Question 1

Why is lo attached to the end of Acarícienlo?

Accepted Answer

Because acarícien is an affirmative command ('pet [him]'). In Spanish, when you tell someone to do something, object pronouns like lo (him/it) must attach directly to the end of the verb.

Question 2

Why does lo come before the verb in lo pesan, but attach to the end in Acarícienlo?

Accepted Answer

It depends on whether it's a command or a normal statement! Acarícienlo is an affirmative command ('Pet him!'), so the pronoun must attach to the end. But pesan is just a normal present tense verb ('you weigh'). For normal statements, the pronoun goes before the conjugated verb.

Question 3

Why did an accent mark appear in Acarícienlo?

Accepted Answer

When you attach lo to the command acarícien, you add an extra syllable to the word. To keep the spoken stress on the exact same vowel it was on originally, Spanish requires you to add a written accent mark.

Question 4

Who is the subject of acarícien and pesan?

Accepted Answer

The subject is ustedes (you all). The speaker is addressing multiple doctors (Doctores), so they use the plural 'you' form for both the command (acarícien) and the present tense verb (pesan).

Question 5

Why is the verb tener (to have) used in tiene miedo instead of estar (to be)?

Accepted Answer

In English we say someone is afraid, but in Spanish, fear (miedo) is a noun. You don't 'be' fear, you 'have' it. So, el perro tiene miedo literally means 'the dog has fear.'

Doctores, el perro tiene miedo. Acarícienlo mientras lo pesan.

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