Question 1

Why isn't there a word for "Do" at the beginning of the Spanish sentence?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, you don't need a helper word like "do" or "does" to ask a yes/no question. You simply take the normal statement (Ustedes practican deportes temprano) and make it a question by adding question marks and raising your pitch at the end when speaking.

Question 2

Could I put ustedes after the verb instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In Spanish questions, it's very common to flip the subject and the verb. You could ask ¿Practican ustedes deportes temprano? and it means exactly the same thing.

Question 3

I know tú means "you". Why does this sentence use ustedes?

Accepted Answer

Tú is used when talking to just one person. Ustedes is the plural form of "you" in Latin America (like saying "you all" or "you guys"). The speaker is asking a group of people if they practice sports.

Question 4

Why is there an upside-down question mark (¿) at the beginning?

Accepted Answer

Because Spanish sentences don't always change their word order for a question, a statement and a question can look exactly the same. The upside-down question mark (¿) gives the reader a helpful visual warning to start reading with a questioning tone of voice.

Question 5

Does temprano need an "s" at the end since deportes is plural?

Accepted Answer

No. Here, temprano (early) describes when they practice, not the sports themselves. Words that describe actions (called adverbs) don't change to match gender or number, so it always stays as temprano.

¿Ustedes practican deportes temprano?

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