Question 1

Why use como instead of si to say 'if' in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

In this context, como introduces a conditional clause of warning or threat. While si no vigilas just states a neutral condition (if you don't guard), como no vigiles carries a much stronger, threatening tone: 'If you don't guard the street (and you really better do it), there will be consequences!'

Question 2

Why is vigiles in the subjunctive mood?

Accepted Answer

When como is used to express a conditional warning or threat, it forces the verb into the subjunctive mood. If you were using si for a likely condition, you would use the present indicative (si no vigilas), but the como structure requires the subjunctive as a set rule for these types of warnings.

Question 3

Why is there a lo in lo vas a perder todo? Doesn't todo already mean 'everything'?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but in Spanish, whenever todo (everything) acts as the direct object of the sentence, it requires the direct object pronoun lo to be used as well. This is a mandatory redundancy in Spanish grammar. It literally translates to 'you are going to lose it everything.'

Question 4

Since there is an infinitive (perder), could I put the lo somewhere else?

Accepted Answer

Exactly! Because you have the verbal phrase vas a perder (a conjugated verb plus an infinitive), you can attach the pronoun directly to the end of the infinitive. Both lo vas a perder todo and vas a perderlo todo are completely correct and mean the exact same thing.

Como no vigiles la calle, lo vas a perder todo.

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