Question 1

Why do we use "de los que" here instead of just "que" for "than"?

Accepted Answer

Because we are comparing a specific noun (kilovatios) to a following clause that has a conjugated verb (estimó). When we do this, "than" becomes de + definite article + que. Since kilovatios is masculine and plural, we use los, giving us de los que. If we were just comparing two nouns without a new verb, we would simply use que.

Question 2

Why not use "de lo que" instead?

Accepted Answer

You use de lo que when comparing an adjective, an adverb, or a general, abstract situation to a conjugated verb. But when you are comparing a specific noun like kilovatios, the article must match that noun's gender and number. Since kilovatios is masculine and plural, it requires de los que.

Question 3

Why is the subject "el técnico" placed after the verb "estimó"?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, it is very common and natural to put the verb before the subject inside relative or comparative clauses. While you could technically say de los que el técnico estimó, keeping the verb right next to que flows much better to native ears.

Question 4

How do we know "ahorramos" means "we saved" and not "we save"?

Accepted Answer

For regular -ar verbs, the nosotros form is identical in the present and the preterite (simple past) tenses. We know it means "saved" here entirely from context: because the other verb in the sentence, estimó, is in the past tense, it implies the whole event took place in the past.

Ahorramos menos kilovatios de los que estimó el técnico.

Breakdown of Ahorramos menos kilovatios de los que estimó el técnico.

Questions & Answers about Ahorramos menos kilovatios de los que estimó el técnico.

Learn Ahorramos menos kilovatios de los que estimó el técnico and more in Spanish