Question 1

Why is it me acuerdo de instead of just recuerdo?

Accepted Answer

Both mean "to remember", but they are structured differently. Acordarse is pronominal and requires the preposition de (me acuerdo de los pulpos). Recordar is a standard transitive verb and doesn't use a preposition (recuerdo los pulpos). You can use either one interchangeably in this context.

Question 2

Why is there an a before las focas in alimento a las focas?

Accepted Answer

The "personal a" is typically used for people, but it is also used for animals when they are specific, individualized, or when the speaker feels a connection to them (like pets or zoo animals). Since the speaker is feeding a specific group of seals they care for, the personal a is required here.

Question 3

Since cuando often triggers the subjunctive, why is alimento in the indicative?

Accepted Answer

We only use the subjunctive after cuando when talking about a pending, future, or uncompleted action. Because this sentence describes a routine or habitual action (as shown by the word Siempre), it correctly uses the present indicative (alimento).

Question 4

Could I say cuando les doy de comer instead of cuando alimento a?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dar de comer is a very natural and common alternative to alimentar. Just keep in mind that if you use it, the seals act as the indirect object (the ones receiving the food), so you would need the indirect object pronoun les: cuando les doy de comer a las focas.

Siempre me acuerdo de los pulpos cuando alimento a las focas.

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