Question 1

Why is it de los que instead of just que or de lo que?

Accepted Answer

When comparing a specific noun (kilovatios) to a clause with a conjugated verb (esperábamos), Spanish uses de + [definite article] + que. Because kilovatios is masculine plural, we use los. If we were comparing an abstract idea or an adjective, we would use the neutral de lo que.

Question 2

Why use the imperfect tense (esperábamos) instead of the preterite (esperamos) for "we expected"?

Accepted Answer

The expectation was an ongoing background state leading up to this point, which is exactly what the imperfect tense (esperábamos) describes. It contrasts with the preterite (consumimos), which states the final, completed fact of the consumption.

Question 3

Since consumimos is the same in both present and past tense, how do we know it means "we consumed" here?

Accepted Answer

Context! Because we are comparing the consumption to a past expectation (esperábamos), it logically refers to an action that is already complete. If we meant "this month we are consuming more than we expect," the second verb would also be in the present tense (de los que esperamos).

Question 4

I thought Spanish didn't use the letter "k". Why is it kilovatios and not "quilovatios"?

Accepted Answer

The letter "k" is rare in Spanish, but it is kept for international scientific prefixes (like kilo- in kilómetros or kilogramos) and some foreign loanwords. Native Spanish words usually rely on c or qu for that sound.

Este mes consumimos más kilovatios de los que esperábamos.

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