Question 1

How does using viene a ser change the meaning compared to just using es?

Accepted Answer

While es just states a simple fact ("is"), viene a ser is a summarizing phrase that translates to "amounts to," "comes out to be," or "ends up being." It shows that this is the final conclusion or result after looking at all the work and factors involved in the protection efforts.

Question 2

Why is the verb viene in the singular form when the sentence mentions both el coral and los peces?

Accepted Answer

The true subject of the sentence isn't the coral and the fish; it's the action of protecting them (proteger). Whenever an infinitive verb acts as a noun to be the subject of a sentence, it always takes a third-person singular verb.

Question 3

Why is there an un before mantenimiento caro when we wouldn't usually say "an expensive maintenance" in English?

Accepted Answer

In English, "maintenance" is generally uncountable, so we usually drop the "a/an." However, in Spanish, when you add a descriptive adjective (like caro) to an abstract noun, it is standard to use the indefinite article (un or una) to single out a specific type or instance of that noun.

Question 4

As a quick refresher, why do we use peces here instead of pescados?

Accepted Answer

Peces is the plural of pez, which refers to live, swimming fish in their natural habitat. Pescados refers to fish that have been caught and are usually intended for food. Since we are protecting them in the ocean, they are peces.

Proteger el coral y los peces viene a ser un mantenimiento caro.

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