Question 1

Why is es in the indicative after mientras que?

Accepted Answer

In this sentence, mientras que is used to contrast two facts (meaning "whereas" or "while on the other hand"). Because it is declaring something that is currently true (today it is rare), it takes the indicative. If mientras were used to mean "as long as" referring to a hypothetical or future situation, it would trigger the subjunctive.

Question 2

Why do we use the imperfect tense (éramos, era) in the first half instead of the preterite?

Accepted Answer

The imperfect is used here because both verbs are describing ongoing background states in the past: being young (éramos jóvenes) and a custom being common (era común). Neither state is presented with a specific start or end point in this context.

Question 3

Does rara mean "weird" or "rare" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

It means "rare" (as in uncommon). While raro and rara frequently translate to "weird" or "strange" in everyday Spanish, the direct contrast with común (common) in this sentence makes it clear that we are talking about frequency, not how bizarre the custom is.

Question 4

Is the comma before mientras que mandatory?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is standard in written Spanish. When mientras que introduces a contrastive clause (meaning "whereas"), you place a comma before it to clearly separate the two opposing ideas.

Cuando éramos jóvenes, esa costumbre era común, mientras que hoy es rara.

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