Breakdown of Los postulantes apagarán la calculadora y cualquier dispositivo electrónico.
y
and
los
the (masculine plural)
la
the (feminine)
apagar
to turn off
el dispositivo
device
cualquiera
any (whichever) / anyone
el postulante
the applicant
electrónico
electronic
la calculadora
the calculator
Questions & Answers about Los postulantes apagarán la calculadora y cualquier dispositivo electrónico.
Why use the future tense (apagarán) instead of a direct command like apaguen?
This sentence uses the administrative or regulatory future. In formal rules, legal texts, and exam instructions, the simple future is often used to state what must or shall happen. It sounds more official, objective, and binding than a direct imperative.
Why does the sentence use la calculadora (the calculator) instead of sus calculadoras (their calculators)?
When giving a general instruction about an item that each person in a group has one of, Spanish typically uses a singular noun with a definite article (la calculadora) rather than a plural possessive (sus calculadoras). It conceptually means "each applicant will turn off their own calculator."
Why is it cualquier dispositivo rather than cualquiera dispositivo?
The word cualquiera (any) drops its final -a and becomes cualquier whenever it is placed directly in front of a singular noun. This apocope (dropping of the final letter) happens regardless of whether the noun is masculine, like dispositivo, or feminine.
What exactly is a postulante in this context?
A postulante is a broad term for anyone applying for a position, candidacy, or admission. While it often means a job applicant, the context of turning off calculators strongly implies these are candidates sitting for a standardized test or university entrance exam.
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