Word
Llevan un mes sin revisar la manguera.
Meaning
They haven't checked the hose for a month.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of Llevan un mes sin revisar la manguera.
un
a, an (masculine)
el mes
the month
revisar
to check
sin
without
Questions & Answers about Llevan un mes sin revisar la manguera.
Why does this sentence use the present tense llevan when the English translation uses the present perfect 'haven't checked'?
To express how long a situation has been going on, Spanish often uses the formula llevar (in the present tense) + time period + sin + infinitive. While English uses the present perfect ('haven't checked') for an action that hasn't happened in a while, Spanish views the state of 'not doing it' as an ongoing condition that is actively continuing in the present.
Why is the infinitive revisar used here instead of a conjugated verb?
In Spanish, whenever a verb immediately follows a preposition like sin (without), de (of/from), or para (for/in order to), it must remain in its infinitive form. Here, sin revisar literally translates to 'without checking.'
How would I apply this lesson's topic to say 'Maybe they haven't checked the hose for a month'?
You can add an adverb of doubt like tal vez or quizá to the beginning of the sentence. If you think it is highly likely that they haven't checked it, you keep the indicative: Tal vez llevan un mes sin revisar la manguera. If you are just guessing and feel more doubt, change the verb to the subjunctive: Tal vez lleven un mes sin revisar la manguera.
How would the sentence change if I wanted to say they HAVE been checking the hose for a month?