Ambas amigas se quedaron en la biblioteca para estudiar.
Both friends stayed in the library to study.
Breakdown of Ambas amigas se quedaron en la biblioteca para estudiar.
en
in
para
to
estudiar
to study
la amiga
the friend
la biblioteca
the library
quedarse
to stay
ambas
both
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Questions & Answers about Ambas amigas se quedaron en la biblioteca para estudiar.
What does ambas mean, and why is it feminine?
Ambas means both, referring to two feminine nouns. It agrees with the noun: ambas amigas (both female friends), ambos amigos (both male or mixed friends).
Can I say las dos amigas instead of ambas amigas?
Yes. Las dos amigas is very common and a bit more colloquial; ambas amigas can sound slightly more formal. You normally do not add the article after ambas.
Why is it se quedaron and not just quedaron?
Because quedarse means to stay or remain and needs the reflexive pronoun se here. Without se, quedar changes meaning.
What does quedaron mean without se?
In Spain, quedar often means to arrange to meet or to meet. Quedaron en la biblioteca typically means they arranged to meet at the library or they met at the library, not they stayed.
Why use the preterite se quedaron instead of the imperfect se quedaban?
Se quedaron presents a completed action. Se quedaban would describe an ongoing background action or a habitual past action.
Could I say Se han quedado instead?
Yes, especially in Spain when the action is linked to the present or to today: Se han quedado en la biblioteca. The choice between preterite and present perfect depends on time frame and speaker viewpoint.
Why en la biblioteca and not a la biblioteca?
En marks location (in/at). A marks movement or direction (to), as in Fueron a la biblioteca.
Why is it la biblioteca and not just biblioteca?
Spanish typically uses the definite article with specific places: en la biblioteca. Use una biblioteca if it’s non‑specific (at a library).
Why para estudiar and not por estudiar? Can I use a + infinitive?
Para + infinitive expresses purpose (in order to study). Por estudiar would express cause and is not right here. In Spain you’ll also hear se quedaron a estudiar, which is very natural and practically equivalent.
If a different person were going to study, how would I say it?
Use para que + subjunctive: Se quedaron en la biblioteca para que su amiga estudiara. With the same subject, keep para + infinitive: … para estudiar.
Can I move the purpose phrase around?
Yes. Para estudiar, ambas amigas se quedaron en la biblioteca is fine, as is Ambas amigas se quedaron en la biblioteca para estudiar. When fronting para estudiar, use a comma.
Can I use a gerund instead of para estudiar?
Yes: Se quedaron en la biblioteca estudiando. The gerund emphasizes the ongoing activity; para estudiar emphasizes purpose.
Do I need to add ellas?
No. Spanish drops subject pronouns when the subject is clear. Ambas amigas already identifies the subject, so Ellas se quedaron… is grammatical but redundant.
Is amigas the only option? What if the friends are male or mixed?
Use amigas for two women, amigos for two men or a mixed pair. Amigos means friends; novias would mean girlfriends in the romantic sense.
Are there synonyms for quedarse here?
You could use permanecer: Ambas amigas permanecieron en la biblioteca para estudiar (more formal). Seguir en works for keep staying: Siguieron en la biblioteca para estudiar, with a slightly different nuance.
Where else can the clitic se go? Is quedaronse okay?
With a finite verb, the clitic goes before: se quedaron. Quedaronse is archaic; in modern Spanish you only attach se to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative imperative (e.g., quedarse, quedándose, quédense).