Breakdown of Puedo usar líneas finas o gruesas como digas.
o
or
poder
to be able to
la línea
the line
decir
to say / to tell
usar
to use
como
however, the way (manner, + subjunctive)
fino
fine (thin, delicate)
grueso
thick
Questions & Answers about Puedo usar líneas finas o gruesas como digas.
Why is the verb decir in the subjunctive (digas) here?
We use the subjunctive after como when we are talking about a manner or way of doing something that isn't known yet. Since the speaker doesn't know exactly how the other person will tell them to draw the lines, digas is in the present subjunctive.
Why is 'however' translated as como instead of a word like sin embargo?
Sin embargo means 'however' when it is used to show contrast, like 'I like it; however, it is expensive.' When 'however' means 'in whatever way' or 'as you wish', Spanish simply uses como.
Where does the form digas come from?
It is the tú (informal you) form of the present subjunctive of decir (to say/tell). To form it, you take the yo form of the present tense (digo), drop the '-o', and add the opposite ending for an '-ir' verb, which is '-as'.
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