Question 1

What is the literal translation of sin embargo, and how is it punctuated?

Accepted Answer

Literally, it translates to 'without embargo' or 'without hindrance.' In English, we just say 'however.' Notice that it usually starts a new sentence or follows a semicolon, and it is almost always followed by a comma, just like 'however' in English.

Question 2

Why are the pronouns ellos and nosotros included here? Can't we normally drop them?

Accepted Answer

You can usually drop subject pronouns in Spanish, but here they are kept to create a strong contrast between what 'they' do and what 'we' do. The connector sin embargo makes this contrast even stronger.

Question 3

I've seen 'to forget' translated as olvidarse de. Why is it just olvidan here?

Accepted Answer

The verb olvidar can be used on its own with a direct object (like la promesa). You will also frequently see the reflexive version, olvidarse de (as in Ellos se olvidan de la promesa). Both mean the exact same thing, but the non-reflexive version used here is often considered slightly more formal.

Question 4

Is continuamos in the present or past tense here?

Accepted Answer

It is in the present tense. For regular '-ar' verbs, the nosotros form is exactly the same in both the present and the past (preterite) tense. We know it is present here because the first half of the sentence uses the present tense verb olvidan.

Ellos olvidan la promesa. Sin embargo, nosotros continuamos el proyecto.

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