Question 1

Why use puesto que instead of a simpler word like porque?

Accepted Answer

Puesto que means "given that" or "since." You could absolutely use porque (because) here, but puesto que is slightly more formal and is great for explaining the logical reason behind a statement. It emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship: given the fact that it fought, its skull was strong.

Question 2

How does solía pelear work to mean "used to fight"?

Accepted Answer

Solía comes from the verb soler, which means "to usually do" something. When you put it in the imperfect past tense (solía) and add an infinitive verb like pelear (to fight), it translates perfectly to "used to" or "would usually" do that action.

Question 3

Could I just say peleaba instead of solía pelear?

Accepted Answer

Yes! El animal peleaba can also mean "the animal used to fight." Using solía pelear just puts a little more emphasis on the fact that fighting was a repeated habit or a regular custom for the animal.

Question 4

Why is it era fuerte instead of fue fuerte?

Accepted Answer

We use the imperfect tense (era) because we are describing an ongoing physical characteristic in the past. There is no specific start or end time mentioned. When describing how things "were" or setting the scene, the imperfect is your go-to tense.

El cráneo era fuerte, puesto que el animal solía pelear.

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