Question 1

How does lo que function in this sentence to create emphasis?

Accepted Answer

This sentence uses a pseudo-cleft structure to put a spotlight on a specific piece of information. The phrase lo que translates to what or the thing that. It takes a standard sentence like te recomiendo asar las verduras and shifts the focus directly onto the object, asar las verduras, by equating it to lo que te recomiendo.

Question 2

Can I change the word order and put lo que at the beginning of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Pseudo-cleft sentences like this are perfectly reversible. You could just as easily say lo que te recomiendo para la cena es asar las verduras. Both versions are natural, but starting with asar las verduras puts the emphasis immediately on the grilling rather than on the recommendation itself.

Question 3

Why is the English gerund grilling translated as the infinitive asar instead of asando?

Accepted Answer

In Spanish, when a verb acts as a noun to be the subject of the sentence, you must use the infinitive form, which is asar here. English often uses the -ing form for this, but Spanish reserves its gerund form, asando, strictly for ongoing actions like estoy asando (I am grilling).

Question 4

Why do we use para la cena instead of por la cena here?

Accepted Answer

We use para because it indicates purpose or destination. Here, the dinner is the intended purpose of the vegetables you are grilling. Using por would imply a cause, an exchange, or a duration, which does not fit the context of preparing food for a specific meal.

Asar las verduras es lo que te recomiendo para la cena.

Breakdown of Asar las verduras es lo que te recomiendo para la cena.

Questions & Answers about Asar las verduras es lo que te recomiendo para la cena.

Learn Asar las verduras es lo que te recomiendo para la cena and more in Spanish