.

Why is revisarlo written as one word?

In Spanish, when you add object pronouns (like lo) to the end of an infinitive (revisar), they attach directly to it to form a single word. So revisarlo means to check it, and the attached lo refers to the bridge.

What is the difference between debemos revisarlo and tenemos que revisarlo?

Both forms convey obligation, meaning we have to check it. Debemos implies a more direct sense of duty or responsibility (like we must), while tenemos que can sound a bit more like we have got to. However, they’re used fairly interchangeably in everyday speech.